PR85924

SINGAPORE, Oct. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

-- Key appointment to advance Dole Promise to make nutritious foods accessible

for 1 billion people, while reducing fruit loss, emissions and eliminating

fossil-based plastic waste by 2025.

Dole Worldwide Packaged Foods has appointed Dr Lara Ramdin, as Chief Innovation

Officer, further strengthening the company's innovation capabilities in support

of The Dole Promise which seeks to increase access to nutritious food across the world.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1306287/Dole_Galante_Dizon_Ramdin.jpg 

Dr Ramdin, who will be based at Dole's Westlake Village campus, California, US,

has an extensive global track record in R&D, product development and innovation

within leading organizations including Unilever, Estee Lauder and Molson Coors

Beverages Company.  Having studied Applied Biology at the University of

Cardiff, she went on to gain a doctorate in immunology at the University of

Southampton before moving into corporate R&D/innovation leadership roles and

latterly as a consultant to small businesses and start-ups. Dr Ramdin is a

passionate innovator, a design thinking practitioner and trainer, and believes

in using empathy to unlock unique solutions. She is a fierce advocate for young

women in STEM which she exercises through her mentor roles in both The Girls'

Network and 1MMentors organizations and as Sponsorship Director and board

member for the not-for-profit organization Irish Film London.

Pier Luigi Sigismondi, President of Dole Packaged Foods, LLC, said today that

Dr Ramdin's appointment underlines Dole's commitment to building a long-lasting

and iconic wellness and nutrition company, capable of meeting the many

challenges of today's uncertain environment.

"Now more than ever before, we must look to develop new solutions and new

approaches to the increasing demand for healthy, affordable food which will

nourish current and future generations. Lara has built an enviable reputation

as a strategic innovator, capable of challenging established thinking to open

up new opportunities and products.  At a time when we are looking to reduce

food waste, to reach more consumers with nutritious products and to eliminate

fossil-based packaging, her talent and track record will bring additional

energy and focus to our innovation effort."

Dr Ramdin, who will report directly to Mr Sigismondi as a key member of his

core leadership team, says she is delighted to join Dole and to be able

contribute to a meaningful mission such as sustainable nutrition/zero waste,

and to be the driving force of innovation needed in these areas.

"I admire Dole's values and determination to build brands which benefit people

and the planet, while creating sustainable returns for all of its stakeholders.

I am particularly excited by the innovation agenda and Dole's (and Pier

Luigi's) commitment to that. I look forward to helping the company achieve its

purpose and vision," said Dr Ramdin.

Mr Sigismondi also notes that Dr Ramdin's appointment comes hot on the heels of

establishing an all-star women leadership team on both product and category

development, who will work closely with Dr Ramdin. Kimberly Galante has taken

on a Global Product Development role and Peewee Dizon the leadership of Global

Category Development as Mr. Sigismondi pulls together key leadership teams to

deliver on the Dole Promise launched earlier this year.

About Dole Packaged Foods, LLC

Dole Packaged Foods, LLC, is a world leader in growing, sourcing, distributing

and marketing fruit and healthy snacks. Dole sells a full-line of packaged

shelf stable fruit, frozen fruit, dried fruit, and juices. The company focuses

on four pillars of sustainability in all of its operations: water management,

carbon footprint, soil conservation and waste reduction.

For more information please visit dolesunshine.com or sunshineforall.com    

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/152677/dole_packaged_foods_logo.jpg 

SOURCE:  Dole Packaged Foods, LLC

CONTACT: Melissa Vigue

         mvigue@peppercomm.com