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NFI Names Lisa Wallenda Picard Incoming President and CEO

NFI President and CEO Lisa PicardWashington, D.C. (November 14, 2022) – The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) recently named their new incoming President and CEO, Lisa Wallenda Picard, effective December 5.

Picard is an association executive with nearly a decade of experience with the US Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, and most recently 11 years at the National Turkey Federation (NTF).

Originally hired for NTF as Vice President for Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, Picard was promoted to Senior Vice President for Trade, Policy and Regulatory Affairs. Before joining NTF, Picard enjoyed a nine-year tenure with the US Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service. She worked her way up at the USDA to the role of Chief of Staff for the Food Safety and Inspection Service, where she worked daily to advance the mission to ensure meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled.

Picard received a master’s degree in legislative affairs from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Flagler College in Saint Augustine, Florida. She is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School for Executive Education. Picard is a native of Sarasota, Florida, and resides in Virginia with her family.

About NFI

NFI is a nonprofit industry trade association focused on promoting sustainable and affordable seafood as the daily protein food choice for feeding the world. From vessels at sea to seafood restaurants, NFI’s diverse member companies bring fish and shellfish “water to table.” With members from all areas of the seafood industry’s supply chain, NFI’s mission is to create an environment for its members to sell more seafood more profitably.

NFI and its members are committed to the sustainable management of our oceans and being stewards of our environment by endorsing the United Nations Principles for Responsible Fisheries. Investment in our oceans today will provide our children and future generations the enjoyment and health benefits of a plentiful supply of fish and seafood tomorrow. From responsible aquaculture to a marketplace supporting free trade, to ensuring the media and consumers have the facts about the health benefits of fish and shellfish, NFI and its members support and promote sound public policy grounded in science.

About SMA

Sterling Martin Associates is a leading, specialty national search firm conducting chief executive-level searches for associations and nonprofit organizations. SMA has built an outstanding reputation by providing impeccable service to clients and by placing exceptional talent in associations and nonprofits. Based in Washington, DC, SMA has offices in New York, Chicago, Orange County, CA, and Portland, OR.

Founding the firm in 2006 with a mission to combine his search expertise with nonprofit board experience, David Martin now leads a highly experienced, diverse team of 15, combining in-depth client analysis with the latest search technologies to create effective, personalized searches. Since the day he founded the firm, David has personally taken a leadership role with every search, for every client.