WASHINGTON — The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) introduced its new manager for trade and economic policy, Elena Clark.

The organization said Clark’s responsibilities will involve informing, overseeing and implementing trade policies and economic strategies that support growth for the United States dairy industry, as well as member company priorities.

Set to begin in her IDFA role on May 12, Clark previously worked for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations as a legislative affairs and economics specialist for North America. With FAO, Clark led legislative strategy with a focus on US Congress and Canadian Parliament, providing synthesized market and trade data, and international food standards.

At IDFA, Clark will report to Becky Rasdall Vargas, senior vice president, trade and workforce policy. 

“Trade and economic policy continue to play a crucial role in driving the long-term success of the US dairy industry and remain core priorities for IDFA,” Vargas said. “We're excited to welcome Elena to our team in Washington, DC, to support us in those efforts. Her expertise and dedication will strengthen our work and help us provide even more value to our members."

Clark earned a master’s degree in international economic policy with a focus on agricultural trade at George Washington University. She served a graduate internship for the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service in Tokyo. Clark’s experience also includes time on Capitol Hill working in the offices of Rep. Greg Steube (Fla.) and former Rep. Lou Barletta (Pa.), where she focused on agriculture, trade, environment and energy policy issues.