About Us
The Philadelphia Section IFT is one of 47 regional sections of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)- a global organization of about 15,000 individual members from more than 100 countries committed to advancing the science of food. Since 1939, IFT has brought together the brightest minds in food science, technology, and related professions from academia, government, and industry to solve the world’s greatest food challenges. Our organization works to ensure that our members have the resources they need to learn, grow, and advance the science of food as the population and the world evolve. We believe that science is essential to ensuring a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all.
For more information about IFT including events, resources, publications, and membership, please visit ift.org.
2025-2026 Officers
Our 2025-2026 Section Officers and Directors are listed below:
Brittany Lisanti
President
Tastepoint by IFF
Brittany is an Account Manager at Tastepoint by IFF, where she enjoys engaging with customers and helping them bring their innovative ideas to life! Originally from Pittsburgh, she graduated from Cornell University in 2016 with a Bachelor's Degree in Food Science. At the beginning of her career, she held roles in product development and project management, but ultimately found sales to be her calling. When she's not networking, she loves traveling, baking, and spending time with her dog, Charlie. She's honored to soon step into her presidential term, and is looking forward to what the next IFT calendar year holds.
Fun Fact: She has a keen ability to recognize most songs within the first five seconds, so let her know if you ever need another team member for music trivia!
You can find Brittany online on LinkedIn
Zhixin Wang
Past President
Puratos
Zhixin is the Food Technology Research Manager (Upstream Research) for North America Market at Puratos. She completed her Ph.D. at Cornell University in Food Science and Technology, with a major focus on biotechnology, dairy science and a minor in applied economics in December 2022. As a proud Chinese Canadian growing up in Montreal, she is fully trilingual in Chinese (Mandarin), French and English. Having obtained a B.Sc. degree in Food Science (specializing in Food Chemistry) from McGill University in 2017, she has had the pleasure to lead multiple food development teams throughout her studies and is experienced with product development and sensory evaluation. As a true foodie, she LOVES experimenting with new foods and recipes.
Fun Fact: As of Spring 2025, she has 10 (!!!) pets; 2 cats, 1 puppy, 6 chickens and a sourdough starter.
You can find Zhixin online on LinkedIn
Susan Mayer
Secretary
Retired - RTI Innovation Advisors
Susan spent over 30 years managing product development, sensory evaluation, and quality system groups in food companies including HJ Heinz and Campbell Soup Company. In 2023 Susan retired as RTI Innovation Advisors’ technical food and agriculture industry lead and currently teaches entrepreneurship at Rowan University’s School of Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
You can find Susan online on LinkedIn
Juzhong Tan
Director-at-Large
University of Delaware
Dr. Juzhong Tan is an Assistant Professor of Food Engineering and Product Development in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at the University of Delaware. He also serves as the Director of the Food Sensory, Characterization, and Novel Processing Service Center at UD. The center supports a wide range of industry and academic needs, offering services in product development, manufacturing, quality and safety control, and the advancement of innovative food processing technologies. My research goal is to integrate novel multidisciplinary technologies into food production and improve the safety and sustainability of the food supply chain from farm to table.
You can find Dr. Juzhong online on LinkedIn
Catherine Templeton
President-Elect
Quality/Food Safety Consultant
Catherine (Cathy) Templeton is retired after spending more than 40 years in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries in primarily quality control/ assurance / systems roles leveraging her B.A. biology/chemistry and MS in chemistry. Employers have included Kraft starting as a package engineer technician, Avon, Nabisco, progressing to Director/VP of Quality roles at Nutrasweet, Monsanto, E&J Gallo, SPI Polyols/Pharma, Ottens Flavors, Treasury Wine Estates, Tate & Lyle and Finlays. I have had the joy of working with wonderful colleagues from coast to coast and applying quality principles to ingredients and consumer products. What fun it has been! I look forward to helping grow our next generation of IFT leaders.
You can find Cathy online on LinkedIn
Susan Tracey
Treasurer
Commercial Creamery
I sort of “fell” into the food ingredient industry and have worked in this field for 40 years! I began at Ottens Flavors (now Tastepoint by IFF) in Customer Service, Export and Marketing and after 27 years, I moved onto J&J Snack Foods in their Marketing and Tech Services division. Both great experiences! I now work in Sales for THE BEST dry dairy provider in the US, Commercial Creamery! I consider this position the “icing on the cake” in terms of my experience…so much fun and I absolutely adore our customers! I’m a big fan of our local IFTs and I’m proud to serve alongside the rest of the Philly IFT team!
You can find Susan online on LinkedIn
Iswarya Ramakrishnan
Director-at-Large
Acme-Hardesty
Iswarya Ramakrishnan is the Technical Services and Application Manager at Acme-Hardesty. In her Technical Services role, she supports food companies from concept to commercialization—guiding product development and driving the successful application of new ingredients in real-world formulations. With a Master’s degree in Food Science and experience spanning R&D, ingredient applications, and supplier scouting, she brings a systems-level perspective to food innovation. Originally from India and now based in Philadelphia, she has worked across global food value chains. She’s passionate about building healthier, more equitable food systems and is especially drawn to the intersection of food science, sustainability, and public health. She has also collaborated with upcycled ingredient companies and volunteered in large-scale community kitchens—experiences that continue to inspire her mission-driven approach to food.
Fun Fact: She never travels without hunting for where she’s going to eat all her meals, and scoping out every local coffee shop along the way.
You can find Iswarya online at: LinkedIn
Get Involved in the Volunteer Program
IFT sections offer a great way to network with other food science and technology professionals. Each section is an extension of IFT that boasts a unique flavor catering to the professional fields represented in a geographic region.
There are a variety of opportunities to make an impact, whether you’re interested in a one time, short-term, or a longer-term commitment. Talk to any of our current section leaders about your interest in volunteering or reach out to the office at phillyift@gmail.com.
