Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin executive brings more than 25 years of marketing and brand-building experience to the association’s board leadership.
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) has named Suzanne Fanning, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, chair of its board of directors.
Fanning, who has served on the IDDBA board since 2017 and most recently held the position of executive vice chair, was named chair during the association’s Annual Business Meeting in Chicago. She will continue in her leadership role at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin while serving as IDDBA chair.
“Suzanne brings an uncommon combination of strategic vision, creativity and a deep understanding of both consumers and our industry,” said Paul Ziemnisky, president and CEO of IDDBA. “She knows how to turn consumer insights into breakthrough marketing programs, build communities around food, and bring people together around shared opportunities.”
Fanning assumes the board leadership role as IDDBA continues to expand its work across the dairy, deli, bakery and foodservice sectors. The association represents more than 1,500 member companies, ranging from independent businesses to major retailers, manufacturers and suppliers. Its 2026 trade show in Orlando attracted more than 11,000 attendees and a record 1,019 exhibiting companies.
Fanning joined Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin in 2017 and has led the organization’s marketing efforts around Wisconsin Cheese, including consumer outreach designed to connect dairy farmers and cheesemakers more directly with shoppers.
According to IDDBA, those programs have generated more than $100 million in earned media value in a single year, increased social media engagement by 4,000% and moved Wisconsin Cheese from page 96 to page one in Google search results. IDDBA said Wisconsin Cheese sales growth has outpaced the overall cheese category by 15 times.
Fanning also founded Cheeselandia, Wisconsin Cheese’s consumer advocacy community, and more recently led the launch of the Born to Dairy campaign highlighting Wisconsin dairy farmers.
“Dairy, deli and bakery have something marketers spend their careers trying to create: genuine love,” Fanning said. “These are foods people crave, celebrate, share and build traditions around.”
She added that the industry has an opportunity to convert that consumer connection into growth by responding to changing shopper preferences, embracing new ideas and keeping the people and products behind the categories relevant to younger generations.
Fanning has more than 25 years of marketing and brand-building experience. She has been recognized by PRNEWS as a PR Woman of the Year in the Changemaker category, while programs developed under her leadership have received honors from the Association of National Advertisers.
Her appointment also comes shortly after a leadership change at IDDBA. Paul Ziemnisky joined the association as president and CEO in September following more than three decades of experience in the consumer packaged goods and retail industries.