Gail Barnes is vice president of business development – fluid innovation for Dairy Management Inc. (DMI). In this position, she works on behalf of the office of the CEO and is responsible for leading the ongoing development and execution of DMI’s fluid milk growth platform, with specific focus on fluid milk innovation and availability. As a national media spokesperson, Barnes can provide valuable perspective on innovation priorities for the U.S. dairy industry and explain how product and packaging innovation is paramount to meeting unmet consumer demand for dairy products.

Barnes is a multilingual business development and strategic marketing professional with 18 years international dairy industry experience. Her competencies include knowledge of the global liquid dairy product and packaging industries across the value chain including packed product innovation, processing and packaging technologies, brand development, consumer marketing and consumer and retail trends.

Prior to joining DMI, Barnes was responsible for business development of the Tetra Pak Chilled Carton Systems, part of the Tetra Pak Group, the world’s largest aseptic packaging manufacturer for liquid foods and beverages. She also held positions in environmental affairs, communication and strategic business development with Tetra Pak Group, serving in its corporate headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Barnes, who is South African-born and -educated, earned a master’s degree in biology, and a doctorate in applied chemistry (food science division) from University of Natal. She also holds a Master of Business Leadership from the School of Business Leadership at University of South Africa. Barnes has received a number of academic awards, including the University of South Africa Gold Medal as top student in her class. She is a recognized expert on consumer trends and product and packaging innovation and has spoken at numerous international and national conferences on these subjects.

In her free time Barnes enjoys reading technology-innovation-oriented magazines like WIRED, gardening and going for long walks with her husband, John.