10 Conagra Brands R&D leaders
VP R&D, Senior Director, Research & Development and Director, Research and Development, Food Service are among the current titles held by these Conagra Brands R&D leaders, who hold product development, protein, food service and external manufacturing R&D roles at the company. A reader can learn how R&D leaders work at Conagra Brands from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Andrew Wassinger
LinkedInExperience: R&D Director · Conagra Brands
Andrew Wassinger has been R&D Director at Conagra Brands since May 2021, based in Omaha, Nebraska, and describes the work of a product developer as combining food and science. Andrew Wassinger was Manager R&D at Conagra Brands from 2017 to 2021, Senior Food Scientist there from 2014 to 2017 and Food Scientist from 2011 to 2014.
Attalee Brix
LinkedInExperience: Director, Protein Development · Conagra Brands
Attalee Brix has been Director, Protein Development at Conagra Brands since June 2025, based in Omaha, Nebraska. Attalee Brix was Director of Research Development at Conagra Brands from 2021 to 2025, Director Of Packaging there from 2019 to 2021 and Director of R&D Productivity from 2017 to 2019.
Bridgette Kaechele
LinkedInExperience: Director of Research Development · Conagra Brands
Bridgette Kaechele has been Director of Research Development at Conagra Brands since March 2025, based in Chicago, Illinois, with a profile headline of Meat Snacks R&D director @ Conagra Brands. Bridgette Kaechele was R&D Process Engineering Manager at Conagra Brands from 2024 to 2025 and R&D Product Development Manager, New Product Development there from 2021 to 2024.
Chris Puno
LinkedInExperience: Director R&D External Manufacturing · Conagra Brands
Chris Puno has been Director R&D External Manufacturing at Conagra Brands since April 2019, based in the New York City Metropolitan Area, and describes acting as a liaison between product development, packaging and engineering. Chris Puno was Director R&D External Manufacturing at Pinnacle Foods from 2010 to 2019 and Principal Food Scientist at Unilever from 1999 to 2008.
Christina Foster
LinkedInExperience: Director of Research & Development · Conagra Brands
Christina Foster has been Director of Research & Development at Conagra Brands since May 2025, based in the Denver Metropolitan Area, with a profile headline about leading R&D for gluten-free products and solutions. Christina Foster was Director, S&R Innovation and PLM at The Hershey Company from 2022 to 2025 and Sr. R&D Manager - Sweets & Refreshment Innovation and PLM there from 2020 to 2022.
Karen Black
LinkedInExperience: VP R&D · Conagra Brands
Karen Black has been VP R&D at Conagra Brands since August 2022, based in Omaha, Nebraska. Karen Black was Sr. Director R&D at Conagra Brands from 2018 to 2022, Sr. Director R&D at TreeHouse Foods from 2016 to 2018 and Director R&D at Conagra Brands from 2005 to 2016.
Lora Slade
LinkedInExperience: Director, Research and Development, Food Service · Conagra Brands
Lora Slade has been Director, Research and Development, Food Service at Conagra Brands since July 2018, based in Louisville, Kentucky. Lora Slade was Director, Research and Development, McDonald's Business Unit at Conagra Brands from 2013 to 2018, Senior Food Scientist there from 2012 to 2013 and Associate Manager - Food Innovation at LJS Partners, LLC from 2011 to 2012.
Michelle Kavanagh
LinkedInExperience: Director, R&D Portfolio Management · Conagra Brands
Michelle Kavanagh has been Director, R&D Portfolio Management at Conagra Brands since March 2024, based in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Michelle Kavanagh was Manager, R&D at Conagra Brands from 2019 to 2024, Sr. Director of Research & Development at Kahala Brands from 2017 to 2019 and Director of Technical Services at Karlin Foods from 2013 to 2016.
Stacey Popham
LinkedInExperience: VP R&D, Food and Process Design · Conagra Brands
Stacey Popham is a former VP R&D, Food and Process Design at Conagra Brands, a role held from 2024 to 2026, and has been VP FSQRA at Conagra Brands since May 2026, based in the Greater Chicago Area. Stacey Popham was SVP Global Quality, Food Safety and Regulatory at Barry Callebaut Group from 2022 to 2024.
Travis Campbell
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director, Research & Development · Conagra Brands
Travis Campbell has been Senior Director, Research & Development at Conagra Brands since March 2024, based in the Omaha Metropolitan Area. Travis Campbell was Director, Research & Development at Conagra Brands from 2020 to 2024, Manager, Research & Development there from 2017 to 2020 and Senior Food Process Engineer, Research & Development at Eat Just, Inc. from 2016 to 2017.
Choose the right perspective
Pick the person whose own R&D area, such as food service, meat snacks, protein or external manufacturing, sits closest to the decision you face. Check the start and end dates of each role to see how recent the experience is.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What did you focus on first when you took on your current R&D role, and what did you learn from it?
- 02How do you decide which product development projects your team takes forward and which ones you stop?
- 03How have you built and developed the R&D team that reports to you?
Reaching Conagra Brands R&D leaders
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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