International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) has announced a significant transformation in its executive leadership team. These changes align with the company’s new external reporting structure, marking an important milestone in IFF’s ongoing strategic evolution. As part of these organizational shifts, Simon Herriott, President of Health and Biosciences, will step down after over two decades of dedicated service. The company has also announced key leadership appointments to drive its mission forward.
Leadership Transition in Health and Biosciences
Simon Herriott has played a crucial role in advancing IFF’s Health and Biosciences division, leveraging innovation, customer relationships, and supply chain enhancements to strengthen the business. Under his leadership, the division expanded its influence across various markets, integrating groundbreaking biotechnological solutions into food, health, and industrial applications.
As Herriott steps down, Leticia Gonçalves, formerly President of Precision Fermentation and ADM Ventures at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), will take on the role of President, Health and Biosciences, effective March 1. Gonçalves brings extensive expertise in P&L leadership, strategic development, and innovation-driven business models. Having held leadership positions at ADM, Bayer, and Monsanto across multiple regions, she has a deep understanding of global market trends, customer demands, and emerging industry innovations.
Welcoming Leticia Gonçalves to IFF
Erik Fyrwald, CEO of IFF, expressed confidence in Gonçalves’ ability to lead the Health and Biosciences division into its next phase of growth.
“Since 2019, Simon has driven growth and operational effectiveness through innovation, customer intimacy, and supply chain development as President of our Health and Biosciences business unit,” Fyrwald stated. “We’re grateful for Simon’s tremendous contributions to IFF and wish him well for the future. His dedication and leadership will leave a lasting impact on our organization.”
Fyrwald also emphasized Gonçalves’ strengths:
“We’re excited to welcome Leticia to IFF. Her extensive experience driving P&L growth in innovation-led businesses and accelerating high-performing teams—coupled with her knowledge of our end markets—will be a great addition to our leadership team. I’m confident Leticia will continue to build on our cutting-edge biotechnology platform of probiotics, cultures, and enzymes and drive our next phase of business growth.”
With a background in biotechnology, food security, and supply chain resilience, Gonçalves has been instrumental in shaping new ventures and driving sustainability initiatives. Her leadership at ADM helped foster innovation in specialty ingredients and food solutions, ensuring enhanced value creation across multiple sectors. As a board member of Emerson Electric, she has also contributed to broader industry advancements.
New Leadership in Food Ingredients
Alongside the transition in Health and Biosciences, IFF has welcomed Andy Muller as President of Food Ingredients. Muller joined IFF in December 2024, bringing an extensive track record in food ingredient innovation, supply chain optimization, and business expansion. His most recent role as President of Functional Ingredients and Solutions at Corbion involved overseeing businesses in bakery, meat, dairy, confectionery, beverage industries, pet food, and biochemicals.
Muller’s career also includes 12 years with Danisco, later part of DuPont’s Nutrition and Health business. There, he focused on refining product portfolios, enhancing organizational capabilities, and fortifying core market applications. His expertise in food technology, regulatory frameworks, and ingredient sourcing will play a pivotal role in IFF’s continued leadership in the specialty ingredients sector.
“Andy’s deep experience in food ingredients and knowledge of our business will support our focus to deliver growth in our specialty ingredients business and increased value to our customers. We’re excited to have him on board as we continue to grow and innovate.”
With Muller at the helm, IFF aims to strengthen its position in the specialty ingredients market, offering cutting-edge solutions that cater to evolving consumer preferences and industry demands. His strategic leadership will focus on enhancing IFF’s ingredient capabilities, supporting food manufacturers in delivering high-quality, innovative products.
Realignment of Key Leadership Roles
In addition to the new appointments, IFF has made further refinements to its executive structure:
- Yuvraj Arora, previously President of Nourish, has now assumed the role of President, Taste and Chief Commercial Officer. Arora’s leadership will be instrumental in driving commercial strategy, strengthening customer engagement, and fostering innovative taste solutions.
- Ana Paula Mendonça continues as President, Scent, leading the fragrance division with a focus on sustainable product development and consumer-driven innovation.
- Angela Strzelecki remains President, Pharma Solutions, overseeing IFF’s contributions to pharmaceutical advancements, including excipients, drug delivery technologies, and specialty ingredients.
Comprehensive Leadership Team
IFF’s executive leadership team now comprises:
- Erik Fyrwald – CEO
- Michael DeVeau – EVP, Chief Financial Officer
- Yuvraj Arora – President, Taste and Chief Commercial Officer
- Ana Paula Mendonça – President, Scent
- Leticia Gonçalves – President, Health & Biosciences
- Andy Muller – President, Food Ingredients
- Angela Strzelecki – President, Pharma Solutions
- Deborah Borg – EVP, Chief People & Culture Officer
- Ralph Finzel – EVP, Global Operations Officer
- Vic Verma – EVP, Chief Information Officer
- Jennifer Johnson – EVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
- Steve Landsman – EVP, Business Development
Strategic Vision for the Future
IFF’s leadership restructuring is designed to optimize the company’s strategic focus areas—innovation, sustainability, and customer-centric solutions. The realignment of executive roles aims to streamline operations, enhance synergies across business units, and accelerate growth in key markets.
IFF continues to prioritize sustainable innovation, leveraging biotechnology, natural ingredients, and advanced food science to meet the growing demand for health-conscious, environmentally friendly products. By fostering collaboration across its divisions, the company is poised to introduce cutting-edge solutions in flavors, fragrances, nutrition, and biosciences.
The new leadership team is expected to drive IFF’s next wave of transformation, capitalizing on emerging trends in food technology, functional ingredients, biotechnology applications, and global consumer preferences. The appointments of Gonçalves and Muller highlight IFF’s commitment to bringing experienced, industry-leading talent to guide its ambitious growth trajectory.
