-- Key appointment to advance Dole Promise to make nutritious foods accessible 
for 1 billion people, while reducing fruit loss, emissions and eliminating 
fossil-based plastic waste by 2025. 

Dole Worldwide Packaged Foods has appointed Dr Lara Ramdin, as Chief Innovation 
Officer, further strengthening the company's innovation capabilities in support 
of The Dole Promise which seeks to increase access to nutritious food across 
the world.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1306287/Dole_Galante_Dizon_Ramdin.jpg
 
Dr Ramdin, who will be based at Dole's Westlake Village campus, California, US, 
has an extensive global track record in R&D, product development and innovation 
within leading organizations including Unilever, Estee Lauder and Molson Coors 
Beverages Company.  Having studied Applied Biology at the University of 
Cardiff, she went on to gain a doctorate in immunology at the University of 
Southampton before moving into corporate R&D/innovation leadership roles and 
latterly as a consultant to small businesses and start-ups. Dr Ramdin is a 
passionate innovator, a design thinking practitioner and trainer, and believes 
in using empathy to unlock unique solutions. She is a fierce advocate for young 
women in STEM which she exercises through her mentor roles in both The Girls' 
Network and 1MMentors organizations and as Sponsorship Director and board 
member for the not-for-profit organization Irish Film London.

Pier Luigi Sigismondi, President of Dole Packaged Foods, LLC, said today that 
Dr Ramdin's appointment underlines Dole's commitment to building a long-lasting 
and iconic wellness and nutrition company, capable of meeting the many 
challenges of today's uncertain environment.

"Now more than ever before, we must look to develop new solutions and new 
approaches to the increasing demand for healthy, affordable food which will 
nourish current and future generations. Lara has built an enviable reputation 
as a strategic innovator, capable of challenging established thinking to open 
up new opportunities and products.  At a time when we are looking to reduce 
food waste, to reach more consumers with nutritious products and to eliminate 
fossil-based packaging, her talent and track record will bring additional 
energy and focus to our innovation effort."

Dr Ramdin, who will report directly to Mr Sigismondi as a key member of his 
core leadership team, says she is delighted to join Dole and to be able 
contribute to a meaningful mission such as sustainable nutrition/zero waste, 
and to be the driving force of innovation needed in these areas.

"I admire Dole's values and determination to build brands which benefit people 
and the planet, while creating sustainable returns for all of its stakeholders. 
I am particularly excited by the innovation agenda and Dole's (and Pier 
Luigi's) commitment to that. I look forward to helping the company achieve its 
purpose and vision," said Dr Ramdin.

Mr Sigismondi also notes that Dr Ramdin's appointment comes hot on the heels of 
establishing an all-star women leadership team on both product and category 
development, who will work closely with Dr Ramdin. Kimberly Galante has taken 
on a Global Product Development role and Peewee Dizon the leadership of Global 
Category Development as Mr. Sigismondi pulls together key leadership teams to 
deliver on the Dole Promise launched earlier this year.

About Dole Packaged Foods, LLC 
Dole Packaged Foods, LLC, is a world leader in growing, sourcing, distributing 
and marketing fruit and healthy snacks. Dole sells a full-line of packaged 
shelf stable fruit, frozen fruit, dried fruit, and juices. The company focuses 
on four pillars of sustainability in all of its operations: water management, 
carbon footprint, soil conservation and waste reduction. For more information 
please visit dolesunshine.com or sunshineforall.com  

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/152677/dole_packaged_foods_logo.jpg

SOURCE:  Dole Packaged Foods, LLC

CONTACT: Melissa Vigue
         mvigue@peppercomm.com