IDFA Expands Government Relations Team with New Director of PAC & Political Affairs

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today announced that Elizabeth “Liz” Demorest has joined the organization as director of PAC & political affairs, further strengthening the association’s advocacy and political engagement efforts on behalf of the U.S. dairy industry.

Demorest’s appointment is the latest step in IDFA’s broader effort to expand its advocacy capacity at the federal and state levels and grow the dairy industry’s political footprint in Washington and across the country. Over the past year, IDFA has significantly grown its government relations team, expanded its state advocacy presence, launched its Rapid Response Advocates for Dairy (RRAD) grassroots network, and enhanced its political engagement strategy to deliver greater value to members and increase dairy’s influence with policymakers.

In this role, Demorest will lead IDFA’s PAC strategy and political engagement efforts, including PAC fundraising, donor engagement, compliance, member activation and political events. Reporting to Chelsie Keys, IDFA’s senior vice president of government relations, Demorest will work closely with the government relations team to align political engagement with the association’s federal and state advocacy priorities while creating more opportunities for members to build meaningful relationships with policymakers through congressional fly-ins, district meetings, political events, digital advocacy campaigns and other advocacy initiatives.

“Building a stronger, more impactful PAC is one of IDFA’s highest advocacy priorities,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of IDFA. “Liz’s experience in political engagement and PAC management will help us expand dairy’s political influence and strengthen relationships with policymakers. As IDFA works to ensure dairy has a more influential voice in Washington and in state capitals across the country, Liz’s leadership will help our growing advocacy operation deliver greater value and stronger results for our members.”

“Effective advocacy requires building strong, trusted relationships with policymakers,” said Demorest. “I’m excited to join IDFA at a pivotal time as the association continues to strengthen its political engagement efforts and grow its PAC. I look forward to working with Chelsie, the IDFA government relations team, the Board and our members to strengthen dairy’s voice in Washington and across the country.”

Demorest brings more than 15 years of experience in PAC and grassroots advocacy management. Most recently, she served as Associate Director, Political Engagement at the American Academy of Dermatology Association, where she led the association’s political action, grassroots and external affairs initiatives, oversaw PAC fundraising campaigns and managed the annual legislative fly-in. She previously held PAC and grassroots advocacy roles at the American College of Emergency Physicians, the National Association of Realtors and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Demorest earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ohio University and holds a Certificate in PAC Management from the Public Affairs Council. She grew up on a cattle farm in Ohio and began her early career supporting agricultural events and local farmer membership through the Marion County Agricultural Society.