The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), a trade association representing the dietary supplement and functional foods industry, recently announced its hiring of strategic communications expert Kendall Ridley as the organization’s senior director of communications. Ridley will report to Brian Wommack, CRN’s senior vice president of communications, and will be responsible for spearheading the association’s strategic communications program, building key partnerships, and crafting consumer education and advocacy campaigns for CRN
 
“Kendall brings extensive integrated communications strategies experience to our association,” CRN president and CEO Steve Mister said. “With her comes an innovative and fresh approach to CRN’s communications efforts. We are thrilled to have her on board to support and enrich CRN’s top initiatives and to help serve and protect the reputation of our industry.”
 
Most recently, Ridley worked as a senior manager of external communication at commercial property company CoStar Group, where she led reputation management efforts, secured tier one media coverage for the company’s business units, crafted communications campaigns for lead generation, and developed strategies and content for integrated marketing campaigns for flagship brands CoStar and LoopNet.
 
Prior to CoStar Group, Ms. Ridley held multiple roles, including director of marketing and communications for Halpern Enterprises, Inc. from 2014-2017. During her time there, she expanded the marketing team and its capabilities, introduced the company’s first strategic marketing communications plan, secured media coverage for the firm’s new development projects, and led branding work for new mixed-use shopping centers. More recently, Ridley was a director of marketing for AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) and a marketing communications consultant at the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC).
 
“CRN is the recognized leader in the dietary supplement industry, and I’m elated to be joining the association,” Ridley said. “CRN’s track record of proactive leadership and willingness to challenge the status quo are what drew me to this opportunity. I’m honored to be part of such an outstanding team.”
 
Ridley holds the PCM (Professional Certified Marketer) designation in marketing management form the American Marketing Association. She earned her B.A. in Communication from George Mason University, and is in the process of earning her master’s degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communication from Georgetown University.