Kathy La Macchia is the General Manager of the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council (GLNC), bringing over 20 years of experience in the food and nutrition industry.

Before returning to Sydney, she held various roles across the United States and Europe, most recently serving as International Nutrition Lead at Kraft Heinz International in the Netherlands. In this role, Kathy was responsible for the development of new food products and communication strategies with consumers and stakeholders on topics such as nutrition and sustainability.

A trained dietitian, Kathy has spent much of her career as a nutrition scientist within the food industry. Her passion for legumes developed during her work at Kraft Heinz’s innovation center in Nijmegen, where she contributed to the creation of a variety of bean-based products.As plant-based eating and sustainability gained traction, Kathy led the company’s sustainability program from a nutrition science perspective.

At GLNC, she champions the increased consumption of grains and legumes, collaborating with stakeholders across the entire value chain, including farmers and retailers. Kathy is particularly committed to evidence-based research to underscore the nutritional importance of grains and legumes. Her professional interests include sustainability, plant-based proteins, gut health, and immunity, especially in relation to infants, toddlers, and older adults.