Lee Sanders is Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs as well as Corporate Secretary for the American Bakers Association (ABA). Lee leads the ABA Government Relations team in representing the baking industry before Congress, federal agencies, state legislatures and international policy making bodies. She advises association members and industry on critical legislative and regulatory issues while serving as a spokesperson on behalf of the industry. Lee serves as the principal staff liaison for the ABA Food Technical Regulatory Affairs Committee (FTRAC) and ABA Legal Committee. She is also the principal liaison with the Grain Foods Foundation on bread and grain based food promotion activities.
Lee currently serves as Chairman of the American Society of Baking’s (ASB) Scientific Advisory Committee; is a member of the American Institute of Baking’s (AIB) Scientific Advisory Committee and member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Regulatory Affairs Committee. Lee serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the Society of Bakery Women. She is also a past chair of the AACCI Milling and Baking Division Chair and former Board Member of the Wheat Foods Council.
Before coming to the industry 17 years ago, Lee worked in a variety of government positions including: Legislative Aide for Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi; Professional Staff Member on the U.S. Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee and as a political appointee of the Bush (one) Administration in both the White House Counsel’s Office and at the U.S Department of Treasury’s Office of Legislative Affairs.
Lee holds a B.A. degree in Journalism from the University of Mississippi and has studied Legal Writing and Legal Research at Georgetown University. Lee successfully completed the AIB course, Baking for Allied and Non-Production Personnel. Additionally, Lee has been designated as a Professional Supplier by the American Society of Baking, and she is also an American Society of Association Executives – Certified Association Executive (CAE).
A leader in the baking industry, Lee is a recipient of the 2009 Leadership Award from Baking & Snack Magazine and was included as one of the “2009 Influential 20” by Baking Management Magazine. Further, Lee is a recipient of the 2009 AACCI Myron D. “Mike” Baustian Memorial Award for outstanding services enthusiastically rendered with personal dedication.
Lee lives in McLean, Virginia and enjoys volunteer work within the community. She is an active supporting member of The Campagna Center in Alexandria, Virginia that administers the Headstart program, as well as, other worthwhile programs for women and children. Lee also serves as a teacher for the Colin Powell Leadership Club Summer Program for inner city youth through her church, St. John’s Episcopal Church.
