Jean Ragalie

Jean Ragalie, RD, is the President of National Dairy Council (NDC). In this role, she leads the development and implementation of nutrition affairs strategies and relationships with leading government and non-government health, nutrition and school professional organizations. At the center of these strategies is Fuel Up to Play 60, an unprecedented initiative to create new opportunities to bring more nutritious, kid-appealing foods into schools, and maintain and further positive nutrition recommendations for children and teens. Fuel Up to Play 60 was developed through a partnership between NDC and the National Football League, aimed at incenting, equipping and mobilizing youth to adopt healthy behaviors, eat more nutrient-rich foods and get 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Through social marketing and a comprehensive in-school kit, Fuel Up to Play 60 will inspire kids to make positive changes in behavior today to develop lifelong healthy eating and physical activity habits. Jean also oversees nutrition and marketing communication strategies across the organization to support its overall health and wellness strategy.

Since joining NDC in 1996, Jean has been instrumental in programs addressing child nutrition, creating lifelong dairy consumers and maintaining dairy’s perceived role in a healthy lifestyle. She was one of four principal architects of Action for Healthy Kids, a national movement launched in 2002. With then-First Lady Laura Bush as Honorary Chairperson and former Surgeon General David Satcher as Chair, Action for Healthy Kids set forth to address the growing epidemic of childhood obesity in the United States. Today, the effort includes 52 teams and more than 9,000 volunteers nationwide. Jean serves as one of ten board members and is treasurer.

Jean was one of the first registered dietitians to break into the field of public relations. Before joining NDC, she held management positions at the NutraSweet Company and Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and public affairs firm. She works actively on behalf of numerous health professional organizations, including the American Dietetic Association Foundation, where she is a past board officer, the Illinois Dietetic Association and the Society for Nutrition Education.

A native of Chicago, Jean holds a bachelor of science in nutrition and medical dietetics from the University of Illinois. She has three children.