Katie Juhl, Host
Katie is the first Director of Marketing and Communications for the American Bakers Association. From newsroom to boardroom, she boasts wide-ranging experience in business development, strategy, and production for mobile, online, and broadcast. Katie’s journalism roots and newsroom experience, combined with her expertise in emerging platforms, gives her a unique perspective of how businesses and industries can better tell their stories. She has had stints in a variety of capacities in places such as the PBS NewsHour, ABC News, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and National Geographic. While working fulltime as a Domestic Engineer with her two young children (born 13.5 months apart), she started her own company to help trade associations, media companies, and agencies elevate their profiles and business opportunities in their respective marketplaces.
Katie is a classically trained pianist who once had a studio of 10 students. She is also an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Health Coach. Because why not.
Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other path, no other way, no day but today.
Fun Facts about Katie
Favorite Accessory
I have this weird acrylic bracelet that has lots of colorful beatles encased in the plastic. I love it.
The Most Unusual Thing In Your Office
I have ghost chairs, a bar cart, and a disco ball.
Best Childhood Memory
Playing in the dirt and running around my friend's back yard when we lived in Valdosta, GA
House History: A Bakery Connection
I live in a rowhouse on Capitol Hill in DC which was built in 1914. Because I'm nosy, I did a ton of research on the history of the house and its various owners. The first owner of my house worked as, wait for it: a baker. At one point in his career, he worked at Barker Original Bakeries.
According to an advertisement for Barker's in 1920: "Barker products are famous throughout the United States for their superb quality. All mixing and baking operations in full view of the public. You are cordially invited to visit these immaculate bakeries and get the 'Baker Habit.' The ingredients used are absolutely the finest obtainable and the result is an article 100% pure and 100% nourishing."
Baked Goods Summers
For two summers in a row in high school and college, Katie's worked at a bagel shop in Omaha, NE. Her favorite part of the day was eating a plain bagel straight from the oven smeared with salted butter. The hard bagel crust with the amazing melted butter on the soft, steaming bread inside was a little slice of heaven.
Hailey Blumenreich, Host
Hailey is a co-host of Bake to the Future and Marketing and Communications Manager at the American Bakers Association. Through podcasting, blog posting, email marketing, social media, and more, she communicates and promotes ABA’s activities to its members and the public.
Before joining ABA, Hailey was a Project Assistant at Lincoln Park Strategies, a public opinion research firm. Hailey graduated from the University of Michigan with a major in International Studies and a minor in Business Administration. She is passionate about podcasts, starting a podcast club, Podluck, in college, and then founding/chairing Podcast Club through the University of Michigan DC Alumni Club. Hailey is a member of the UMDC Board of Governors , Co-Vice Chair of the UMDC Planning Committee, and KEEN Associates Board Member.
Sticks and scones may break my bones.~ Unknown
Fun Facts about Hailey
Favorite Podcast
(other than Bake to the Future)
The Sporkful and This American Life
Favorite Baked Good
Savory: English Muffin
Sweet: Chocolate Chip Cookie
The Most Unusual Thing In Your Office
Dog-Bread Memes (i.e. a pug that looks like a croissant)
Favorite Books
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Educated by Tara Westover
Countries Traveled
Most recently Morocco, Iceland, Spain, Belgium, and the UK
Robb Mackie, Host
Robb MacKie has served as President and CEO of the American Bakers Association (ABA) since 2006. Robb serves as the baking industry’s chief advocate and spokesperson, overseeing all aspects of the administration and operations of the trade association representing the interests nearly 800,000 skilled employees of the $153 billion commercial baking industry.
A recognized leader of the Washington business community, Robb serves as the co-chair of the Food and Beverage Issues Alliance and facilitator of the food and beverage association CEOs forum. In addition, he is the vice-chair National Association of Manufacturers Council of Manufacturing Associations. Robb also provides strategic guidance as a member of the Kansas State University Grain Sciences and Industry Advisory Committee.
Robb is a graduate of Frostburg State University with a degree in Political Science. He and his wife Barbara have two children.
The future doesn’t belong to the faint hearted, it belongs to the brave.~ Ronald Reagan
Fun Facts about Robb
Best childhood memory
Listening to BBC broadcast of Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon.
Favorite Book
Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose – It is about perhaps mankinds’ biggest adventure, exploring the elusive Northwest Passage. While technically a failure, it is a truly colossal success of learning and inspiring our imaginations as Americans.
Favorite Baked Good
Key Lime Pie
Favorite Accessory
Noise cancelling headphones
Countries Traveled
Mexico, Canada, UK, Scotland, Brazil
Zach Decker, A Slice of the Action
Zack has served as ABA’s Government Relations Manager since October 2019 and has worked at ABA since 2018. He comes with previous association experience, working as a Legislative Affairs Assistant for a commerce association in Greater Los Angeles. Before serving at ABA, Zack earned his Master of Public Policy degree from Pepperdine University, where he studied economic policy and conducted quantitative research. During his master’s, Zack worked as a graduate assistant for an institute promoting public engagement in local government. He also served as the online editor for the Pepperdine Policy Review.
Zack earned his bachelor’s degree at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, competing on the tennis team there and graduating Cum Laude. While in undergrad, he interned in the Washington, D.C. office of former Iowa Senator Tom Harkin. Zack enjoys many baked goods, but loves bagels the most because they are delicious and versatile.
Cooking is an art, baking is a science.
Fun Facts about Zach
Favorite Accessory
Gotta be a tennis racquet. Huge tennis enthusiast: love watching, playing, and coaching tennis. Plus, it's a great way to burn off baked good calories!
Countries Traveled
Mexico, Costa Rica, UK
The Most Unusual Thing In Your Office
This might not be that surprising, but everyone in our office is particularly opinionated about food. Whatever the food topic, you can expect disagreements about it. What really got us going was whether a hot dog was a sandwich.