Jennifer Colfelt, Host
Jenn is responsible for the overall financial management and operations of ABA and its related entities, including budgeting and financial reporting, compliance matters, human resources, IT management, and long-range strategic planning. Additionally, Jenn leads the membership services and development team.
Jenn also serves on the leadership team and as CFO of the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE).
Prior to joining ABA, Jenn served as the Vice President for Finance and Operations at the National Asphalt Pavement Association and the Vice President for Finance, Operations, and Membership at the Private Equity Growth Capital Council. Jenn’s entrance into association management began at Business Roundtable where she served in a senior administrative role.
Jenn’s career began in performing arts management with artistic planning and operations roles at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Jenn has a Master of Public Policy, with a concentration in Regional Economic Development, from George Mason University (Arlington, Va.) in addition to a Bachelor of Music from Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.).
Jenn splits her time between Washington, DC and Raleigh, NC.
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.