CHICAGO — Former USDA food safety official Sandra Eskin has been appointed chief executive officer of Stop Foodborne Illness (STOP), effective Feb. 24.

STOP is a national public health nonprofit dedicated to preventing foodborne illness and advocating for stronger food safety policies. Eskin will succeed Mitzi Baum, who is stepping down as CEO after serving for six years. Eskin’s leadership will build upon the momentum created by Baum, who, during her tenure, expanded STOP’s programs, raised its national profile and developed initiatives with industry and government to improve food safety nationwide.

“It is difficult to say goodbye to Mitzi, but we know STOP’s future is in superbly capable hands with Sandra,” said Mary McGonigle Martin and Gillian Kelleher, STOP’s board of directors’ co-chairs, who added, “Sandra has long been a nationally respected food safety advocate and leader.”

Eskin has a long track record of food safety advocacy, as her career encompasses work on a broad range of food safety, consumer protection and public policy issues. She joins STOP after serving in several leadership positions with the US Department of Agriculture, including acting under secretary for food safety and deputy under secretary. Before working at the USDA, Eskin spent 12 years as project director for food safety at The Pew Charitable Trusts, where she advocated for food safety reform and the passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Previously, she served as deputy director of the Produce Safety Project at Georgetown University. She has also served on multiple federal advisory committees, providing strategic advice on foodborne illness surveillance, consumer information on prescription drugs and food safety.

Eskin holds a JD from University of California, College of Law-San Francisco (formerly Hastings College of the Law) and a bachelor’s degree from Brown University.

“I am honored and excited to become the CEO of Stop Foodborne Illness,” Eskin said. “This organization has played a major role in improving the safety of the food supply, and I look forward to helping STOP expand its efforts to protect American families from preventable foodborne illnesses.”