International Dairy Queen, Inc. announced Jane Friedrich joined the company as executive vice president, research and development, reporting to the president and CEO. She will set the strategic vision and lead a team to research and develop ingredients and menu items that customers crave, while overseeing food safety, quality and regulatory standards. Friedrich’s responsibilities extend across the global company, which includes more than 7,500 DQ restaurants in 20 countries.

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Prior to joining IDQ, Friedrich spent more than 20 years at Cargill where she held roles in research; development; innovation of proteins, snacks, beverages, confectionary and bread products; ingredient chemistry; nutrition; and food safety research, among others. She most recently held the titles of vice president global core R&D leader; and vice president, animal nutrition research & development and innovation leader.

Friedrich earned doctoral and master’s degrees in food science from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. She also completed executive education at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. Friedrich is a published researcher, holds several patents, and serves as the executive chair of the Food Fortification Initiative executive management team.