LEADERSHIP
Meet the team that guides The Hormel Institute’s mission and vision.
Message from the Executive Director
"Curiosity, diverse perspectives, and community support innovation and discovery—which is why The Hormel Institute intends to maintain and foster a welcoming, collaborative, and inclusive environment for working and learning. Through internal initiatives and expanded community outreach and education efforts, we intend to serve as a pillar of the local community, the broader biomedical research community, and beyond.
"I am proud to lead The Hormel Institute and dedicated to its continued progress. Together, let’s continue to advance research discoveries so that future generations can enjoy greater health and longer lives."
Dr. Robert Clarke
![Clarke 2](/sites/hi.umn.edu/files/styles/folwell_full/public/2024-02/robert_clarke_15_sm.jpg?itok=CsOsmJv1)
Executive Leadership
The Hormel Institute Advisory Board
The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota
Robert Clarke, PhD, DSc - Executive Director
Elizabeth Fedie, MPNA - Chief of Staff
![Buhr](/sites/hi.umn.edu/files/styles/medium/public/2024-04/buhr_22.jpg?itok=r_QmYDso)
University of Minnesota
Brian Buhr, PhD - Dean College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
![DeWalt](/sites/hi.umn.edu/files/styles/medium/public/2024-04/saara_22.jpg?itok=5XBFgAFX)
University of Minnesota
Saara J. DeWalt, PhD - Dean of College of Biological Sciences
![Jim Snee](/sites/hi.umn.edu/files/styles/medium/public/2024-04/jim_snee_2.jpg?itok=ntJCjLqG)
Hormel Foods
Jim Snee - Chairman of the Board, President & Chief Executive Officer
![Prakash](/sites/hi.umn.edu/files/styles/medium/public/2024-04/ys_22.jpg?itok=KBRHrTMm)
Mayo Clinic
YS Prakash, MD, PhD - Associate Dean for Research, Midwest
![Bonnie Rietz](/sites/hi.umn.edu/files/styles/medium/public/2024-04/bonnie_rietz_2.jpg?itok=yR7kaMyd)
The Hormel Foundation
Bonnie Rietz - Interim Chair, The Hormel Foundation