Martha Scott Poindexter Appointed CEO of AHI

WASHINGTON, DC, May 6, 2025 – The Animal Health Institute (AHI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Martha Scott Poindexter as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective May 12, 2025.

Richard R. DeLuca, Jr., Chair of the AHI Board of Directors and Executive Vice President and President of Merck Animal Health, expressed his enthusiasm: “On behalf of the AHI Board of Directors, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Martha Scott and warmly welcome her to the animal health sector. Her impressive background in global agriculture and trade, coupled with her extensive experience on Capitol Hill, positions her as an exceptional leader to advance our mission of establishing the United States as the global leader in the development and production of innovative animal health products.”

Prior to joining AHI, Poindexter served as Chief Operating Officer at the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) since 2021 where she advocated for strategic objectives for continuous growth and success while managing senior leadership staff and 10 international offices across the globe. Her career includes significant global business expertise gained during her tenure at Bunge, where she adeptly navigated complex U.S. policy issues involving China, the EU, Southeast Asia, and other regions.

Poindexter also brings a wealth of experience from her time on Capitol Hill, where she held key leadership roles as staff director for both the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, making history as the first woman to occupy these positions.

A Mississippi native, Poindexter grew up on a cotton, rice, and soybean farm in the Mississippi Delta, which has shaped her understanding of the agricultural landscape. “I am thrilled to join the animal health industry at such a pivotal moment and look forward to collaborating with our members to cultivate an environment of innovation,” said Poindexter. “This industry plays a vital role in society, not only by ensuring a plentiful supply of safe animal protein products but also by enhancing the lives of pets and their owners through improved health and longevity.”

 

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