Merck's Laurie Hueneke Martens Receives “Feather In Her Cap” Award For Contributions To The Animal Health Industry

Laurie Hueneke Martens, associate vice president, Global Public Policy and Government Relations, Merck Animal Health, was awarded the 8th Annual Feather in Her Cap Award from the Feather in Her Cap Association.

RAHWAY, N.J.- Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE:MRK), today announced that Laurie Hueneke Martens, associate vice president, Global Public Policy and Government Relations, was awarded the 8th Annual Feather in Her Cap Award from the Feather in Her Cap Association. Hueneke was recognized for her significant contribution and achievements to Merck Animal Health and the animal health and agriculture industries through her leadership in public policy, including mentoring and developing future women leaders.

More than 325 industry leaders attended the Feather in Her Cap Award celebration this week in Orlando, Florida, designed to recognize women leaders in the animal health industry. The Feather in Her Cap Association also donated a $5,000 gift to her animal-related charities, split evenly between the Jackson County Iowa Humane Society and the Bellevue Iowa FFA Chapter.

Hueneke Martens has been instrumental in shaping international trade policies, advocating for science-based decision-making, and leading industry coalitions to remove barriers that hinder innovation. Her collaborative work across the animal health industry and at the highest levels of legislative and regulatory policymakers reinforces the critical role the Public Policy and Government Relations capability plays to ensure that the innovations created by Merck Animal Health scientists reach customers and the animals in their care.

"Laurie's dedication to advancing innovation while working to develop the next generation of female talent makes her an extraordinary leader," said Rick DeLuca, president, Merck Animal Health. "She emulates the attributes that a recipient of the Feather in Her Cap award should have -- a genuine commitment to the animals she serves, excitement for her work to advance animal health and well-being and an unwavering dedication to the betterment of the animal health industry."

Recently, she was appointed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative to serve on the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for trade in animals and animal products. She currently serves as the Chair of the International Trade and Standards Committee for the Animal Health Institute and served as Chair of the Leadership Team for both HealthforAnimals and Animal Health Institute for many years.

Previously, she led the development of the global animal health industry's Principles of Trade, aligning them with World Trade Organization's standards and ensuring that the industry remained competitive and science driven. Hueneke Martens spearheaded the industry's response to the U.N. Food Systems Summit through HealthforAnimals, advocating for policies that are fit-for-purpose and tailored to the realities of Animal Health. One of her most impactful initiatives was leading a global coalition to ensure the Codex Alimentarius Commission upheld its science-based decisions, a victory that preserved the integrity of global trade standards.

Hueneke Martens also has supported mentorship of young women professionals during her career. She serves as a role model and advocate for the company's Women's Network, which creates opportunities for women to advance in the animal health industry through internship and co-op programs. She provides guidance and career advice to the College of Agriculture at Iowa State University, Sigma Alpha agriculture sorority and her local 4-H chapter. She has partnered with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Foundation to support their Next Generation and Agriculture Policy Summit future talent development programs, designed to encourage students to interact with their respective state departments of agriculture and learn about policy advocacy and consensus building.

As a sixth-generation farmer, she brings a holistic perspective to food and agriculture, always advocating for sustainability and resilience in our food systems. Her leadership in developing the industry's sustainability research, tied to the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals, has helped re-position the industry, including farmers and producers, as a leader in sustainable innovation.

She graduated with two B.S. degrees in Animal Science and International Agriculture from Iowa State University and a M.S. degree in International Trade and Development from Oklahoma State University.


Source: Merck Animal Health news release