SMITHFIELD, Va. – Smithfield Foods Inc. announced that Keira Lombardo, senior vice president of corporate affairs, has been named a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). She officially joined the Board during its meeting March 7.

“Ms. Lombardo is a true leader in our industry, and she will bring valuable insights to the NAM Board of Directors,” said Jay Timmons, president and CEO for NAM. “Ms. Lombardo knows what it takes to succeed in a changing global economy and the kinds of solutions we need to see from our elected leaders. With her voice and leadership, the NAM will be an even more effective advocate for our more than 14,000 members and for the industry that is the backbone of our country.”

Keira Lombardo, senior vice president of corporate affairs at Smithfield Foods

In her role as senior vice president of corporate affairs, Lombardo leads the communications, government-affairs, sustainability and investor-relations efforts at Smithfield.

Last year, Lombardo received the STEP Ahead Award from the Manufacturing Institute, the non-profit arm of the NAM, for her positive impact on the industry through advocacy, mentorship, engagement, promotion and leadership.

“I am honored to join the NAM Board of Directors with fellow leaders and continue to advocate for policies that promote our continued growth as manufacturers,” Lombardo said. “The board of directors’ leadership is crucial to ensure policy makers understand how their legislation affects millions of men and women employed in the manufacturing sector. I look forward to sharing and collaborating with others to strengthen our economy and create more opportunities for working families.”

Lombardo earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the Newark College of Arts and Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in finance from Rutgers Business School at Rutgers Univ. She lives in Williamsburg, Virginia.