Staff

Courtney Gaine, Ph.D., R.D., is the President and CEO for the Sugar Association in Washington, D.C. Prior to this appointment in January 2016, Dr. Gaine served as the Vice President of Scientific Affairs at the association. Dr. Gaine previously served as senior science program manager at the North American branch of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI North America), a public, nonprofit scientific foundation that advances the understanding and application of science related to the nutritional quality and safety of the food supply. Prior to ILSI, Dr. Gaine held positions of project director, nutrition and wellness, at the nonprofit organization Convergence and science manager at FoodMinds, a public relations firm. She began her career in academia as an assistant professor at East Carolina University. A native Washingtonian, Dr. Gaine obtained her Ph.D. in nutritional sciences and biochemistry and bachelor’s degree in dietetics from the University of Connecticut, where she was also a co-captain of the UConn women’s basketball team.

Aimee Picard Soller joined the Sugar Association as Chief Operating Officer in February 2025. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the Association’s daily operations and ensuring alignment with its strategic goals. Prior to joining the Sugar Association, Ms. Soller spent more than 24 years in federal consulting, where she developed a strong track record of helping clients address complex challenges. Her expertise encompasses strategic planning, program management, financial management, policy analysis, and capability assessment – all crucial for optimizing organizational performance. Her commitment to organizational success and service extends beyond her professional life, as evidenced by her significant board leadership roles within the DC nonprofit sector. Ms. Soller earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from American University.

Monica Pagán Motta, MPH, is the Senior Director of Communications for the Sugar Association. She advances the Association’s mission by sharing science-based information that helps people understand and feel confident about sugar’s role in a balanced and nutritious diet. She specializes in making complex food and health science accessible and engaging for the public. Ms. Pagán Motta joined the Association after more than a decade at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where she gained expertise in food policy, led teams and national communications, and advised leadership on media strategy and stakeholder engagement. Before the FDA, she served at the U.S. Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, deploying as an information and analysis lead during natural disasters. Early in her career, she developed consumer education campaigns and community programs in academic and nonprofit settings. She has a Master of Public Health from the George Washington University and a Bachelor’s in biological and biomedical sciences from the University of Maryland. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America.

Arya is a Project Coordinator at the Sugar Association. In this role she works across the wide range of SAI’s initiatives, providing administrative and programmatic support. Prior to joining SAI, Arya spent several years in the AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) program, which placed her at the Richmond, VA-based education nonprofit MEGA Mentors. Tasked with developing capacity building strategies, she oversaw the organization’s growth and increased the number of students and schools served. Arya earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology, Healthcare Studies, and Anthropology from the University of Richmond. She is fascinated by real sugar’s story and thrilled to be able to bridge her backgrounds in science and education within the sugar nutrition sphere. A native Virginian, she resides in Alexandria with her cat, Sammy.