Step aside, turkey — Rider alum Keli Sanford '03 knows that the real MVP of Thanksgiving is the cranberry, and we couldn't agree more! As an innovation project manager at @oceansprayinc, Keli leads product development from concept through launch, working closely with marketing and R&D to bring fresh ideas to market. After earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing, Keli returned to her home state of Massachusetts, where Ocean Spray’s headquarters is nestled amid scenic cranberry bogs. One of the company’s unique aspects is its cooperative structure, made up of nearly 700 family-owned farms. “The history here is so rich and deep,” Keli says. “You feel it immediately. We have four cranberry bogs on the property and work closely with the growers. There’s a strong community bond, with many operating on small, specialized farms.” Keli and her team are currently managing a number of new product ideas, with several anticipated launches in the next few years. “Going to a store and buying something you worked on is a very cool feeling. Getting a product to market is a huge puzzle — from packaging to logistics — and I love helping put it all together.” #GoBroncs #IBleedCranberry 🦃🚫 ...🔴 ✅🙌