2022 RFSI Forum

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Regenerative Food Systems Investment Forum

October 12-13, 2022
Denver, CO

stock photo - copy - copy

Regenerative Food Systems Investment Forum

October 12-13, 2022
Denver, CO

Thank you for making the 2022 RFSI Forum a success!

The marquee event for investing in Regenerative Food and Agriculture!
The RFSI Forum catalyzes conversation, advances education, and drives increased investment in regenerative agriculture and food.

See the 2022 RFSI Forum Photos Here

< ABOUT ANCHOR >

The Regenerative Food Systems Investment (RFSI) Forum is the ONLY event that exclusively brings together investors, capital activators, and critical stakeholders working to build resilient food systems. Listen and learn from the leaders in investing and regeneration. Meet existing and new connections to advance your goals in this space.

Watch the Replay | About | Agenda | Tour | Speakers | Sponsor

< AGENDA ANCHOR >

Agenda: October 12-13, 2022

Day One

Day 1: Wednesday, October 12

REGISTRATION / OPENING COFFEE | 8:00 am MT

9:00 a.m. MT

Welcome

9:10 a.m. MT

Regenerative Agriculture: The Most Compelling Investment Opportunity Ever

Darren Baccus, Biome Capital Partners & Tripp Wall, Trailhead Capital

10:05 a.m. MT

PANEL: Investment Strategies for Regenerative Farmland

Moderated by: Elizabeth Candelario, Mad Agriculture
Panelists: Justin Bruch, Clear Frontier; Bert Glover, Impact Ag Partners; Paul McMahon, SLM Partners; Matthew Brown, International Farming Corporation

COFFEE BREAK | 11:00 a.m. MT

11:45 a.m. MT

Fixing Debt Financing & Creating A Regenerative Ag Capital Market

Dan Miller, Steward

12:15 p.m. MT

Case Study: Evolution of a Small Farm Investment Deal

Esther Park, Cienega Capital & Cody Hopkins, Grass Roots Farmers’ Co-Op

12:40 p.m. MT

The Role of Philanthropic Capital

Sarah Kelley, SAFSF & Mark Watson, Potlikker Capital

LUNCH | 1:10 p.m. MT

2:10 p.m. MT

Case Study: Investing in Agroforestry At Scale

Jeremy Kaufman, Propagate & Charlie Antrim, Agroforestry Partners

2:40 p.m. MT

Breakout Discussions

– Where Capital is a Dirty Word – Farmer Perspectives
– Linking Health Outcomes to Regen Ag
– Systems Building Through Integrative Capital

COFFEE BREAK | 3:40 pm MT

4:25 p.m. MT

Case Study: Closing the Funding Gap

Adrian Rodrigues, Provenance Capital & Doug Willmore, World Tree

4:55 p.m. MT

Pitch Sessions

Moderated by: Mitch Rubin, Elemental Accelerator
Pitch 1: Jason Aramburu, Climate Robotics
Pitch 2: Chris Tolles, Yard Stick PBC

5:15 p.m. MT

Fireside Chat: Where Policy Plays A Role

Zach Ducheneaux, USDA Farm Service Agency & Jennifer O’Connor, Funders for Regenerative Agriculture (FORA)

6:00 p.m. MT

Closing Remarks

EVENING RECEPTION | 6:00-7:30 p.m. MT

Including the Fundraising Happy Hour

Meet directly with 14 operators and funds raising capital to advance regenerative agriculture and food.

View Fundraising Happy Hour Participants

Day One

Day 2: Thursday, October 13

OPENING COFFEE | 8:00 am MT

9:00 a.m. MT

Welcome

9:10 a.m. MT

How Can Regen Get More of The Impact Investing Pie?

Michael Whelchel, Big Path Capital

9:35 a.m. MT

PANEL: Bringing Institutional Capital to Regenerative

Moderated by: Gabriela Leslie, CREO
Panelists: Anouk Schoors, The Nest; Devon Klatell, The Rockefeller Foundation; Jon Hendrickson, Aether Investment Partners, LLC

10:30 p.m. MT

The Need to Measure Impact

Shannon Boselli, Proof

COFFEE BREAK | 10:45 a.m. MT

11:30 a.m. MT

How We Build the Regenerative Future of Food: A Collaborative Call To Arms

Asha Agrawal, Tin Shed Ventures & Paul Lightfoot, Patagonia Provisions

11:45 a.m. MT

Overcoming Roadblocks to Achieving Regenerative Ag Systems at Scale

Jessie Deelo, Vayda

12:00 p.m. MT

PANEL: Ensuring Corporate Commitments to Regenerative Ag

Moderated by: Robyn O’Brien, rePlant Capital
Panelists: Margot Conover, General Mills; Jessica Newman, McCain Foods; Gina Asoudegan, Applegate

12:55 p.m. MT

Pitch Sessions

Moderated by: Sara Clow, Applied Ecological Institute
Pitch 1: Tom McDougall, 4P Foods
Pitch 2: Steve Apfelbaum, Applied Ecological Institute & Ecosystem

LUNCH | 1:15 p.m. MT

2:20 p.m. MT

Innovation for Regeneration

Moderated by: Koen van Seijen, Toniic
Panelists: Ashlie Burkart MD, Germin8 Ventures; Connie Bowen, Farmhand Ventures; Paul Greive, Pasturebird

3:15 p.m. MT

Breakout Discussions

– Reimagining Capital
– Building Equity into Regen Ag Investing
– The Landscape of Regen CPG & Certification

4:15 p.m. MT

Carbon Markets Update: The Economics & The Science

Laura Klein, Perennial & Megan Machmuller, Colorado State University

4:45 p.m. MT

Key Take-Aways

Donna Holmes, Iroquois Valley; Mark Lewis, Trailhead Capital; David Leon, Biome Capital Partners; Esther Park, Cienega Capital

5:15 p.m. MT

Closing Remarks

CLOSING DRINKS | 5:15-6:30 p.m. MT

<TOUR ANCHOR>

Regen Food Systems & Farm Tour

Day One

Tuesday, October 11

12:30 p.m. MT

Check-in for tour at conference hotel

1:00 p.m. MT

Depart from conference hotel

2:00 p.m. MT

Arrive at Boulder Valley School District Central Kitchen

Tour guide: Mara Fleishman, Chef Ann Foundation

3:30 p.m. MT

Arrive at McCauley Family Farm

Tour guide: Marcus McCauley

4:30 p.m. MT

Regenerative Happy Hour

Featuring chef prepared local regenerative and organic foods

6:30 p.m. MT

Arrive back at conference hotel

Thank you to our Tour Sponsor

<SPEAKER ANCHOR>

Speakers

Asha Agrawal is the Managing Director of Tin Shed Ventures, Patagonia's venture capital arm. She is a climate investor, startup operator, and corporate lawyer with a deep professional and personal commitment to environmental sustainability. Tin Shed Ventures is focused on investing in the transition to regenerative agricultural practices for both food and fiber.

Asha AgrawalPatagonia, Tin Shed Ventures

Charlie is co-founder and managing partner at Agroforestry Partners. Charlie is also the managing member for Walnut Level Capital, an investment management firm in Denver that he founded that focuses on supply chain analysis for the agricultural and chemical sectors on a global basis. Prior to founding Walnut Level Capital, Charlie worked for SAC Capital/Point72 for 12 years as an analyst and portfolio manager focusing on the agriculture and chemical sectors.

Charlie AntrimAgroforestry Partners

Steve Apfelbaum, the founder of Applied Ecological Services in Brodhead, WI, has been a full-time research and consulting ecologist with AES since 1978 when he founded the company and in 2021 merged with Resource Environmental Solutions (RES). Steve has conducted ecological research projects in most biomes of North America, and since the early 1980s he has been one of the leading consultants in the U.S. in ecological restoration programs. Apfelbaum is trained as an animal and plant ecologist with graduate studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign where he earned his MS Degree in Ecological and Biological Sciences in 1978. He has been a scientist in hundreds of field ecological projects and data analysis projects.

Steven ApfelbaumApplied Ecological Institute

Jason Aramburu is the founder and CEO of Climate Robotics, a developer of tractor-mounted implements to produce biochar from agricultural residues. He has been an established business leader and technology developer in the biochar industry for over 15 years. Jason previously founded re:char, a Gates-foundation funded nonprofit focused on training farmers in the developing world to produce and utilize biochar. He is an Ashoka Fellow, Echoing Green Fellow and was named a Forbes 30 under 30 social entrepreneur. He has also served as a Director at Baidu, the largest AI and robotics company in the world. He holds a degree in Ecology and Environmental Science from Princeton University.

Jason AramburuClimate Robotics

As VP of Mission and Regenerative Agriculture, Gina is the architect for Applegate’s strategy in regenerative agriculture and designs supply chains built for ecological and economic resilience through cross-industry collaboration. Gina was awarded Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business 2022 for her work in regenerative agriculture and the supply chain collaboration she facilitated between the food and fashion industries. Gina is on the board of directors for the National Young Farmers Coalition and an advisory board member for Land to Market, Regen Rising and the UC Berkeley Haas Center for Responsible Business

Gina AsoudeganApplegate

Darren is a Managing Partner and a co-founder of Biome Capital Partners. He brings 25+ years of transactional and investing experience to the team and previously held a variety of senior executive roles at two Canadian institutional investment managers, including Global Head of Real Estate and Natural Resources. Biome Capital Partners is an investment platform for regenerative food systems at scale. BCP will work hand in hand with stakeholders to recognize ecosystems that restore the land, bring prosperity to growers, and nourish all people.

Darren BaccusBiome Capital Partners | Managing Partner & Co-Founder

Shannon leads sales and partnerships at Proof of Impact. Her background in building scalable infrastructures and revenues at early stage technology companies like Brex & Uber allows her to build long term mutually beneficial relationships with key stakeholders. She is passionate about helping changemakers tell their impact story to build a healthier world for all inhabitants.

Shannon BoselliProof of Impact

Connie Bowen is passionate about driving more investment towards improving agrifood systems in an intentionally inclusive way. She actively does this as a co-founder of Farmhand Ventures, an impact venture studio focused on building the future of work in ag. She's also a Venture Investor with The Yield Lab Europe, co-founder of The Yield Lab Institute, and co-creator of the Women in Agrifood Directory.

Connie BowenFarmhand Ventures

Matthew joined International Farming Corporation’s team in 2013 to wrangle farm and operation data for a fast-growing real asset investment firm focused on agriculture. Building on an experienced foundation in soil science, agronomy, and high-impact landscape management, he brings both an academic and applied perspective to growing food and everything around it. Matthew embraces work that includes diverse stakeholders from on a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives to a variety of developments over the past 20 years ranging from bleeding edge technology projects to large scale ecosystem research. He currently works with the Investments and Acquisitions Team on special projects.

Matthew BrownInternational Farming Corporation

Led the acquisition of ~$50mm+ in, Organic and Organic transition farmland, Personally gone through transition to organic on own family farming operation in Iowa, Canterra Capital, COO (Canada), Managed +100 farmers, oversaw acquisition (47,000 acres) and expanded, Canterra’s portfolio to ~$275mm, Agrokultura, COO (Ukraine), Actively managed farmland portfolio (135,000 acres) in Western Ukraine for a publicly traded company on Nasdaq Stockholm, Agfunder.com One of the Founding Investor & Chairman of the Board, 5th generation family farmer from Emmetsburg, Iowa. B.S. Agronomy -Iowa State Uni. M.B.A - California State Uni-Fresno.

Justin BruchClear Frontier Ag Management

Dr. Ashlie L Burkart, MD is the Chief Scientific Officer at Germin8 Ventures — a venture capital firm that impact invests in the food and agriculture space — and is an Associate in the Environmental and Natural Resources Department at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, the No. 1 university think tank in the world. At Harvard, she recently led an event on “Innovation, Investment and Policy in Regenerative Agriculture”. Dr. Burkart is also a practicing gastrointestinal pathologist and grant-funded researcher in gut health.

Ashlie BurkartGermin8 Ventures

Elizabeth has worked at the intersection of food, climate, and agriculture for fifteen years. She serves as Director of Strategic Partnerships for Mad Agriculture, a non-profit that helps farmers to transition from conventional to regenerative organic agriculture by providing agronomic know-how, operating capital, and market access. Through Mad Markets, Elizabeth connects regenerative farmers to values-aligned buyers, helps companies achieve their product and sustainability goals, and leverages the marketplace to drive adoption of regenerative farming. Prior to joining Mad Agriculture, Elizabeth served as President of Demeter USA, the non-profit certifier of Biodynamic farms and products.

Elizabeth CandelarioMad Agriculture

Sara Clow is a dynamic food systems entrepreneur and leader with nearly two decades of business development and operations experience focused on scaling innovative programs and products that positively impact farmers, eaters, and the earth. Prior to her focus in sustainable food and agriculture, Sara was an analyst at a private equity fund in San Francisco where she gained valuable insight into portfolio management and the importance of building trusted relationships and partnerships. During her transition ‘from finance to food’, her original dream was to farm. She WOOF'd (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) in New Zealand for six heavenly months but eventually took the advice of farmer-mentors who encouraged her to work alongside them in business and service, instead of in the field. A systems thinker and proud ‘generalist’ she excels in building businesses and collaborations with actionable and impactful outcomes; attracting catalytic capital to invest in thriving food systems for all.

Sara ClowApplied Ecological Institute

Margot ConoverGeneral Mills

Tim Crosby is Principal of the Thread Fund, Steering Committee Member Global Alliance for the Future of Food, Chair Transformational Investing in Food Systems Initiative, and advisor to numerous projects. He has developed a regional food hub, a loan loss reserve fund at a credit union, researched a logic model gap between for-profit and non-profit investors, and partnered to develop a sustainable ag loan program at a CDFI. Prior, Tim was a professional photographer and graphic designer. Tim holds a Sustainable MBA from Presidio University and a BA in Anthropology from Kenyon College.

Tim CrosbyThread Fund & Transformational Investing in Food Systems (TIFS) | Principal & Chair

Brian P. Dawson is a Partner and co-founder of Biome Capital Partners, an investment fund deploying capital to accelerate the transition from conventional to regenerative agriculture. Most recently, Brian was co-founder and CEO of HarvestPort, a venture-backed AgTech marketplace with a mission to improve the economic and environmental outcomes of commercial farming operations. Brian began his career in agriculture by co-founding Palogix, which became the largest supplier of bulk harvesting, transport, and storage containers and logistics services to fruit, vegetable, and nut producers in North America. Prior, Mr. Dawson co-founded PetroCal Inc. (exited via IPO), a technology company focused on increasing the production of mature oil and gas fields. Brian is also a co-founder of Fifth Season Ventures (FSV), an impact investment fund focused on the food and agricultural supply chain. At FSV, he led the seed investment round and served as Executive Chairman of Full Cycle Bioplastics, a circular economy startup that converts organic waste into biodegradable plastic. Brian is an Advisor to Planet FWD, a platform to connect farmers to brands seeking climate-friendly products and carbon management tools, and to Wolf Tree Ventures, a regenerative venture studio. He also serves on the Board of the regenerative advocacy nonprofit Farmer’s Footprint. Mr. Dawson is a graduate of Columbia University, and lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children.

Brian P. DawsonBiome Capital

Jessie Deelo leads Impact and Markets for Vayda, a regenerative farming company. Building off her career as a commercial farmer, Extension specialist and industry sustainability expert, she designs strategies for agricultural systems change. Vayda develops regional hubs that recognize the landscape, markets, and cultures to unlock the potential for agriculture to be a force for good for people and planet. Ms. Deelo has sector expertise in North American dairy, grains and oilseeds, and organic and regenerative agriculture. Her graduate school training in International Agricultural Development from the University of California-Davis shapes her approach to sustainability for global markets.

Jessie DeeloVayda

Zach Ducheneaux, Executive Director of the Intertribal Agriculture Council, is part of the third generation to operate the family ranch on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in north central South Dakota. That generation is now working with the fourth generation on the same ranch. Zach served as a tribal council representative for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe from 2000 to 2004 and became the Tribe’s delegate to the IAC, and secretary of the board, a role he is honored to have filled. However, Zach’s connection to the IAC spans nearly 25 years, as his first professional employment was with the organization as a Farm Advocate from 1994-1997; in this role, he assisted producers who found themselves victim to the circumstances of the Keepseagle lawsuit following the fallout of the Farm Crisis. “During that time I learned about the passion that drove those within the IAC for agriculture as an economic development tool, and that there were folks out there trying to improve Reservation economies through Agriculture.” Zach goes on, “I learned that there was a bigger picture behind what I had the good fortune of growing up doing, and that it was possible to have an impact on those matters for the benefit of all of Indian Country.” This bigger picture approach has focused a significant amount of Zach’s current work around a reinvention of Ag Finance to better serve Indian Country; shedding light on the investment potential that is offered through more thoughtfully structured Sustainability Finance. Since 2010, Zach has been working full-time for the IAC, and along with his work on the TA Network, and ag policy initiatives, He works to further educate himself, and others about the critical role of improved food systems, value-added agriculture, and foreign exports in any successful economic development model in Indian Country.

Zach DucheneauxIntertribal Agriculture Council

Erin is a Partner and co-founder of Biome Capital Partners, a regenerative ecosystem investment platform. BCP aims to transform the economics of growing food and fiber. Through regenerative management and collaboration across regional food sheds, BCP will work hand in hand with stakeholders to unlock the land’s innate capacity for abundance and create a new benchmark in accessibility of nutritious, regeneratively-produced food.

Erin FegerBiome Capital Partners

Bert is the founder and MD of Impact Ag Partners whose expertise has been instrumental in the strategic approach the asset management company has taken to real asset investing in ag and creating value for investment partners. Bert has turned his 25 years of agribusiness experience towards asset management to meet the growing demand from investors who wish to invest in Ag as a profitable impact investment and NbS in addressing climate change. IAP has over $600m of AUM across Australia & North America under separate managed accounts. These assets have produced 2% increase in soil carbon sequestration and realized $1 million in soil carbon sales along with other natural capital co-benefits.

Bert GloverImpact Ag Partners | Managing Director

Paul Greive is the founder of Pasturebird, the largest daily-move pastured poultry producer in the world. After contracting Lyme disease in the backwoods of Virginia during sniper school, his family went on a health journey and became disenchanted with the poultry options in the grocery store. Pasturebird's solar powered, autonomous, and floorless mobile coop moves 6,000 birds to fresh pasture every 24 hours, allowing for large scale integration with row crops, hay fields, cover crops, and more. Pasturebird was acquired by Perdue Farms in 2019. Paul is also the co-founder of Primal Pastures, and is also actively working on a permaculture orchard project.

Paul GreivePasturebird

Mr. Hendrickson is responsible for sourcing, evaluating and monitoring investments. Immediately prior to joining Aether Investment Partners in January of 2010, Mr. Hendrickson served as an Associate for BlackRock Alternative Advisors. Mr. Hendrickson earned a BA in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Entrepreneurial Leadership from Gonzaga University and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Jon HendricksonAether Investment Partners

Cody Hopkins is the CEO and founding farmer of the Grass Roots Farmers’ Cooperative. Cody has spent more than 15 years developing market opportunities and supply chains to support regenerative livestock farmers. He and his wife Andrea Todt, both first-generation farmers, founded Falling Sky Farm in 2006. In 2014 Falling Sky Farm was one of the founding farms of Grass Roots Farmers Co-op. The cooperative, in partnership with Heifer USA and Cypress Valley Meat Company, has grown to provide market opportunities for more than 50 farms and supply chain development for hundreds more.

Cody HopkinsGrass Roots Farmers’ Cooperative

Donna Isaacs is co-owner of DeLaTerre Permaculture Farm in Eros, Louisiana, a fourteen-acre diversified farm that sells produce, meat, and eggs. Isaacs also serves as executive director of Campti Field of Dreams (DREAMS) where she fosters sustainable growth and community revitalization. In December 2021, DREAMS was awarded a $1,080,676 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Innovation Grant to support 20 Historically Underserved farmers as they built No-Till Organic Market Gardens. Recognized as one of the 2021 Farmers of the Year by Minority Landowner Magazine, she is dedicated to growing food, farmers, and the fabric of rural communities.

Donna IsaacsDeLaTerre Permaculture Farm, LLC

Married to my amazing wife Ashley CFO of the Jessen companies. 3 awesome kids, Collin (17) Cameron (14) Caitlin (13) . We own and operate a large organic farm in Wyoming, Nebraska and Colorado. 5th generation farmer raising wheat, edible beans, corn, barley, hay and other grains. Certified organic for 20+ years. We also own and operate Wyoming’s only certified organic grain elevator where we proudly supply organic grain to companies who pride themselves on quality. Ship via truck or rail. Specializing in: Organic dry land farming, Organic logistics, Organic Marketing , Organic Consulting & Certification. Jessenwheatcompany.com

Clint JessenJessen Wheat Co LLC

Jeremy is an entrepreneur, designer and operations specialist who previously designed digital products for a range of companies from startups to Fortune 500. At Propagate, Jeremy is the COO and leads technology development, ops and finance. Having worked on organic farms, and being a part of a 3rd generation family timber products business, he is focused on the systemic interplay between agricultural, economic, and cultural paradigms.

Jeremy KaufmanPropagate

Sarah R. Kelley is the Principal of Common Threads Consulting. She serves as Project Director to SAFSF for its Project on Sustainable Fiber and Textiles and is currently focused on the development of the Integrated Capital Fibers Fund. She also recently served as Lead Researcher and Author for the Textile Exchange Regenerative Agriculture Landscape Analysis. Previously, Sarah served for 10 years as Senior Program Officer at the Island Foundation, where she directed the Environment portfolio and managed $1.2 million in annual grants. She holds an M.S. in Plant & Soil Science, a B.A. in History, and was a 2018-19 Just Economy Institute (formerly RSF Integrated Capital) fellow.

Sarah KelleyCommon Threads Consulting / SAFSF Project on Sustainable Fibers and Textiles

Laura Klein started her career in biotech and life science consulting before transitioning into agtech and climate. Her interest in regenerative agriculture's impact on climate change began during her undergraduate program at Stanford University, where she continued her studies to complete a master's degree focused on sustainable systems. She currently leads carbon market strategy at Perennial, a technology company building the world's leading verification platform for soil-based carbon removal.

Laura KleinPerennial

Gabriela Leslie is the Sector Manager for Food, Agriculture, and Natural Capital at CREO, a network of family office investors deploying capital towards climate solutions across sectors and investment stages. At CREO, she covers research, strategy, and deal flow pertaining to the decarbonization transition in food systems and other natural climate solutions. Previously, she worked as a Fellow and Analyst for the Environmental Defense Fund's Climate team under their Chief Natural Resource Economist. She has also served as a consultant for Paul Hawken's book “Regeneration.” Gabriela holds a B.S. and M.S. from Stanford University.

Gabriella LeslieCREO

Donna has almost 20 years of experience in the investment management industry. She currently serves as Senior Vice President, Investor Relations at Iroquois Valley Farms LLC. Previously, Donna served in business development and investor relations roles at several hedge funds and practiced law specializing in ERISA and corporate matters. In her role at Iroquois Valley, Donna leads the Company’s effort to build a mission aligned investor base. Iroquois Valley provides organic and regenerative farmers land security through long-term leases and mortgages. The Company’s investor base consists of accredited and non-accredited individual investors, endowments, and foundations. The Company has also developed relationships with over 60 like-minded financial advisors, whose clients are interested in supporting the evolution to sustainable agriculture. Donna is also responsible for serving the Company’s current investor base and building relationships with the farmers in the Iroquois Valley Community.

Donna HolmesIroquois Valley Farms LLC

John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture, a regenerative agronomy consulting company. John is the host of the Regenerative Agriculture podcast, and is known for developing crop nutrition management systems that increase yields and profitability while reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides.

John KempfAdvancing Eco Agriculture | Founder

Devon is VP, Food, at The Rockefeller Foundation. There, she leads a portfolio of work in the U.S. to advance a more nourishing, equitable and regenerative food system. She also leads work on the True Cost of Food, which analyzes the hidden costs of the food system on health, equity and the environment. Prior to taking on her current role, she oversaw the Foundation’s Strategic Planning team, which lead implementation design, risk assessment and resourcing for the Foundation’s global initiatives. Earlier in her career, Devon was a management and strategy consultant. She holds a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.A. in?food systems?from New York University.

Devon KlatellThe Rockefeller Foundation

David LeonBiome Capital & Farmer’s Footprint

Kristy, mom of three little boys, launched Quinn Foods with no prior food industry experience just three days after her first son, Quinn, was born. Disappointed by the chemicals and artificial flavors in her favorite childhood snack, microwave popcorn, Kristy invented and patented a Pure Pop® microwave popcorn bag, which is the first bag without chemical or plastic coatings, such as PFOAs and PFCs. Kristy continued her mission of making better-for-you classic snacks (that never ever compromise on flavor) by launching a line of gluten-free and grain-free pretzels. Since starting Quinn ten years ago, Kristy has been a pioneer in agriculture and ingredient transparency. Quinn’s ‘Farm-to-Bag’™ Policy connects consumers directly to the source where the ingredients come from and their ‘Be Better. Do Better.’™ mission takes these ‘Farm-to-Bag’ relationships a step further by encouraging growers to improve agricultural practices that will not only benefit them, but also the planet. Kristy was chosen by Whole Foods as one of the 'Women Makers: Raising the Bar' highlighting women and industry leaders who inspire and motivate others to create new and better products. She was honored as one of the ‘Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs’ by Fortune Magazine, and Quinn Snacks was named ‘Snack Producer of the Year’ by Snack Food and Wholesale Bakery.

Kristy LewisQuinn Foods

Mark Lewis is a Managing Partner at Trailhead Capital, and also an owner, manager, and soil steward at Lewis Family Farm, a 354 acre Certified Organic farming operation near Hoyt, CO. Mark has been active in the agriculture and renewable energy spaces for over 10 years, having successfully participated in ventures such as GSSG Solar, and serving as Board Chair at Mad Agriculture, where he is also an advisor to the organization’s Perennial Fund. He has helped source and manage investments for his family office over the years, while previously serving on the Board’s at E-Town and Revision. Mark has a BA in economics from the University of San Diego, as well as an MBA from CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business.

Mark LewisTrailhead Capital

Paul LightfootPatagonia

Megan is a co-founder of Cquester Analytics and research scientist in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Colorado State University. Her research aims to address how climate change and management practices influence plant-microbial interactions, soil health, and carbon sequestration. She co-founded Cquester Analytics after realizing the critical need for an analytical facility applying state-of-the-art science-based methods and rigor to enable the adoption of soil organic matter regenerative practices and to accurately verify soil carbon sequestration at scale. She received her PhD from the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia.

Megan MachmullerCquester Analytics

Lauren Manning, Esq., LL.M., is an attorney, law professor, and farmer. Before her current role, Lauren was a venture capital investor with food and ag-focused VC firm AgFunder. Lauren began with AgFunder in 2015 as part of AgFunderNews media and research team reporting on issues involving finance, agriculture, climate change, and more. From 2019 to 2021, Lauren supported the Sacred Cow documentary and book project discussing the nutritional, environmental, and ethical case for (better) meat production. At the University of Arkansas, Lauren serves as an adjunct law professor across multiple departments teaching courses on farm animal welfare, food safety, farm succession planning, agricultural cooperatives and local food systems, and more. Lauren is a partner in Northwest Arkansas-based Ozark Pasture Beef, a direct-to-consumer grass-finished and pasture-based livestock partnership selling beef and lamb.

Lauren ManningFood System 6

Paul McMahonSLM Partners

Dan MillerSteward

Tom McDougall is the Founder and CEO of 4P Foods, a Public Benefit Corporation. 4P is a regional food hub based in the Mid-Atlantic that has been connecting local farmers to wholesale and retail buyers, including institutions and food-as-medicine partners, since launching in 2014. Tom is an Aspen Institute Food Leaders Fellow, a Founding Member of the Eastern Food Hub Collaborative, and a co-creator of the Mid-Atlantic Food Resilience & Access Coalition. Having financed 4P Foods’ growth with a blended cap stack of mission-aligned capital, Tom is recognized as a social entrepreneur, an activist, and vocal advocate for accelerating social impact investing in the creation of regional, regenerative, and equitable food systems.

Tom McDougall4P Foods | Founder & CEO

Jessica Newman is the Senior Director of Agriculture & Sustainability at McCain Foods, the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato products and appetizers. Her team of agronomists and field representatives are responsible for all the potatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, onions, zucchini, and other vegetables purchased directly from farmers. They also implement McCain’s 2025 sustainability goals related to agriculture: 100% of farmers implementing regenerative practices, 25% reduction in farming CO2 emissions intensity, 15% improvement in irrigation water use efficiency in water-stressed regions, and the launch of three Farms of the Future. She has worked at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Ecologic Institute, New York City Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, Booz & Company, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), and Anheuser-Busch. She holds a B.A. from Harvard, an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management (with Sustainability Certificate).

Jessica NewmanMcCain Foods

Pete Oberle is a Managing Partner at Trailhead Capital and a financial professional with over 23 years of experience working in investment banking and private equity. He has 15 years of real estate and management experience, serving as President of FREO Group US, where he helped build a $150M AUM platform for the firm. Pete also has been investing in early stage companies as a private investor since 2014, focusing on opportunities within the agriculture, food, renewable energy, and human health spaces. He has a BA from Dartmouth College, as well as an MBA from the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Pete OberleTrailhead Capital | Managing Partner

Robyn O’Brien is on Forbes Impact 50 List for her work at the intersection of agriculture and climate. She is the founder of Sirona Ventures and co-founder of rePlant Capital, financial services firms scaling climate solutions on farm and inside the food industry. She is a Fulbright scholar, best-selling author and widely recognized speaker on global food systems.

Robyn O’BrienSirona Ventures | Founder

After over 8 years managing and evaluating food security and rural health programs in Africa, Jenny founded Guidelight Strategies, a strategic consulting firm focused on the design and implementation of strategic initiatives in the food/ag and environment sectors. In 2020, Jenny developed and published a national landscape analysis of the barriers for ranchers and farmers to transition to regenerative agriculture in the US, alongside Patagonia. She also supported the SAFSF special project and roadmap on US fiber systems, led by Sarah Kelley. Jenny now serves as the Executive Director of FORA, Funders For Regenerative Ag, as well as continuing to oversee the work of Guidelight.

Jennifer O’ConnerFunders for Regenerative Agriculture | Executive Director

Esther is the CEO of Cienega Capital, a regenerative investment firm utilizing an integrated capital approach to systemic change in the areas of soil health, regenerative agriculture, and local food systems. Cienega Capital is also part of the #NoRegrets Initiative, a regenerative asset strategy focused on the health of agricultural soils and agricultural communities in North America. Esther has over 20 years of experience in mission-based financial services ranging from microfinance to risk capital investments, in partnership with financial institutions, family offices, foundations, and investment advisors. She is also a faculty member of the Just Economy Institute.

Esther ParkCienega Capital | CEO

Rex Raimond has more than 20 years of experience developing strategy and building effective partnerships for sustainable and equitable food systems. He applies his partnership-building skills to help build a movement among concessional, impact and commercial investors, companies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to increase investing in principles-aligned food system businesses that are economically viable and deliver sustainable impact. Rex has worked on many aspects of food and agricultural systems transformation, including sustainable finance, crop insurance and agricultural policy, market incentives for soil health practices, sustainable supply chains, food safety, science and emerging technologies, sustainable landscape planning, and climate change. Rex is a multi-lingual, international environmental lawyer. Prior to joining the TIFS Initiative, he built partnerships at Meridian Institute, practiced environmental and land-use law in the Netherlands, and supported rural development projects in Zimbabwe. He lives in Colorado, USA with his wife and three children. He has lived in the Netherlands, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Zimbabwe.

Rex RaimondTIFS Initiative

Adrian is a Managing Director of Provenance Capital Group where he raises capital for regenerative businesses and funds. Previously, he worked at Patagonia within its Venture Capital arm Tin Shed Ventures, helping author a standard for Regenerative Organic Agriculture and making regenerative investments. Adrian spent six years at Morgan Stanley helping investors manage their asset allocations. Adrian is a graduate of Berkeley Haas’ full-time MBA program. He received a B.A. in English from Williams College and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Adrian RodriguesProvenance Capital Group | Managing Director

Jack Roswell is the co-founder and CEO of Perennial. Previously, he worked with researchers at the University of Virginia and Peruvian Ministry of culture to perform sub-soil imaging work at archaeological sites in Peru.

Jack RoswellPerennial

Mitch leads Elemental Excelerator’s food, agriculture, and nature-based solutions portfolio. He helps Elemental's portfolio companies co-design projects and connect with high value partners, and spearheads recruitment for the sector. Prior to Elemental, Mitch helped to launch a fund focused on building climate-resilient communities in North America. He previously spent over three years at Chobani, where he managed the Chobani Incubator and Food Tech Residency programs.

Mitch RubinElemental Excelerator

Anouk leads The Nest’s allocations that aim at building more resilient food systems. With an engineering & economics degree, an enormous passion for food&ag, and a huge respect for nature, she looks for initiatives and collaborations that can help drive systemic change in our food system. The goal is to marry environmental health, human health and nutritional value by bringing back a holistic view on our food system. Formerly in strategy consulting, with solid experience in both the non-profit world and family advisory, she focuses on bringing the corporate and philanthropic worlds closer together to drive profound shifts.

Anouk SchoorsThe Nest | Investment Manager

Eric Smith is CEO/Co-Founder of Edacious, a technology platform for differentiating food quality and creating linkages between soil and human health through food nutrient composition. He was most recently Director of Neglected Climate Opportunities, the Grantham Foundation's venture capital vehicle where he led investments in businesses that can remove carbon and GHG at scale. Eric was previously with SJF Ventures and worked for BlackRock on climate finance, in addition to providing advisory services to forest carbon and other natural resource management projects. He received his MBA and Master of Forestry from Duke and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica.

Eric SmithEdacious | CEO

Patrick's the co-founder and Managing Partner of Wolf Tree Ventures and interim CEO of their portfolio company Regen Insights. He's an advisor to the Soil Carbon Initiative and has analyzed emerging certifications for both immediate market opportunity and long-term impact.

Patrick SmithWolf Tree Ventures

CEO and co-founder of Yard Stick PBC, is a Boston-based entrepreneur focused on science commercialization in service of the climate change crisis. Prior to Yard Stick he was CEO and co-founder of Sundaily, an ingestible sun protection product company which he sold to Grove Collaborative in 2020. Previous to his founding roles, Chris worked with HBS Professor Clay Christensen, creator of the theory of disruptive innovation, at Clay’s firm Innosight, focused on entrepreneurial innovation efforts at large corporate clients include Bose, Biogen, and Eli Lilly. Chris holds an MBA from Boston University and a BFA in Furniture Design from Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

Chris TollesYard Stick PBC

Tripp Wall is an entrepreneur, investor, fiduciary, and is a Managing Partner at Trailhead Capital. Prior to becoming a partner at Trailhead, Tripp worked at Alliance Bernstein for over a decade helping to source and manage alternative investments for the firm’s private wealth platform. Tripp was also a member of an investment group that acquired Alfalfa’s Market in Boulder, CO, where he also served at one point as CEO. Outside of his Trailhead responsibilities, Tripp is Chairman of the Colorado Wildlife Foundation and part of the Governor’s Western States Water commission. He has both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Colorado - Boulder.

Tripp WallTrailhead Capital

Mark Watson currently serves President and Co Founder of Potlikker Capital (a non profit charitable loan fund) an integrated capital fund supporting dedicated to support BIPOC farmers at the intersection of racial and climate justice. Potlikker Capital is a supporting entity to Jubliee Justice and RSF Social Finance. He also served as Managing Director of the Fair Food Fund, which offers catalytic capital with a social equity lens and co-designed and launched an integrated racial justice capital fund, The Boston Impact Initiative Fund. He is also the founder of Keel Asset Management LLC, a financial advisory firm that provides socially responsible financial planning and investment adviso

Mark WatsonPotlikker Capital | President & Co-Founder

Michael WhelchelBig Path Capital

Doug is an accomplished executive in both the public and private sectors. He currently works as the Chief Executive Officer at World Tree, an agroforestry company that grows sustainable, regenerative eco-lumber to sequester carbon and protect native forests, while also delivering returns for investors. As World Tree’s CEO, Doug gets to marry his love and care for the planet with his passion for building great organizations.

Doug WilmoreWorld Tree

Since 2011 Koen has been following the regenerative agriculture and food space when he stumbled upon the carbon sequestration potential of regenerative farming. Under "Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food" he has published more than 180 podcast interviews with impact investors, fund managers, farmers and many others. Regenerating soils and ecosystems by putting money (big and small) to work is the central theme that drives him. He is also manager at the Impact Investor community nonprofit Toniic.

Koen van SeijenInvesting in Regenerative Agriculture and Food Podcast

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Venue

The 2022 RFSI Forum will be held in the heart of Denver at The Cable Center. The Cable Center is a high-tech, high-impact, contemporary building situated on the campus of Denver University. The Cable Center was created to be hub for advancing innovation & entrepreneurship to drive the connectivity industry.

2000 Buchtel Blvd South | Denver, CO 80210

Oakland-Marriot-Exterior

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Hotel

The RFSI Forum room block at Clayton Members Club & Hotel, 233 Clayton St, Denver, CO 80206 is FULL. However, there are still rooms available at the hotel if you’d like to stay at this location. This high-end hotel is conveniently located 3 miles from The Cable Center and within walking distance to a large selection of restaurants and bars in the Cherry Creek District. The hotel also has a Mediterranean restaurant, cocktail lounge and gym!

Other Hotel Options:
Hotel Clio, 150 Clayton Ln, Denver, CO 80206
Courtyard by Marriott Denver Cherry Creek, 1475 S Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80222

The #NoRegrets Initiative is an integrated relationship-centered approach to land and asset management that uses a variety of capital – ecological, financial and social – to grow healthy soil and healthy communities while affecting change in our agricultural food system.

Further information

Wolf Tree Ventures

Wolf Tree Ventures is a venture studio that incubates businesses supporting regenerative transition. As we’ve explored opportunities, we were surprised to find there wasn’t an insights & strategy firm focused on regen. So that’s our first portco 🙂