Thank you for a wonderful inaugural
Rooted in Health
Investing at the Intersection of Regenerative Agriculture & Nutrition
June 22-23 • Virtual Event
The way we do agriculture, the way we manage our soils, the way we process our food, and the way we get our food from farm to table all influence the levels of nutrients we find in our food. Conversely, there are also many things that influence our body’s ability to use what nutrients are available. Better understanding this complex relationship between agriculture, food, and health is of increasing importance as we face both environmental and health crises ranging from climate change to chronic illness and exorbitant costs due to a primarily reactive healthcare system.
Regenerative food systems – ones that value nutrient density from soil to stomach – are seen as a solution to these challenges and present enormous opportunities for further learning, development, and investment. RFSI’s Rooted in Health event dives in to the under-explored connection between regenerative agriculture and nutrition, the pathways to improving human health through agriculture that already exist, the work yet to be done, and the investment levers that may be pulled to advance human health and nutrition.
Addressing an issue as complex as this requires a systems-based, multi-stakeholder approach. This event is for investors and practitioners across the agriculture, food, and health spectrum and is designed to provide:
- A foundation of understanding of the connections and complexities that exist between agriculture, food, and health
- A roadmap for work to be done by various stakeholders involved
- An exploration of the investment and funding opportunities that exist along the path from soil to stomach
- A vision for what comes next and how you fit in
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Agenda | Virtual Program
The inaugural virtual event was held June 22-23.
Day 1 focused on framing the problem, making the connection between agricultural practices and human nutrition, and defining the work to be done and who will do the work.
Day 2 dove deeper into the work to be done, the investment levers that are being pulled right now, and where opportunities exist to advance this space.
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Speakers
We’re gathering a diverse group of practitioners and thought-leaders from across the agriculture, food, healthcare, and investment system for an informative and engaging agenda. Please stay-tuned as we announce speakers soon.
Jyoti Banerjee
Jyoti Banerjee | North Star Transition
Jyoti was part of the team that created the Integrated Reporting movement globally. He has been an impact investor for two decades and used to be an entrepreneur in the tech sector. He taught technology entrepreneurship at Said Business School, University of Oxford. He grew up in New Delhi and lives in London.
Jyoti was part of the team that created the Integrated Reporting movement globally. He has been an impact investor for two decades and used to be an entrepreneur in the tech sector. He taught technology entrepreneurship at Said Business School, University of Oxford. He grew up in New Delhi and lives in London.
Ray Boyle
Ray Boyle
Ray brings people together to design and build the future of their cities and the systems they are supported by. After a decade of working with governments, agencies, foundations, and multi-sector stakeholder groups to develop programs and policies that de-risk experimentation and leverage horizon technology, she is pursuing a Masters Degree in City and Regional Planning from UC Berkeley. She is a student and practitioner of regenerative development and a junior faculty member at the Regenesis Institute.
Ray brings people together to design and build the future of their cities and the systems they are supported by. After a decade of working with governments, agencies, foundations, and multi-sector stakeholder groups to develop programs and policies that de-risk experimentation and leverage horizon technology, she is pursuing a Masters Degree in City and Regional Planning from UC Berkeley. She is a student and practitioner of regenerative development and a junior faculty member at the Regenesis Institute.
Raya Carr
Raya Carr
Growing up and working on her family’s organic farm, Mint Creek, since the early 1990s, Raya has witnessed how organic, regenerative farming can work to heal the whole farm ecosystem--not only the land, but the animals and communities involved, too. On a larger scale, Raya is excited to support farmers across the U.S. as a relationship manager for Iroquois Valley, helping organic farmers get the financing & land access tools they need to thrive. Raya continues to be involved with Mint Creek, and she organizes a seasonal farm dinner & tour series as well as other projects for her family’s farm, too.
Growing up and working on her family’s organic farm, Mint Creek, since the early 1990s, Raya has witnessed how organic, regenerative farming can work to heal the whole farm ecosystem--not only the land, but the animals and communities involved, too. On a larger scale, Raya is excited to support farmers across the U.S. as a relationship manager for Iroquois Valley, helping organic farmers get the financing & land access tools they need to thrive. Raya continues to be involved with Mint Creek, and she organizes a seasonal farm dinner & tour series as well as other projects for her family’s farm, too.
Lee Chae
Lee Chae | Co-Founder & CTO | Brightseed
Lee Chae, Co-Founder & CTO, is a computational and molecular biologist who oversees Brightseed’s cutting edge plant discovery technology. He’s a seasoned R&D technology developer and has designed advanced discovery methodologies for food technology, agricultural biotech, biomedicine, and synthetic biology. He has been a principal scientist of multiple discoveries, including machine-learning driven discovery of novel nutritional bioactives in plants and computationally guided identification of plant-based proteins for food. He received his Ph.D. in Plant Biology, Computational and Genomic Biology at UC Berkeley, where he was also a founding member of the Quantitative Biosciences Institute, and performed his post-doctoral training at the Carnegie Institution at Stanford University.
Lee Chae, Co-Founder & CTO, is a computational and molecular biologist who oversees Brightseed’s cutting edge plant discovery technology. He’s a seasoned R&D technology developer and has designed advanced discovery methodologies for food technology, agricultural biotech, biomedicine, and synthetic biology. He has been a principal scientist of multiple discoveries, including machine-learning driven discovery of novel nutritional bioactives in plants and computationally guided identification of plant-based proteins for food. He received his Ph.D. in Plant Biology, Computational and Genomic Biology at UC Berkeley, where he was also a founding member of the Quantitative Biosciences Institute, and performed his post-doctoral training at the Carnegie Institution at Stanford University.
Sofia Elizondo
Sofia Elizondo | Co-Founder and COO | Brightseed
Sofia Elizondo is the co-founder and COO of Brightseed, a biosciences company leveraging A.I. to illuminate the connection between plants and people A business leader with two decades of experience building multimillion dollar companies and brands in the consumer goods, pharmaceutical, and technology industries, Sofia has led innovation in the development and marketing of plant-based foods, and has advised start-ups pursuing new foods and ingredients found in nature. In addition to her work with the Boston Consulting Group, she advised the United Nations on private sector adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals. She has an MBA from Stanford University.
Sofia Elizondo is the co-founder and COO of Brightseed, a biosciences company leveraging A.I. to illuminate the connection between plants and people A business leader with two decades of experience building multimillion dollar companies and brands in the consumer goods, pharmaceutical, and technology industries, Sofia has led innovation in the development and marketing of plant-based foods, and has advised start-ups pursuing new foods and ingredients found in nature. In addition to her work with the Boston Consulting Group, she advised the United Nations on private sector adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals. She has an MBA from Stanford University.
Mandy Ellerton
Mandy Ellerton | Operations Lead | Bionutrient Food Association
Mandy Ellerton leads operations at the Bionutrient Food Association, an organization focused on increasing quality in the food supply. Mandy recently concluded nine years at the Bush Foundation, a place-based, private foundation in the Midwest. As a senior leader at the Foundation, she created and led the groundbreaking Community Innovation programs that funded cross-sector social innovation projects focused on advancing equity in a variety of fields. During her tenure, these programs provided nearly $80 million in grants all across the Foundation’s region. She also developed and led the Foundation’s Social Business Ventures Initiative and worked with the Foundation’s executive leadership and board investment committee to develop its race equity and place-based impact investing strategy.
Mandy came to the Foundation from Grassroots Solutions, a national grassroots organizing and strategy firm where she led both legislative advocacy projects and strategy consulting for foundations and the private sector. Mandy holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota, with a concentration in community organizing, and a B.A. degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. She is also a trained nutritional therapist. She was named one of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” awardees in 2020; named a Fellow in RSF Social Finance’s 2018-2019 Integrated Capital Institute; and selected for the Young American Leaders Program at Harvard Business School in 2016.
Mandy Ellerton leads operations at the Bionutrient Food Association, an organization focused on increasing quality in the food supply. Mandy recently concluded nine years at the Bush Foundation, a place-based, private foundation in the Midwest. As a senior leader at the Foundation, she created and led the groundbreaking Community Innovation programs that funded cross-sector social innovation projects focused on advancing equity in a variety of fields. During her tenure, these programs provided nearly $80 million in grants all across the Foundation’s region. She also developed and led the Foundation’s Social Business Ventures Initiative and worked with the Foundation’s executive leadership and board investment committee to develop its race equity and place-based impact investing strategy.
Mandy came to the Foundation from Grassroots Solutions, a national grassroots organizing and strategy firm where she led both legislative advocacy projects and strategy consulting for foundations and the private sector. Mandy holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota, with a concentration in community organizing, and a B.A. degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. She is also a trained nutritional therapist. She was named one of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” awardees in 2020; named a Fellow in RSF Social Finance’s 2018-2019 Integrated Capital Institute; and selected for the Young American Leaders Program at Harvard Business School in 2016.
John Fagan
John Fagan | Health Research Institute
Dr. John Fagan is Chairman and Chief Scientist at Health Research Institute (www.HRILabs.org), a 501(c)(3) non-profit researching the links between (a) regenerative agricultural practices, (b) the safety and nutritional value of foods, (c) consumer health and well-being, and (d) the health of the planet. HRI collaborates widely to catalyze the global transition to regenerative agricultural systems that produce pure, safe, healthy food while creating balance and regenerating the planet. As Professor of Molecular Biology at Maharishi International University, USA, (www.miu.edu), Dr. Fagan uses transcriptomics and metabolomics to research the molecular biology of higher states of consciousness. Dr. Fagan is also a successful entrepreneur, having founded, built and sold the company Global ID Group, (now FoodChain ID), where he pioneered innovative genetic tools that have advanced food sustainability, and contributed to defining the global regulatory and commercial landscape for GMOs.
Dr. John Fagan is Chairman and Chief Scientist at Health Research Institute (www.HRILabs.org), a 501(c)(3) non-profit researching the links between (a) regenerative agricultural practices, (b) the safety and nutritional value of foods, (c) consumer health and well-being, and (d) the health of the planet. HRI collaborates widely to catalyze the global transition to regenerative agricultural systems that produce pure, safe, healthy food while creating balance and regenerating the planet. As Professor of Molecular Biology at Maharishi International University, USA, (www.miu.edu), Dr. Fagan uses transcriptomics and metabolomics to research the molecular biology of higher states of consciousness. Dr. Fagan is also a successful entrepreneur, having founded, built and sold the company Global ID Group, (now FoodChain ID), where he pioneered innovative genetic tools that have advanced food sustainability, and contributed to defining the global regulatory and commercial landscape for GMOs.
Dr. Jeremy Goss
Dr. Jeremy Goss | Surgeon | Link Market
Jeremy is a surgeon and a social entrepreneur who is passionate about food justice, hunger, and health. In 2013 he transformed a city bus into a mobile farmers market to improve access to healthy, affordable food for hungry people. In 2017, he founded the Link Market - a chain of small footprint, large impact non-profit grocery stores which serve food desert communities.
Jeremy is a surgeon and a social entrepreneur who is passionate about food justice, hunger, and health. In 2013 he transformed a city bus into a mobile farmers market to improve access to healthy, affordable food for hungry people. In 2017, he founded the Link Market - a chain of small footprint, large impact non-profit grocery stores which serve food desert communities.
Eric Jackson
Eric Jackson | Bionutrient Food Association
Eric Jackson’s background in supply chain and ag tech was primarily focused on increasing quantity, not quality in food and agriculture. After a 38+ year career of devoting his energies to all things commercial in the food and ag space, he decided to focus his remaining productivity on bending the arc of the future of food in the right direction. It is his belief that healthy communities derive from just food systems, which rely on healthy ecosystems as their source. To that end he’s working on regenerative food systems through several initiatives. His current efforts are primarily channeled through the Bionutrient Food Association, Other Half Processing, Homeplate Foods and the Forever Green Partnership. He calls this phase Act Three.
Act Two was the in-between years. After leaving the corporate world in 2007, he launched a number of initiatives to explore soil carbon sequestration, ag tech development and organic supply chain management.
Act One, his first 25 years after college, was solely dedicated to maximizing profits for three different companies—The Scoular Company, International Proteins Corporation and The Pillsbury Company, where he began his career. While he was successful at these endeavors, he now realizes that his time could have been better spent if he had any clue about alternative paths.
Eric graduated with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois. Son of a PhD in Physics and a B.A. in Fine Arts. Born in MA, raised in IL, living in MN since 1983 (except 5 years in NJ between ’88-’93).
Eric Jackson’s background in supply chain and ag tech was primarily focused on increasing quantity, not quality in food and agriculture. After a 38+ year career of devoting his energies to all things commercial in the food and ag space, he decided to focus his remaining productivity on bending the arc of the future of food in the right direction. It is his belief that healthy communities derive from just food systems, which rely on healthy ecosystems as their source. To that end he’s working on regenerative food systems through several initiatives. His current efforts are primarily channeled through the Bionutrient Food Association, Other Half Processing, Homeplate Foods and the Forever Green Partnership. He calls this phase Act Three.
Act Two was the in-between years. After leaving the corporate world in 2007, he launched a number of initiatives to explore soil carbon sequestration, ag tech development and organic supply chain management.
Act One, his first 25 years after college, was solely dedicated to maximizing profits for three different companies—The Scoular Company, International Proteins Corporation and The Pillsbury Company, where he began his career. While he was successful at these endeavors, he now realizes that his time could have been better spent if he had any clue about alternative paths.
Eric graduated with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois. Son of a PhD in Physics and a B.A. in Fine Arts. Born in MA, raised in IL, living in MN since 1983 (except 5 years in NJ between ’88-’93).
Dan Kittredge
Dan Kittredge | Founder and Executive director | Bionutrient Food Association
Kittredge has been an organic farmer for more than 30 years and is the founder and executive director of the Bionutrient Food Association (BFA), a non-profit whose mission is to “increase quality in the food supply.” Known as one of the leading proponents of “nutrient density,” Dan works to demonstrate the connections between soil health, plant health, and human health. Out of these efforts was born the Real Food Campaign, which has engineered a prototype of a hand-held consumer spectrometer designed to test nutrient density at point of purchase. Via the Bionutrient Meter, the goal is to empower consumers to choose for nutrient quality and thereby leverage economic incentives to drive full system regeneration.
Kittredge has been an organic farmer for more than 30 years and is the founder and executive director of the Bionutrient Food Association (BFA), a non-profit whose mission is to “increase quality in the food supply.” Known as one of the leading proponents of “nutrient density,” Dan works to demonstrate the connections between soil health, plant health, and human health. Out of these efforts was born the Real Food Campaign, which has engineered a prototype of a hand-held consumer spectrometer designed to test nutrient density at point of purchase. Via the Bionutrient Meter, the goal is to empower consumers to choose for nutrient quality and thereby leverage economic incentives to drive full system regeneration.
David LeZaks
David LeZaks | Croatan Institute
David LeZaks, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, is an environmental scientist and financial activist whose work is centered around developing innovative mechanisms for financing the transition to agroecological farming and food systems. Before joining Croatan Institute, Dr. LeZaks led the Regenerative Food Systems initiative at Delta Institute in Chicago, where he managed a portfolio of projects that focused on the design and deployment of disruptive mechanisms to unlock substantial capital flows into regenerative agriculture. Previously, he served as an RSF Social Finance Integrated Capital Institute fellow. Earlier in his career, David was a postdoctoral scientist at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where he completed his Ph.D. in Environment and Resources and an M.S. in Land Resources. Afterward, he served as Managing Scientist of the Knowledge Systems for Sustainability Consortium and Program Director of the university’s Agricultural Innovation Prize. Currently, he serves in advisory roles to Mad Agriculture, the Savanna Institute, Nourishn, Council of Development Finance Agencies’ Food Systems Finance Advisory Council, and the Transformational Investing in Food Systems initiative, an allied initiative of the Global Alliance for the Future of Food. He is based in Madison, Wisconsin, where he is active in a number of community organizations and spends his spare time gardening and participating in a variety of silent sports.
David LeZaks, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, is an environmental scientist and financial activist whose work is centered around developing innovative mechanisms for financing the transition to agroecological farming and food systems. Before joining Croatan Institute, Dr. LeZaks led the Regenerative Food Systems initiative at Delta Institute in Chicago, where he managed a portfolio of projects that focused on the design and deployment of disruptive mechanisms to unlock substantial capital flows into regenerative agriculture. Previously, he served as an RSF Social Finance Integrated Capital Institute fellow. Earlier in his career, David was a postdoctoral scientist at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where he completed his Ph.D. in Environment and Resources and an M.S. in Land Resources. Afterward, he served as Managing Scientist of the Knowledge Systems for Sustainability Consortium and Program Director of the university’s Agricultural Innovation Prize. Currently, he serves in advisory roles to Mad Agriculture, the Savanna Institute, Nourishn, Council of Development Finance Agencies’ Food Systems Finance Advisory Council, and the Transformational Investing in Food Systems initiative, an allied initiative of the Global Alliance for the Future of Food. He is based in Madison, Wisconsin, where he is active in a number of community organizations and spends his spare time gardening and participating in a variety of silent sports.
Renkse Lynde
Renkse Lynde | General Partner | 1st Course Capital
Renske Lynde has been an advocate for a healthier & more sustainable food system for 20+ years. She is a General Partner of 1st Course Capital, an early stage venture fund in food & agriculture. Renske is also a co-founder of Food System 6 which is a non-profit accelerator based in the SF Bay Area that supports mission-driven entrepreneurs from around the world transforming how we grow, produce and distribute food. Renske began her career in the food system advocating for sustainable agriculture in global trade policy agreements and went on to build direct markets for growers and producers in Philadelphia. She subsequently directed efforts to improve the food stamp and school meal programs for the San Francisco Food Bank. She holds BA degrees from Boston University in Political Science and Psychology and an MPP from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy.
Renske Lynde has been an advocate for a healthier & more sustainable food system for 20+ years. She is a General Partner of 1st Course Capital, an early stage venture fund in food & agriculture. Renske is also a co-founder of Food System 6 which is a non-profit accelerator based in the SF Bay Area that supports mission-driven entrepreneurs from around the world transforming how we grow, produce and distribute food. Renske began her career in the food system advocating for sustainable agriculture in global trade policy agreements and went on to build direct markets for growers and producers in Philadelphia. She subsequently directed efforts to improve the food stamp and school meal programs for the San Francisco Food Bank. She holds BA degrees from Boston University in Political Science and Psychology and an MPP from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy.
Erin Meyer
Erin Meyer | Basil’s Harvest
Erin is a mom, dietitian, chef, and food systems professional who believes that food system change begins with your food story. Take a moment to close your eyes and visualize your food story - It's powerful. Erin’s story is watching her great-aunt on Christmas eve taste prosciutto, that she cured, close her eyes and say, "just like mama's." Her life's food stories have guided her to where she is today. Her thirty + years of experience in healthcare education, nonprofit leadership, relationship building, and collaborative work with farmers, culinary and health professionals, and food system experts has given her the gift to create Basil's Harvest. We are a nonprofit that exists to nurture a more healthful, equitable, and resilient food system by lifting up the critical connections between the health of people, farms, and soil.
Erin is a mom, dietitian, chef, and food systems professional who believes that food system change begins with your food story. Take a moment to close your eyes and visualize your food story - It's powerful. Erin’s story is watching her great-aunt on Christmas eve taste prosciutto, that she cured, close her eyes and say, "just like mama's." Her life's food stories have guided her to where she is today. Her thirty + years of experience in healthcare education, nonprofit leadership, relationship building, and collaborative work with farmers, culinary and health professionals, and food system experts has given her the gift to create Basil's Harvest. We are a nonprofit that exists to nurture a more healthful, equitable, and resilient food system by lifting up the critical connections between the health of people, farms, and soil.
Tina Owens
Tina Owens | Senior Director of Food & Agriculture Impact | Danone North America
Tina Owens is the Senior Director of Food & Agriculture Impact for Danone North America, the largest public benefit corporation and the largest Certified B Corporation in the world. Tina leads the charge for embedding regenerative agriculture practices, farmer resiliency, regenerative financing and industry collaboration. Tina is passionate about creating communally beneficial systems of agriculture that incentivize farmers to convert to practices which will increase soil organic matter. Over the past 10 years her focus has been on partnerships that are mutually beneficial throughout the supply chain, from soil and farm to brand and consumer. During her time at Danone North America Tina has completed a multi-year ag funding agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a collaboration which led to the awarding of a $3M Conservation Innovation Grant from the NRCS for 2020-2023. This grant will enable farmer partners within Danone’s Soil Health Program to cover a myriad of costs in transitioning to regenerative agriculture practices, as well as track the impact to farmer profitability during the conversion. Tina also spearheaded the Danone partnership with rePlant Capital, an impact investing fund, which is lending direct to farmers by providing low-cost loans to fuel conversions to regenerative and organic agriculture. This partnership led to a commitment of $20M (40%) of rePlant’s funding to be targeted to Danone’s farmer partners over the coming years. Tina resides with her family on 20 acres in Michigan, where they are transitioning previously farmed land to a food forest under the principles of permaculture.
Tina Owens is the Senior Director of Food & Agriculture Impact for Danone North America, the largest public benefit corporation and the largest Certified B Corporation in the world. Tina leads the charge for embedding regenerative agriculture practices, farmer resiliency, regenerative financing and industry collaboration. Tina is passionate about creating communally beneficial systems of agriculture that incentivize farmers to convert to practices which will increase soil organic matter. Over the past 10 years her focus has been on partnerships that are mutually beneficial throughout the supply chain, from soil and farm to brand and consumer. During her time at Danone North America Tina has completed a multi-year ag funding agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a collaboration which led to the awarding of a $3M Conservation Innovation Grant from the NRCS for 2020-2023. This grant will enable farmer partners within Danone’s Soil Health Program to cover a myriad of costs in transitioning to regenerative agriculture practices, as well as track the impact to farmer profitability during the conversion. Tina also spearheaded the Danone partnership with rePlant Capital, an impact investing fund, which is lending direct to farmers by providing low-cost loans to fuel conversions to regenerative and organic agriculture. This partnership led to a commitment of $20M (40%) of rePlant’s funding to be targeted to Danone’s farmer partners over the coming years. Tina resides with her family on 20 acres in Michigan, where they are transitioning previously farmed land to a food forest under the principles of permaculture.
Urvashi Rangan
Urvashi Rangan | Environmental Health Scientist, Toxicologist and Investigator
Urvashi Rangan is an environmental health scientist, toxicologist and investigator with more than 25 years of experience deciphering food systems to educate consumers, companies, government agencies and philanthropic investors on the best systems to support. She is Chief Science Advisor to the Grace Communications Foundation and its programmatic site, FoodPrint.org, both focused on regenerative food systems, labeling and other food production issues. She currently serves as co-Co-chair for Funders for Regenerative Agriculture. She is a spokesperson on the benefits of regenerative agriculture as a way to elevate the health of the entire food system and our food and has expertise in a wide range of food safety risks - pathogens, pesticides, antibiotic resistance, arsenic and other carcinogens. She speaks extensively to universities, conferences and the media on the ability of regenerative agriculture to solve a myriad of social problems and crisis.
She has won several awards in investigative journalism and communications, participated in a number of public debates on food systems, testified to Congress and other agencies, as well as served as a member of the FDA Food Advisory Committee. From 1999-2016, Urvashi worked at Consumer Reports leading Product Safety, launching the Food Safety and Sustainability Center and directed dozens of investigations and developed label ratings for environmental labels. She is a frequent speaker on the national stage including TedX, Aspen Ideas Festival, Chicago Ideas Festival, and dozens of national media spots. She received her PhD in Environmental Health Sciences from Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health.
In addition to FORA, Urvashi co-chairs the True Cost Accounting impact area, at the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, and was a founding board member of the Grassfed Alliance.
Urvashi Rangan is an environmental health scientist, toxicologist and investigator with more than 25 years of experience deciphering food systems to educate consumers, companies, government agencies and philanthropic investors on the best systems to support. She is Chief Science Advisor to the Grace Communications Foundation and its programmatic site, FoodPrint.org, both focused on regenerative food systems, labeling and other food production issues. She currently serves as co-Co-chair for Funders for Regenerative Agriculture. She is a spokesperson on the benefits of regenerative agriculture as a way to elevate the health of the entire food system and our food and has expertise in a wide range of food safety risks - pathogens, pesticides, antibiotic resistance, arsenic and other carcinogens. She speaks extensively to universities, conferences and the media on the ability of regenerative agriculture to solve a myriad of social problems and crisis.
She has won several awards in investigative journalism and communications, participated in a number of public debates on food systems, testified to Congress and other agencies, as well as served as a member of the FDA Food Advisory Committee. From 1999-2016, Urvashi worked at Consumer Reports leading Product Safety, launching the Food Safety and Sustainability Center and directed dozens of investigations and developed label ratings for environmental labels. She is a frequent speaker on the national stage including TedX, Aspen Ideas Festival, Chicago Ideas Festival, and dozens of national media spots. She received her PhD in Environmental Health Sciences from Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health.
In addition to FORA, Urvashi co-chairs the True Cost Accounting impact area, at the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, and was a founding board member of the Grassfed Alliance.
Greg Shewmaker
Greg Shewmaker | TeakOrigin
One day Greg asked the questions “what’s in my food?” and “what’s it doing to me/my family?” When the search for answers simply led to more questions, Greg decided to dedicate his life to understanding food and our food systems.
Greg was the Founder of Food+Future, a multi-year exploration into the future of food with Target, IDEO, MIT and Intel. He also started two other international companies and was the Chief Merchant at the #2 e-commerce company in the world.
His personal commitment to complete food transparency drives his efforts at TeakOrigin. Greg works with our partners around the globe to scale our efforts in ways that will help inform and enable better food decisions for everyone.
One day Greg asked the questions “what’s in my food?” and “what’s it doing to me/my family?” When the search for answers simply led to more questions, Greg decided to dedicate his life to understanding food and our food systems.
Greg was the Founder of Food+Future, a multi-year exploration into the future of food with Target, IDEO, MIT and Intel. He also started two other international companies and was the Chief Merchant at the #2 e-commerce company in the world.
His personal commitment to complete food transparency drives his efforts at TeakOrigin. Greg works with our partners around the globe to scale our efforts in ways that will help inform and enable better food decisions for everyone.
David Strelneck
David Strelneck | Founder and Global Director | Nourish^N
David is Founder and Global Director of the Nourishment Economies Coalition, an international association of social entrepreneurs who build unconventional enterprises and approaches at the overlap of health, food, agriculture, and the natural environment. David's guiding vision is to grow the number of leaders in companies, governments, and communities that see and act on clear economic, scientific, and cultural opportunities at this overlap, fueling regenerative growth in society. David has degrees in public policy and political science, and has spent three decades organizing and analyzing systemic approaches to social and environmental challenges in thirty countries in collaboration with local social entrepreneurs, Ashoka, United Nations agencies, local and global NGOs, and others.
David is Founder and Global Director of the Nourishment Economies Coalition, an international association of social entrepreneurs who build unconventional enterprises and approaches at the overlap of health, food, agriculture, and the natural environment. David's guiding vision is to grow the number of leaders in companies, governments, and communities that see and act on clear economic, scientific, and cultural opportunities at this overlap, fueling regenerative growth in society. David has degrees in public policy and political science, and has spent three decades organizing and analyzing systemic approaches to social and environmental challenges in thirty countries in collaboration with local social entrepreneurs, Ashoka, United Nations agencies, local and global NGOs, and others.
Dr. Stephen Rivard
Dr. Stephen Rivard | Iroquois Valley Farms
Dr. Rivard has a long history of entrepreneurship in the medical and health field. After earning his undergraduate and medical degrees from Loyola University of Chicago, he began a practice in the newest medical specialty of the time, emergency medicine. After 26 years – and having raised two children — he changed careers and founded Illinois Vein Specialists in Illinois in 2008, another growing medical specialty business. He also began diversifying his investments to focus on health and organic farmland. His interest in organic farming goes beyond profit. It also includes the mission of creating a more socially conscious and sustainable future for his children. Dr. Rivard is now reaching out to other physicians and health care professionals to bring attention to the varied health illnesses associated with our current food production system. Specifically, he is concerned about the growth of Type 2 diabetes, food allergies and various cancer incidences that may be associated with our food choices. He views investing in Iroquois Valley Farms as a chance to both reclaim our health and sustainably grow capital.
Dr. Rivard has a long history of entrepreneurship in the medical and health field. After earning his undergraduate and medical degrees from Loyola University of Chicago, he began a practice in the newest medical specialty of the time, emergency medicine. After 26 years – and having raised two children — he changed careers and founded Illinois Vein Specialists in Illinois in 2008, another growing medical specialty business. He also began diversifying his investments to focus on health and organic farmland. His interest in organic farming goes beyond profit. It also includes the mission of creating a more socially conscious and sustainable future for his children. Dr. Rivard is now reaching out to other physicians and health care professionals to bring attention to the varied health illnesses associated with our current food production system. Specifically, he is concerned about the growth of Type 2 diabetes, food allergies and various cancer incidences that may be associated with our food choices. He views investing in Iroquois Valley Farms as a chance to both reclaim our health and sustainably grow capital.
Jeff Tkach
Jeff Tkach | Chief Impact Officer | Rodale Institute
Jeff Tkach serves as the Chief Impact Officer for the Rodale Institute. Jeff is responsible for expanding Rodale Institute’s global influence in healing people and the planet by unlocking the transformational power of regenerative organic agriculture. As Chief Impact Officer, Jeff leads the development and execution of the Institute’s core strategies, overseeing opportunities for partnership and co-investment that drive positive outcomes for Rodale’s philanthropic and programmatic initiatives.
Jeff served on the Rodale Institute’s Board of Directors in 2016, where he was instrumental in fostering relationships between the organization and business leaders in the organic food industry. With the commencement of his role as Chief Growth Officer, Tkach resigned from his position as a Board member.
From 2015 – 2016, Jeff served as Managing Director and Vice President for Rodale’s Organic Life and Prevention Magazines, where he oversaw business objectives and strategic operations for both brands, leading efforts across print and digital advertising, sales and marketing, live events, and e-tailing to maximize growth opportunities.
Previously, Tkach served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Life Time Fitness and as Group Publisher at Active Interest Media (AIM) from 2013-2015, overseeing Yoga Journal and Vegetarian Times. He was responsible for leading Yoga Journal’s relaunch in 2014, resulting in a record-breaking 40th year of publication for the brand.
A Pennsylvania native, Tkach earned a degree in business marketing from Kutztown University and a post graduate “Authentic Leadership Certificate” from Naropa University in Boulder, CO. He regularly speaks at various industry organizations on behalf of Rodale Institute, in an effort to catalyze the human connection to regenerative organic agriculture and its ability to heal the world.
Jeff Tkach serves as the Chief Impact Officer for the Rodale Institute. Jeff is responsible for expanding Rodale Institute’s global influence in healing people and the planet by unlocking the transformational power of regenerative organic agriculture. As Chief Impact Officer, Jeff leads the development and execution of the Institute’s core strategies, overseeing opportunities for partnership and co-investment that drive positive outcomes for Rodale’s philanthropic and programmatic initiatives.
Jeff served on the Rodale Institute’s Board of Directors in 2016, where he was instrumental in fostering relationships between the organization and business leaders in the organic food industry. With the commencement of his role as Chief Growth Officer, Tkach resigned from his position as a Board member.
From 2015 – 2016, Jeff served as Managing Director and Vice President for Rodale’s Organic Life and Prevention Magazines, where he oversaw business objectives and strategic operations for both brands, leading efforts across print and digital advertising, sales and marketing, live events, and e-tailing to maximize growth opportunities.
Previously, Tkach served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Life Time Fitness and as Group Publisher at Active Interest Media (AIM) from 2013-2015, overseeing Yoga Journal and Vegetarian Times. He was responsible for leading Yoga Journal’s relaunch in 2014, resulting in a record-breaking 40th year of publication for the brand.
A Pennsylvania native, Tkach earned a degree in business marketing from Kutztown University and a post graduate “Authentic Leadership Certificate” from Naropa University in Boulder, CO. He regularly speaks at various industry organizations on behalf of Rodale Institute, in an effort to catalyze the human connection to regenerative organic agriculture and its ability to heal the world.
Cheryl Toner
Cheryl Toner | Portfolio Lead for Nutrition | American Heart Association
Cheryl Toner is the Portfolio Lead for Nutrition for the American Heart Association (AHA). She is responsible for overall food system strategy, including oversight of the Foodscape InnovationTM initiative and Industry Nutrition Forum, as well as enterprise-wide nutrition security strategy. Prior to joining AHA, Cheryl led CDT Consulting, LLC, providing strategic counsel and program management services to organizations and companies around the nexus of food and health, integrating insights from research, policy, health influencers, consumers, and the food and nutrient supply chain from farm to retail. She completed a 3-year fellowship with the Nutritional Science Research Group in the Division of Cancer Prevention at the National Cancer Institute, where she supported a public/private initiative on “Enhancing Translation of Nutrition Science from Bench to Food Supply,” and served as Director of Health Communications with the International Food Information Council in Washington, DC. Cheryl has been an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for 20 years, serving in leadership for the Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition and Dietitians in Business and Communications dietetic practice groups, Northern Virginia and District of Columbia affiliates, and the New Member Advisory Committee. She earned a BS in nutrition with a minor in Spanish at the University of Houston and MS in nutrition at Texas Woman’s University, and completed her dietetic internship at the Houston Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center.
Cheryl Toner is the Portfolio Lead for Nutrition for the American Heart Association (AHA). She is responsible for overall food system strategy, including oversight of the Foodscape InnovationTM initiative and Industry Nutrition Forum, as well as enterprise-wide nutrition security strategy. Prior to joining AHA, Cheryl led CDT Consulting, LLC, providing strategic counsel and program management services to organizations and companies around the nexus of food and health, integrating insights from research, policy, health influencers, consumers, and the food and nutrient supply chain from farm to retail. She completed a 3-year fellowship with the Nutritional Science Research Group in the Division of Cancer Prevention at the National Cancer Institute, where she supported a public/private initiative on “Enhancing Translation of Nutrition Science from Bench to Food Supply,” and served as Director of Health Communications with the International Food Information Council in Washington, DC. Cheryl has been an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for 20 years, serving in leadership for the Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition and Dietitians in Business and Communications dietetic practice groups, Northern Virginia and District of Columbia affiliates, and the New Member Advisory Committee. She earned a BS in nutrition with a minor in Spanish at the University of Houston and MS in nutrition at Texas Woman’s University, and completed her dietetic internship at the Houston Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center.
David Wallinga
David Wallinga
Dr. David Wallinga is a physician with more than 20 years of experience in writing, policy, and advocacy at the intersection of food, communities, and health. His work on food and farming as an ecologically-based system has laid the groundwork for understanding them as important social and environmental determinants of health. He has worked to address the impact of federal pesticide policies and practices on child brain health; to change Farm Bill policies that promote overproduction and overconsumption of junk food calories and have helped fuel a rise in obesity; and to reverse the enormous overuse of antibiotics in industrial-style U.S. livestock production, its contribution to a “slow-moving” pandemic of superbug bacteria, and the federal policies that incentivize these practices. Dr. Wallinga advocates for policies that promote production of good food for communities that is more accessible, safe, and nutritious; more resilient, climate-friendly livestock production that is also safer for downstream communities; and investments in food systems and rural communities based on equity and fairness. He completed his medical school education at the University of Minnesota. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Dartmouth College and a master’s degree in public affairs from Princeton University. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, but is descended from Iowans.
Dr. David Wallinga is a physician with more than 20 years of experience in writing, policy, and advocacy at the intersection of food, communities, and health. His work on food and farming as an ecologically-based system has laid the groundwork for understanding them as important social and environmental determinants of health. He has worked to address the impact of federal pesticide policies and practices on child brain health; to change Farm Bill policies that promote overproduction and overconsumption of junk food calories and have helped fuel a rise in obesity; and to reverse the enormous overuse of antibiotics in industrial-style U.S. livestock production, its contribution to a “slow-moving” pandemic of superbug bacteria, and the federal policies that incentivize these practices. Dr. Wallinga advocates for policies that promote production of good food for communities that is more accessible, safe, and nutritious; more resilient, climate-friendly livestock production that is also safer for downstream communities; and investments in food systems and rural communities based on equity and fairness. He completed his medical school education at the University of Minnesota. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Dartmouth College and a master’s degree in public affairs from Princeton University. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, but is descended from Iowans.
Donald Wyse
Donald Wyse | Professor, Co-Director (CINRAM) | University of Minnesota
Dr. Donald Wyse’s conducts research on the biology and ecology of invasive weeds, diversification of cropping systems, weed management in annual and perennial cropping systems, design and management of renewable energy systems, and selection and breeding of winter annual and perennial crops.
Dr. Donald Wyse’s conducts research on the biology and ecology of invasive weeds, diversification of cropping systems, weed management in annual and perennial cropping systems, design and management of renewable energy systems, and selection and breeding of winter annual and perennial crops.
Roger Wyse
Roger Wyse | Spruce Capital Partners
Dr. Wyse is Founder & Managing Partner at Spruce Capital Partners, a venture management company with $320 million under management. Spruce Capital invests in early-stage companies with technologies that enable disruptive solutions to the challenges facing agriculture, the food system and the broader bioeconomy; i.e., increasing production, with limited water and labor, while reducing environmental impact and mitigating climate changes. Previously, he was President and COO of Biogreentech at Burrill & Company.
Before joining Burrill, Dr. Wyse served for five years as Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which is widely known for research excellence across its programs in biological, food, and agricultural sciences.
Dr. Wyse spent 16 years as a plant scientist in the USDA-ARS earning national and international recognition for his fundamental research on the physiological factors that determine yield potential in crop plants.
Until 2017, Dr. Wyse was a member of the International Advisory Panel for Biotechnology (BioIAP) and the Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council (GSIAC) for the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Dr. Wyse currently serves on the boards of Lanzatech, Inscripta, Amfora, Pivot Bio, Evolve Biosystems, and Napigen. He also serves on the board of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization and is actively engaged with several organizations to promote the principles of “regenerative” agriculture.
Dr. Wyse is Founder & Managing Partner at Spruce Capital Partners, a venture management company with $320 million under management. Spruce Capital invests in early-stage companies with technologies that enable disruptive solutions to the challenges facing agriculture, the food system and the broader bioeconomy; i.e., increasing production, with limited water and labor, while reducing environmental impact and mitigating climate changes. Previously, he was President and COO of Biogreentech at Burrill & Company.
Before joining Burrill, Dr. Wyse served for five years as Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which is widely known for research excellence across its programs in biological, food, and agricultural sciences.
Dr. Wyse spent 16 years as a plant scientist in the USDA-ARS earning national and international recognition for his fundamental research on the physiological factors that determine yield potential in crop plants.
Until 2017, Dr. Wyse was a member of the International Advisory Panel for Biotechnology (BioIAP) and the Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council (GSIAC) for the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Dr. Wyse currently serves on the boards of Lanzatech, Inscripta, Amfora, Pivot Bio, Evolve Biosystems, and Napigen. He also serves on the board of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization and is actively engaged with several organizations to promote the principles of “regenerative” agriculture.
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