Meet The Women Leading The Future Of Food

The food sustainability movement is arguably the most exciting trend in the world today. It's addressing many of the world’s most pressing problems, such as climate change, chronic disease, water scarcity, and antibiotic resistance. Without it, we are much more likely to destroy the possibility of human life on this planet.

Fortunately, droves of entrepreneurs are diving into the food world to tackle these problems head on. They’re also creating incredible business’ in the process. Not surprisingly, women are leading the charge to save mother earth before it’s too late. Here’s a list of some of the most impressive female leaders in the sustainable food space.

Gigi Lee Chang Food Future

Gigi Lee Chang

Gigi Lee Chang - Food Future Co Accelerator

Inspired by her son to found Plum Organics 12 years ago, her mission was to create a brand that reflected the values and lifestyle of contemporary parents today. While subsequently running the national non-profit Healthy Child Healthy World, Gigi learned a lot about our food system and the impact it is having on our children. Known as Generation Rx, this generation of children is the first estimated to have a shorter lifespan that previous generations. Realizing that in order to truly heal ourselves and our planet, Gigi and her team work across the food ecosystem since consumer products (no matter how well sourced they might be) just isn’t enough.

The vision for FoodFutureCo is the central idea that if we fix food, we can fix almost all other major challenges our society is facing as they are intrinsically connected to food and agriculture. Her hope is that by working with 10-12 companies a year, over a 10-year horizon, they will have a portfolio of 100+ companies to help build a movement and inspire others to do the same.

As Managing Director of FoodFutureCo, the primary focus is to be a thought partner to their cohort companies, helping them to process key questions that will help them to scale their business. Throughout the program, they bring together thought leaders, mentors, and advisors drawn from a range of sectors - consumer products, agriculture, culinary, and sustainability amongst others. Thankfully, Gigi’s leading a charge that will help to fundamentally improve our food system and the health of our future generations.

Mary Kay James Tyson Foods

Mary Kay James

Mary Kay James - Tyson New Ventures

Mary Kay James has been tapped to lead the $150 million venture fund launched by Tyson Foods in 2016. She laughed when she received the job offer from Tyson, because she’d already heard about the position from multiple friends who thought she’d be perfect for the role. The stars had aligned, and Mary Kay jumped at the opportunity.

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