"Maximize Product Utilization" - Following the Roadmap to 2030 Webinar Series

Jackie Suggitt

Stakeholder Engagement Director - ReFED

Jackie serves as ReFED’s Stakeholder Engagement Director. In her position, she builds REFED’s diverse multi-sector network, manages external partnerships, and leads planning for the annual Food Waste Summit. Before joining ReFED, Jackie worked as Senior Manager of Sustainability at Walmart where she led a number of sustainable food and nutrition programs for Walmart’s global and private brand business.

Jonathan Deutsch, Ph.D.

Director - Drexel Food Lab

Jonathan Deutsch, Ph.D., CHE, CRC is Professor in the Department of Food and Hospitality Management in the College of Nursing and Health Professions at Drexel University and Director of the Drexel Food Lab. He is the President of the Upcycled Food Foundation and previously was the inaugural James Beard Foundation Impact Fellow, leading a national curriculum effort on food waste reduction for chefs and culinary educators. He was named a Food Waste Warrior by Foodtank. Before moving to Drexel, Deutsch built the culinary arts program at Kingsborough Community College, City University of New York (CUNY) and the Ph.D. concentration in food studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and School of Public Health. At Drexel, he directs the Drexel Food Lab, a culinary innovation and food product research and development lab focused on solving real world food system problems in the areas of sustainability, health promotion, and inclusive dining. He is the co-author or -editor of eight books including Barbecue: A Global History (with Megan Elias), Culinary Improvisation, and The Anti-Inflammatory Family Cookbook, and numerous articles in journals of food studies, public health and hospitality education. He earned his Ph.D. in Food Studies and Food Management from New York University (2004), his culinary degree from the Culinary Institute of America (AOS, Culinary Arts, 1997), and is an alumnus of Drexel University (BS, Hospitality Management, 1999). A classically trained chef, Deutsch worked in a variety of settings including product development, small luxury inns and restaurants. When not in the kitchen, he can be found behind his tuba. 

Claire Sand

Owner and Founder - Packaging Technology and Research

Claire Sand is a Global Packaging Leader with 35+ years of broad experience in the food science and packaging spectrum. Sand's mission is to enable a more sustainable food system with viable science and value chain innovations that prevent food waste and enable circularity. Dr. Sand is Owner and Founder of Packaging Technology and Research and an Adjunct Professor at Michigan State University and CalPoly as well as Food Technology’s monthly Packaging columnist and a monthly contributor to Packaging Digest. She is an IFT Fellow, Riester-Davis-Brody life-time achievement in food packaging award recipient, serves on Editorial Boards, as an Associate Editor, is the author of the Packaging Value Chain, and active in food and packaging leadership Boards.

Liran Akavia

Co-founder and COO - Seebo

Liran Akavia is the COO and co-founder of Seebo. He is a serial entrepreneur and sales leader who specializes in the fields of AI and manufacturing - particularly in reducing waste and quality losses in the food industry.

A seasoned revenue creator and B2B enterprise sales leader, Liran has developed a keen understanding of clients’ needs and market trends, as well as extensive experience building and managing effective sales teams and driving business growth.

Before founding Seebo, Liran co-founded and led Playfect, which manufactured millions of gaming accessories that were sold across more than 35 countries, before being acquired in 2013. Liran has lived and worked in Israel, Australia, China, and France.

Turner Wyatt

Co-founder and CEO - Upcycled Food Association

Turner Wyatt is a social entrepreneur focused on climate change via food waste prevention. He is the Co-founder and CEO of the Upcycled Food Association, which aims to prevent food waste by accelerating the upcycled food economy. Turner began his fight against food waste in the food rescue movement, where he served as the Co-founder and Executive Director of Denver Food Rescue. In 2015, he was appointed by the Mayor of Denver to serve on the Denver Sustainable Food Policy Council where he assisted the City and County of Denver in creating policies to make a more sustainable and just food system. Turner is co-founder and Board President of Fresh Food Connect a nonprofit technology company focused on creating a market for home grown food. Turner is the recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Colorado, as well as the Waste360 40 Under 40 Award, and the Top 20 Emerging Leaders in Food and Ag award. Turner is based at 9,000 feet above sea level in Crested Butte, Colorado, where he spends his days off skiing, running, and climbing.