Matthew Lange
Matthew Lange brings extensive expertise in food, biological, and health sciences, dedicating much of his career to advancing innovative information and educational technologies within the food and beverage, health, and agricultural sectors. As the CEO and Chief Science Officer of the International Center for Food Ontology Operability Data and Semantics (IC-FOODS), Dr. Lange spearheads global initiatives to develop the semantic and AI cyberinfrastructure essential for the emerging Internet of Food (IoF).
James Short
Jim Short is the Lead Scientist at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) at UC San Diego. As a research scientist, he specializes in the economics of large-scale data systems, the valuation of data and information markets, and the adoption, commercialization, and corporate governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In 2023, he established SPARK AI, an industry-focused AI Consortium at SDSC.
Thomas “Tommy” Hays
CEO and Founder, Agilitas
Agilitas: AI-powered food formulation platform that accelerates R&D for food and beverage companies by streamlining and enhancing the efficiency of formula development. Unlike traditional, manual formulation processes that are time-consuming and prone to error, Agilitas leverages AI to rapidly iterate formulas so that companies can quickly adapt food products to changing customer demands, regulations, and cost pressures, making it the indispensable tool for forward-thinking R&D teams.
Michelle Egger
Global Director of Partnership and Ecosystems Griffith Foods
Michelle joined Griffith Foods from BIOMILQ, where she was the founder and CEO of a start-up focused on revolutionizing early-life nutrition. Before her last role, Michelle worked at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and General Mills. She has a food science degree from Purdue University and an MBA from Duke University. She has been recognized as one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and CEO of the Year for North Carolina in 2022.
Swati Kalgaonkar
Director, Medical and Scientific Affairs, Brightseed
Dr. Swati Kalgaonkar has a PhD in Nutritional Science and a post-doctoral fellowship in Nutritional Endocrinology, both from the University of California, Davis. She has expertise in clinical research and has conducted, overseen, and effectively communicated clinical research on healthcare products and whole foods across various markets globally. Areas of research and communication in her portfolio to date include plant-based bioactives, alternative proteins, skin health, gut health, immune health, mental well-being & cognitive health, and healthy aging, emphasizing cardiometabolic health and quality of life. Working with new product development, sensory, and sustainable product solutions has been part of her repertoire over the past 15+ years.
Jackie Haven
Consultant, Former Deputy Administrator, USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
Jackie Haven, M.S. is the former Deputy Administrator of USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP), where she directed USDA’s programs to set national nutrition policy and designed and implemented innovative and effective science-based national nutrition promotion and outreach programs to improve the health of all Americans. Ms. Haven was responsible for developing and implementing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and supporting programs, including USDA’s Nutrition Evidence Library, the Healthy Eating Index, and the USDA Food Plans. She oversaw the design and implementation of USDA’s new MyPlate food icon, the ChooseMyPlate.gov website, USDA’s award-winning SuperTracker, and the associated multi-modal, multi-year Dietary Guidelines consumer communications campaign. Ms. Haven was with USDA for over 20 years. She holds an M.S. degree in clinical nutrition from New York University and a B.A. in psychology and marketing from the State University of New York at Albany. She is a Registered Dietitian.
Luda Kopeikina
Managing Partner, Noventra Ventures
Luda is a venture capital investor and board director focusing on creating breakthrough business value with AI. She is passionate about helping exceptional entrepreneurs change the world for the better. Luda has broad experience as a Corporate Executive at Fortune 500, Entrepreneur (CEO of 3 start-ups), and Board member of 12 high-tech private and public companies with five profitable exits.
Megan Bentley
Vice Chairman of the Board at the Victor Pineda Foundation
Megan recently consulted on the direct drafting and language of the UN Global Digital Compact that will be unveiled at the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024. She is also the Vice Chairman of the Board at the Victor Pineda Foundation/World Enabled, a globally renowned disability rights nonprofit. She works to further inclusive urban planning and restorative cities, helps teach undergraduate students at UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design, and contributed to and reviewed the Inclusive and Accessible Cities AI Playbook in partnership with the CTO of Amsterdam.
Previously, Megan served as the interim Senior Officer of Strategic Initiatives at FINCA International (leading microfinance org), consulted for The United Nations Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights’ B Tech team, and was the right arm to the CEO of TechSoup, the largest global network of nonprofits distributing $1.3B in tech to 1.2M NGOs daily in 236 countries and territories.
Megan graduated from Tufts University and Stanford’s Fall 2023 cohort of the Ethics, Tech, and Public Policy program. She is available for board-level work.