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Past Events
COP 101: Agriculture in the Global Climate Negotiations
October 24, 2024
For our sixth Speaker Series event, PBPC brought together plant-based product champions to discuss what happens at the annual COP global climate negotiations and what to watch on this year’s agenda. The event featured opening remarks from Olutayo Akingbe, a climate advisor in the office of the administrator at USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, followed by a value chain discussion with Braskem’s Jorge Soto, Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser, and PBPC's Jamaica Gayle. Watch the recording below or read highlights of the discussion in our blog here.
Jamaica Gayle
Sr. Director of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, PBPC
Olutayo Akingbe
Climate Advisor, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
Jorge Soto
Sustainable Development Director, Braskem
Ray Gaesser
Iowa farmer and co-chair of the Iowa Conservation Infrastructure Initiative
The Farm Bill & The Bioeconomy
July 9, 2024
For our fifth Speaker Series event, PBPC brought together legislative leaders to explore how ag policy is driving economic change. Bioeconomy champions and House Agriculture Committee members Mark Alford (R-MO) and Angie Craig (D-MN) discussed the work they are doing to open up new markets for farmers and rural America and how the Farm Bill can drive sustainable change in our agricultural economy. Watch the recording below or read highlights of the discussion in our blog here.
Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO)
House Agriculture Committee Member
Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN)
House Agriculture Committee Member
Pathways to Economic Opportunities and Innovation:
Why the Ag Bioeconomy Matters for Rural Development
November 15, 2023
For our fourth Speaker Series event, PBPC was joined by innovative leaders in the plant-based products industry to discuss the ag bioeconomy and rural development. Speakers discussed aspects of education, policy, and advocacy on why the ag bioeconomy matters for rural development and how it is opening new markets for farmers. From renewable materials to biomass, viewers came away with perspective and information on the role rural America plays in supporting and advancing the ag bioeconomy and creating new opportunities that benefit rural communities. Watch the recording below or read highlights of the discussion in our blog here.
James Glueck
Executive Director, Plant Based Products Council
Alex Buck
Director of Industrial Innovation, Iowa Corn Promotion Board
Herrick (Rick) Fox
Bioeconomy Coordinator, Office of the Chief Economist, USDA
Barry McGraw
Founder/CLO at Airable Research Lab, an Ohio Soybean Council business line
The Next Generation of the Bioeconomy
June 21, 2023
Our third Speaker Series event was a live panel discussion with three trailblazers who are leading the next generation of the bioeconomy. We discovered how these business leaders are re-energizing the field, solving problems, and increasing the adoption of plant-based products through new perspectives, innovative ideas, business development, and more. Read highlights of the discussion in our blog here.
Jessica Bowman
Past Executive Director, Plant Based Products Council
Sea Briganti
Founder & CEO, LOLIWARE, Inc.
Misha Medvedev
Co-Founder, Earth Brands
Nuha Siddiqui
Co-Founder & CEO, erthos
Brand Innovation: Optimizing Sustainability
December 16, 2022
For our second Speaker Series event, PBPC’s Jessica Bowman sat down with industry leaders to discuss the ways that brands can use plant-based products to reach their climate and sustainability goals. Read a breakdown of the discussion’s highlights in our blog here.
Jessica Bowman
Past Executive Director, Plant Based Products Council
Katya Hantel
Senior Director of Sustainability, Conagra Brands, Inc.
Rachael Lawrence
Senior Director Sustainability, PepsiCo Foods North America
Eric Klingenberg
Materials Science Lead, Mars, Inc.
Commercialization of Bioproducts: Bringing Innovations From Idea to Market
October 20, 2022
For the inaugural PBPC Speaker Series Event, PBPC convened innovators and leaders in the bioeconomy to share insights, challenges, and solutions facing the industry today. Read a breakdown of the discussion’s highlights in our blog here.
Jessica Bowman
Past Executive Director, Plant Based Products Council
Beth Conerty
Assistant Director for Business Development, Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory
Doug Friedman
Chief Executive Officer, BioMADE
J. Eric Lee
Director of Business Development, Fermentation & Bioindustry, Primient