Food & Society at the Aspen Institute opens applications for its second cohort of fellows; Application deadline is December 2
CONTACT:
Emily Rubenstein
Emily.Rubenstein@aspeninstitute.org
November 1, 2022 – Today, Food & Society at the Aspen Institute opened applications for its second Food Leaders Fellowship cohort. Drawing on the Aspen Institute’s history of successful leadership and policy fellowships, the Food Leaders Fellowship is the foremost community of emerging leaders dedicated to creating a resilient, fair, sustainable, and healthy food system. Prospective candidates can learn more about the fellowship and apply at: https://bit.ly/FLFApply. Watch a video of the inaugural food leaders fellows in action on the Aspen Campus: https://bit.ly/FoodLeadersFellows22.
The 18-month fellowship journey begins at the Institute’s Aspen, Colorado, campus, where fellows critically examine their beliefs and personal missions through honest conversations led by Institute-trained moderators. Cohorts are chosen to include leaders with varying identities, backgrounds, and perspectives to expose fellows to new ideas and people they may not previously have had the opportunity to collaborate with, but who all care deeply about working together to better our food system. The experience leads to the intense bonding that is the hallmark of a successful Aspen fellowship shared by some members of the inaugural cohort through enthusiastic reports and thank yous on LinkedIn and Instagram.
“I was really intrigued by the idea of stepping back from my day to day and thinking more deeply about my leadership over the next decade or so of my career,” says Renske Lynde, General Partner, 1st Course Capital and member of the inaugural Food Leaders Fellowship class. “The idea that there is a place like Aspen Institute where the whole purpose is to bring people together, to talk about challenging, big problems, and issues in partnership with other leaders in the food system is pretty incredible.”
Through subsequent in-person and virtual gatherings that include site visits, guest-led discussions, and peer and mentor support, fellows identify and hone their ability to make significant change—and design and implement an action plan that builds on the pathbreaking work they are already doing.
“The first meeting of the Food Leaders Fellows in Aspen was beyond our wildest dreams,” says Corby Kummer, executive director of Food & Society at the Aspen Institute. “The group we were so lucky and honored to bring together showed up with a fantastic can-do and let’s-do energy we hoped but didn’t know they’d have so quickly. They can’t wait to keep working together for the long term—and can’t wait for a new cohort to roll up their sleeves with.”
Fellowship applications are open now through December 2, 2022. The first of three seminars will take place in mid-August in Aspen, Colorado. All seminar, travel, and accommodation expenses are covered by the fellowship. Candidates must be based in the United States, Canada, or Mexico for consideration.
The Food Leaders Fellowship is made possible through generous founding support from Seth Goldman and Julie Farkas, Food at Google, the JIB Fund, Andy and Zelie Pforzheimer, Melony and Adam J. Lewis, and Gary and Meg Hirshberg. Prospective fellows can find more information and apply at: https://bit.ly/FLFApply.
###
ABOUT THE ASPEN INSTITUTE FOOD & SOCIETY PROGRAM
Food & Society at the Aspen Institute brings together leaders and decision-makers in the food and beverage industry and the public health community—scientists, nutritionists, environmentalists, entrepreneurs, chefs, restaurateurs, farmers, and food makers of all kinds—to find solutions to production, health, and communications challenges in the food system. The program’s goal is for people of all income levels to eat better and more healthful diets—and to enjoy them bite by bite. For more information, please visit https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/food-and-society-program/ or follow us on Twitter @AspenFood, LinkedIn @AspenFood, Instagram @aspenfoodsociety, and Facebook @AspenFood.