September 10, 2021
Food System Spotlight: Becoming a “Disease Detective”
A conversation with Carrie Rigdon, Operations & Planning Section Manager, Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
We are pleased to announce that Carrie Rigdon has joined us as an Integrated Food Systems Leadership (IFSL) advisor. With experience in food safety, environmental assessment of food facilities, food supply chain traceability, data analysis, and project management, Carrie brings a wealth of knowledge to the program. In her current role, she oversees support of the inspection division for food and feed safety through administrative oversight, outreach, response, data system development, communications, and quality management. Carrie shares why she loves being a “disease detective” and how developing skills in facilitation can lead to more effective communication and stronger collaboration.
Did you always know you were interested in pursuing a career in food safety?
I always knew I wanted to be a scientist, but I wasn’t sure what kind. Once I took my first microbiology class as an undergraduate at Iowa State, I was hooked. I became interested in learning about diseases and how people got sick. My senior year, I attended the annual American Society for Microbiology conference and listened to a session led by a graduate student who presented work she had done in Peru to identify the source of a disease outbreak. She introduced me to the field of epidemiology, and when she talked about her role as a “disease detective,” I knew that’s what I wanted to do.
What do you love most about your work?
The connections I get to make with colleagues and the community are what drive me. I’m a lifelong learner – something new happens every day and I can’t wait to collaborate with those around me to hear new perspectives and different ideas for solving challenges.
I have definitely found a home in public service. I love that government is mission-driven and you are working for the people; that is something I am very passionate about.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing food industry leaders?
From my perspective, the greatest challenge is competing or diminishing resources – things like land, water, and other natural resources. How are the changes in those resources going to impact the availability of food and the nutritious content of that food?
We also have to consider new challenges in terms of food safety. Will we have to increasingly worry about water contamination if that resource becomes scarcer? Technology plays a role as well because it is constantly evolving. We have to consider whether new technologies are alleviating our challenges or creating even more challenges for competing resources.
What skills are most important in addressing those challenges?
It really does come down to making connections with people and having conversations. One skill that has served me well is facilitation. Being able to facilitate conversations among team members and across different cultural communities is so important to gaining a better understanding of consumers, increasing collaboration, and removing barriers.
What do you see as the greatest benefits of the IFSL program?
I am really excited about what has been built through the IFSL program. The structure of the program helps participants recognize the importance of expanding their connections and provides them with a safety net that encourages them to step outside of their comfort zone.
Integrated Food Systems Leadership (IFSL) Program
Designed for professionals interested in accelerating their careers, the IFSL program is a unique, online, graduate certificate program that fosters leadership, collaboration, and innovation across the food system.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Schedule a consultation call for more information.