November 16, 2020
Cohort Spotlight: Lauren Knight
On How IFSL Allowed Her to Blend Her Passion for Food with Career Growth
Lauren Knight was hesitant to pursue a higher education program because she was having difficulties finding one that clearly showed how she’d be able to transfer her learnings into action as a communications manager at fairlife.
Then Lauren discovered the IFSL program – the graduate-certificate program created to build the next generation of food system leaders. She immediately knew the investment to pursue the certificate would be worth it. The IFSL program excited Lauren because she’d be able to delve into one of her passions – food and the food system – and apply the knowledge and skills she’d gain as a leader within the food system.
We sat down with Lauren to learn about how a challenge she faced at work propelled her to pursue IFSL and how the IFSL program has provided clarity for her next career move.
How did you discover the IFSL program, and why did you decide to enroll?
I came across the IFSL program on social media at the same time that I was completing a really challenging project at work. I learned a lot because of that difficult project. It helped me to understand that, as a food system leader, I have a responsibility and a role to play in paving a better path forward.
I decided to enroll in IFSL because I wanted to have a greater understanding of our global food system. It was the next step I wanted to take so that I could learn how to make a difference and have an impact on the food system.
Thankfully, my employer is very supportive. They helped with tuition and encouraged me to grow in my career.
How have your learnings impacted your role within our organization?
Because of IFSL, I now have a better understanding and appreciation of the players and complexities involved with how fairlife products move to store shelves.
The program has also given me a greater understanding and appreciation for the many roles within our global food system and expanded my thinking to account for differing points of view on the issues I'm challenged with as a communications leader.
Through the curriculum, I learned about the various parts of the supply chain that I wasn’t familiar with and how each one can impact another. We studied how siloed-thinking – only viewing an issue from one area within the supply chain or food system – can negatively affect others in the system. When considering making a change or launching a new product, I now have the understanding to look up and down the supply chain to see how things could impact various areas within the company.
Also, I was able to use my capstone assignment to move a project forward that I’ve been leading at fairlife –evaluating potential B-Corp certification. The learnings I gained throughout IFSL helped me understand and create structure for how we could continue pursuing some of our ambitious sustainability goals.
As you complete the program, do you have new goals you hope to accomplish as a food system leader?
My goal when I started this program was to move forward as a more knowledgeable and skilled food system leader to pave a better path forward. This goal still remains. I now have greater clarity of how I can accomplish this.
The IFSL program has allowed me to examine new roles I’d like to explore. Down the road, I would like to move from marketing to a role focused on sustainability and social efforts. I think there’s a great opportunity to normalize sustainability across parts of the food chain.
What would you say to another food system professional who’s considering the program?
I think busy working professionals should know that there’s flexibility and an understanding from the faculty that the members of the cohort have full schedules.
Also, if food is of interest to you and you want to learn about a large, global system, this program will teach you about all the interlocking pieces of the food system, and it will help you consider different points of view.
Integrated Food Systems Leadership (IFSL) Program
Designed for working professionals, the IFSL program is a unique graduate certificate program that fosters leadership, collaboration, and innovation across the food system. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Download a program brochure or schedule a consultation call for more information.