IFT’s Convening Communities Series presents: How Ingredion is Activating DEI in Communities. As a global leader in ingredient solutions, Ingredion brings innovation to the marketplace and works to understand the connection between food and community. Ingredion feels it has a responsibility to give back and serve the communities where we operate by making investments aligned with our purpose and values. In this webinar you will learn about how Ingredion works with passionate entrepreneurs from underserved and under-represented communities by providing education and support as they build their formulas, brands, and products for the marketplace. The format of this event will be a case study from Ingredion followed by a virtual small group discussion and an attendee to presenter Q&A segment. Register today and bring back tips to help your organization activate DEI in your communities!
Speaker Information:
Sam Renovato
Director Global DEI at Ingredion
Sam Renovato (she/her) is responsible for leading the growth of Ingredion’s global DEI strategy in partnership with the Culture and Communications team. She supports the development, management, and implementation of Ingredion’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy to help Ingredion grow and evolve in our DEI journey. Sam also provides subject matter expertise and thought leadership through consulting and the use of data analytics and evidence-based best practices to cultivate results.
Sam has a wealth of experience from various areas of DEI and HR. Most recently from Ferrara, a cookies and candy company, where she led several DEI initiatives, including transforming its Business Resource Groups, and launching the company’s first formal mentoring program. Prior to Ferrara, Sam served at Nielsen, where she worked in her most recent role in Talent Acquisition, overseeing the company’s operations, metrics, and key diversity partnerships. Prior to this, she led university relations and D&I analytics for Nielsen.
Sam holds a bachelor’s degree in human resources and psychology from Lewis University. She also served on the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE's) Chicago Board. She is a HACE Leadership Academy graduate and earned her Professional in Human Resources certificate. Sam was featured in Hispanic Executive as a Next GenLideres Chicago Talent to Watch. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Sam grew up in Aurora, Illinois.
Natalie Shmulik
Chief Strategy & Incubation Officer at ICNC
Natalie is ICNC’s Chief Strategy & Incubation Officer, overseeing The Hatchery and Make City incubators. Along with an M.L.A. in Gastronomy, she has a wide range of experience working with supermarkets, culinary publications, consumer packaged goods companies, and food service establishments. After successfully operating her own restaurant, Natalie was hired as a specialty consultant for one of Ontario’s largest supermarket chains where she enhanced consumer experiences through educational initiatives....
IFT’s Convening Communities Series presents: How Ingredion is Activating DEI in Communities. As a global leader in ingredient solutions, Ingredion brings innovation to the marketplace and works to understand the connection between food and community. Ingredion feels it has a responsibility to give back and serve the communities where we operate by making investments aligned with our purpose and values. In this webinar you will learn about how Ingredion works with passionate entrepreneurs from underserved and under-represented communities by providing education and support as they build their formulas, brands, and products for the marketplace. The format of this event will be a case study from Ingredion followed by a virtual small group discussion and an attendee to presenter Q&A segment. Register today and bring back tips to help your organization activate DEI in your communities!
Speaker Information:
Sam Renovato
Director Global DEI at Ingredion
Sam Renovato (she/her) is responsible for leading the growth of Ingredion’s global DEI strategy in partnership with the Culture and Communications team. She supports the development, management, and implementation of Ingredion’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy to help Ingredion grow and evolve in our DEI journey. Sam also provides subject matter expertise and thought leadership through consulting and the use of data analytics and evidence-based best practices to cultivate results.
Sam has a wealth of experience from various areas of DEI and HR. Most recently from Ferrara, a cookies and candy company, where she led several DEI initiatives, including transforming its Business Resource Groups, and launching the company’s first formal mentoring program. Prior to Ferrara, Sam served at Nielsen, where she worked in her most recent role in Talent Acquisition, overseeing the company’s operations, metrics, and key diversity partnerships. Prior to this, she led university relations and D&I analytics for Nielsen.
Sam holds a bachelor’s degree in human resources and psychology from Lewis University. She also served on the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE's) Chicago Board. She is a HACE Leadership Academy graduate and earned her Professional in Human Resources certificate. Sam was featured in Hispanic Executive as a Next GenLideres Chicago Talent to Watch. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Sam grew up in Aurora, Illinois.
Natalie Shmulik
Chief Strategy & Incubation Officer at ICNC
Natalie is ICNC’s Chief Strategy & Incubation Officer, overseeing The Hatchery and Make City incubators. Along with an M.L.A. in Gastronomy, she has a wide range of experience working with supermarkets, culinary publications, consumer packaged goods companies, and food service establishments. After successfully operating her own restaurant, Natalie was hired as a specialty consultant for one of Ontario’s largest supermarket chains where she enhanced consumer experiences through educational initiatives. Discovering her passion for innovation, Natalie was brought on as a brand strategist for the first cold brew tea company and later moved to Chicago to run The Hatchery. With over ten years of food incubation experience, Natalie has gained a unique perspective on the industry and what it takes to launch and grow a successful business. She is a regular contributor to Food Business News and an adjunct professor at Boston University. She was featured in the Chicago Tribune's 10 Business People to Watch and received the Specialty Food Association's award for leadership in vision. She continues to play a valuable role in branding and marketing for food businesses around the country, with her specialty in trend forecasting.
Nina Steele
Senior Manager, Membership Engagement and Inclusion at IFT
Nina supports IFT’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts, helping foster an inclusive and equitable culture where all members can thrive.
Kate Dockins
SVP, Membership Experiences at IFT
Kate helps members unlock opportunities to fully engage with IFT resources, career expansion and building their network to grow their careers.
