What is FoodCon?

FoodCon is the premier event for MBA students passionate about food, agribusiness, and sustainability. Co-hosted by Duke Fuqua and UNC Kenan-Flagler, it connects industry leaders and innovators to explore trends, share insights, and drive solutions. Past speakers include leaders from John Deere, the Chobani Incubator, and Tony’s Chocolonely.

Our Mission

The food system drives economic growth, sustainability, and social equity. With food demand set to rise 50% by 2050, innovation is crucial. FoodCon empowers future leaders to tackle challenges like food insecurity and climate change while creating economic value.

Tickets Are Now Live: Here

Agenda:

Geneen Auditorium, Fuqua School of Business

10:00 – 10:30  Check-in & Coffee

10:45 – 11:15  Keynote: Lauren Contreras, Director of Sustainability, Sysco Foods

11:20 – 12:00 Panel 1: AgTech and the Farm of the Future (Mod. by Steven Prager, Gates Foundation)

• • • Neil Bentley, VP Agriculture Solutions, BASF (M.B.A. ‘08)​
    • Mary Hahn, Strategy & Finance Lead, Pairwise (M.B.A, ‘16)​
    • Hongjun Wang, Head of Carbon & Innovation, Locus Agriculture​
    • Archie Griffin, Owner, Griffin Farms

12:10 – 12:50  Panel 2: Field-to-Fork Supply Chain Innovation (Mod. by Sue Ellsworth, Piedmont FPC)

• • • Todd Dolinsky, Chief Product Officer, Trustwell (B.S.E.E. ‘02)​
    • Michael Druga, CEO, SinnovaTek​
    • Patrick Mateer, CEO, Seal The Seasons

12:50 – 2:00 Lunch Break at Fuqua Kirby Winter Garden

2:10 – 2:50  Panel 3: Shaping Consumer Food Choices

• • • Megan Overbay, COO, Big Spoon Roasters (M.B.A. ‘03)​
    • Nathan Algrhim, Sr. Manager, The Good Food Institute ​
    • Megan Thomas, CEO, Ladder 17

3:00 – 3:40  Panel 4: Investing in Food & Ag (Mod. by Liz Scarinci, Assoc. Partner, McKinsey & Co)

• • • Mark Forbes, Executive Director-Food & Agribusiness, JP Morgan​
    • Charlie McNairy, CEO & Managing Director, International Farming​
    • Hannah Webb, Venture Partner, Levert Ventures​
    • Anthony Abbenante, Managing Director, RRG Capital Management

3:45- 5:00 Reception & Happy Hour at JB Duke