Mentoring

Rebecca is the Executive Team Assistant at The Good Food Institute, an international non-profit working to create a sustainable, healthy, and just food system by advancing alternative proteins. She supports the Executive Director and Chief of Staff on the United States team and helps to coordinate the work of our associate teams in Brazil, Europe, India, Asia Pacific, and Israel. Prior to joining GFI, Rebecca was a Global Health Corps fellow, working as the nutrition program coordinator at a set of three clinics in the Bronx. Previously, she spent time working in communities and researching health systems in Nicaragua, Nepal, and Malawi. She has a BA, MPH, and MS in Food Policy and Applied Nutrition from Tufts University, as well as a Certificate in Climate Change and Health from the Yale School of Public Health.

Melanie Adams is an Associate at Eagle Hill Consulting where she has led change management, organizational design, and competency modeling work for nonprofit and private sector clients. Prior to Eagle Hill, she was a Project Manager at AARP Foundation where she led projects that enabled aging in place and empowered healthy food consumption for low-income older adults. Melanie is a graduate of Tufts University, where she completed her Master of Public Health in Health Services Management and Policy and a Master of Science in Nutrition Communication, Interventions, and Behavior Change. During her graduate program, she worked for Boston Senior Home Care (BSHC), where she improved operational efficiency, laying the groundwork for future program evaluation. In addition to her work with older adults, she has five years of experience in adolescent health promotion. Melanie holds a BA in Food Systems from the University of Michigan and enjoys cooking, working out, and traveling in her spare time.

Dr. Rachel Cheatham is Founder & CEO of Foodscape Group, LLC, a nutrition strategy consultancy based in Chicago, IL, USA. Serving as a navigation partner, Rachel helps companies and brands successfully conceptualize & position healthier foods and beverages in the global marketplace. Rachel holds a doctorate in nutritional biochemistry from Tufts University, where she is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Food Marketing. She has been a TV producer, Director at the International Food Information Council, and Senior Vice President at the global PR firm Weber Shandwick. She is a Professional Member of the Institute of Food Technologists and a member of both the American Society of Nutrition and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is active on LinkedIn as well as blogging at Foodscape Finds.

Carolyn currently works in Environmental Policy at PepsiCo. In this role she covers packaging, water, and agricultural policy issues. She analyzes and tracks global trends, supports the development and execution of PepsiCo’s global packaging strategy and engages with key external stakeholders. Carolyn joined PepsiCo after completing her master’s in Food Policy & Applied Nutrition and Public Health, following a career in the non-profit sector doing nutrition education. She has 10+ years of experience promoting healthier lifestyles for the planet and its residents, weaving together policy, science, and public health. Carolyn currently lives in Queens, NY where she tends a NYC fire escape garden and lives with her partner and cat who is sure to appear on any Zoom call!

Kathleen Nay is Communications & Content Marketing Specialist for Perfect Day, an alternative protein company harnessing fermentation to make animal-free dairy protein and products that have the real taste, texture, and nutrition of dairy, produced sustainably and without the downsides of factory farming, lactose, hormones or antibiotics. In her role at Perfect Day, Kathleen develops messaging and integrated marketing campaigns, and writes, art directs, and activates content designed to educate the public about Perfect Day’s mission, culture, and innovative products.

As a dual degree AFE/UEP student at the Friedman School and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Kathleen focused her research on food systems, land use planning, and equitable food production and access. Her UEP thesis explored competitive and complementary land uses between agriculture and sustainable solar energy arrays in Massachusetts. Along with her UEP coauthors, she received the American Planning Association (MA Chapter)’s 2017 Outstanding Planning Award for Best Student Project for their Field Project titled “On The Hook: Supporting a Healthy Fishing Future in Massachusetts.” She served as co-editor to The Friedman Sproutfor two years, and in 2018 received the Honos Civicus award from the Tisch College of Civic Life for her commitment to community service and civic engagement.

Prior to completing her graduate work at Tufts University, Kathleen earned bachelor’s degrees in Fine Art Photography and Behavioral Sciences from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She’s worked variously as a nonprofit administrator, digital media specialist and weekend radio talent. In her personal time, she likes to read, photograph farmer’s market produce, and watch Star Trek reruns. She lives in Oakland, California with her partner, Jordan, and their very opinionated senior cat, Emma.