Join us for this special event that will offer a deep dive into the future of food, focusing on McCain Foods' groundbreaking work on regenerative agriculture. Discover how a major food company is actively partnering with farmers to build a more sustainable and resilient food system.

The evening will feature an insightful panel discussion with leading experts in food, agriculture, sustainability, and regenerative farming. Our panelists will share best practices and actionable insights on how these partnerships can be a powerful engine for industry-wide change.

Mingle and network with fellow professionals while enjoying a selection of delicious mocktails and heavy appetizers, all in the spirit of fostering a more innovative and connected Chicagoland food community. This is a unique opportunity to learn about cutting-edge sustainable practices and forge valuable connections. Space is limited, so be sure to register and secure your spot for this can’t-miss event.

AGENDA

5:00 PM   Doors Open

5:30 PM   Opening Remarks from McCain

5:35 PM   Panel Discussion

6:35 PM   Networking

8:00 PM   Event Ends

SPEAKERS

ELIZABETH COMBS

Director of Customer Solutions

Regenerative Agriculture

Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM)

Elizabeth Combs commercializes sustainability in the agricultural supply chain. She delivers best in class sustainable solutions, from data to farm inputs, that are quantifiable, verifiable, and create and maintain resilient farms, supply chains and ecosystems. Elizabeth earned her MBA from Penn State University and her Master of Science in Agriculture, Food and the Environment from Tufts University. She's led value add, technical commercialization in companies from pre-series A startups to the Fortune 40 for nearly two decades. 

CHAD FRAHM

Strategic Advisor | Global Food Systems | Sustainable Agriculture & Renewable Energy | Risk & Policy Navigation

Chad Frahm has more than 20 years of experience leading public affairs, sustainability strategy, and regulatory initiatives at the intersection of food, agriculture, energy, and the environment. Most recently, he led policy development and government affairs for Brightmark, a leading developer and operator of biogas systems on U.S. dairy farms. 

He is passionate about building practical, market-driven solutions that link agricultural productivity with environmental stewardship. His prior roles include advancing industry-wide sustainability initiatives at the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, advising global food and agribusiness clients at EY, and directing sustainable feedstock development for advanced biofuels at BP.

(Moderator)

Dr. KIMBERLEE K. KIDWELL, Professor

Associate Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Office of the Chancellor

As Associate Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Dr. Kim Kidwell assists the Chancellor with the strategic development of high-priority, high-impact, multi-stakeholder initiatives for the University. She provides leadership in pursuing resources and developing new and sustained partnerships with academic institutions, foundations, federal and state agencies, alumni, and the private sector. These collaborations are designed to better position the University to lead scientific discoveries and innovations that will inspire and empower tomorrow’s sustainable food, agriculture, nutrition, and health systems. 

Dr. Kidwell’s goals are to improve student learning; drive sound, innovative research; and cultivate external partnerships to improve the lives and livelihoods of people in Illinois and beyond.

TOM KOZIEL 

Vice President R&D

McCain Foods

Tom is the R&D VP for the North American Appetizer Division at McCain Foods, providing product solutions to Food Service, Quick Service Restaurants and Retail categories.  He has 25+ years of International Food Industry experience, always working to inspire and enable innovation from idea to market.  While working at Wrigley, Mars, KIND and McCain he worked across categories which include confectionary, snack bars, rice & grains and frozen appetizers & desserts.  Tom holds a MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and a BS of Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

JESS NEWMAN

Senior Director of Agriculture and Sustainability

McCain Foods

Jess Newman is the Senior Director of Agriculture & Sustainability at McCain Foods, the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen French fries and appetizers. Her team of agronomists and field representatives manage McCain’s relationships with 350+ American and Canadian farmers. They also implement McCain’s 2025 sustainability goals related to agriculture: 100% of farmers implementing regenerative practices, 25% reduction in scope 3 emissions from potato production and storage, a 15% improvement in irrigation water use efficiency in water-stressed regions, and the launch of three Farms of the Future.

Jess is passionate about sustainability in agricultural supply chains. Her philosophy is to meet farmers where they are and help them move along the sustainability spectrum – while creating profitability too! Working with farmers is what energizes her. She has worked at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Ecologic Institute, New York City Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, Booz & Company, CGIAR, and Anheuser-Busch. 

TODD PRICE

Advocate, Farmer and VP

Farm Foundation

Todd Price came to Farm Foundation after two decades of leadership in the agricultural education field. This included time at Living History Farms, The Museums at Prophetstown, and Wagner Farm as founding director. Prior to joining Farm Foundation, Todd was superintendent with the Glenview Park District. He was raised on his family’s Iowa grain and livestock farm. Today, he is part-owner of the farm, which was established in 1853. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Simpson College, and he is a graduate of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation program. Todd volunteers with the Glenview 4-H club and local FFA chapter and is on the board of directors for Cook County Farm Bureau. 

This event is in collaboration: