Fostering Diversity in Food System Leadership

How do we foster more diverse food system leadership?
Changemakers Day
August 29, 2008

An ambitious vision and plan are being set forth to transform California’s food system and leaders from many sectors are being drawn into this vision. Yet, there are questions as to whether this leadership is sufficiently representative of the diverse ethnic and multicultural populations of California and, therefore, equipped to lead a transformation in an increasingly diverse and changing multicultural food system.

In order to transform California’s food system, and embrace the opportunities and challenges presented by rapidly changing demographics, we must first grow the leadership within the food system to be more reflective of the population. This panel will feature leaders of color engaged in food system and leadership development work in an exploratory conversation about how to build more diverse leadership in the food and farming movement. Each panelist will discuss their perspective and strategies and then the panel will engage in a dialogue with the audience.

Moderator: Brahm Ahmadi, People’s Grocery
Panelists: Nikki Henderson, Green for All; Oran Hesterman, Fair Food Foundation; Ed Mendoza, Indigenous Permaculture de Atzlan; Carina Wong, Chez Panisse Foundation

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