Ilya leads all aspects of GFI's programmatic and administrative operations in the U.S., working alongside the U.S. leadership team to ensure GFI is executing towards maximal impact in transforming our food system while building an inclusive, equitable culture where every team member can thrive. Areas of expertise: strategic plan implementation, program leadership, infrastructure and operations
Carolyn Englar crafts compelling stories to advance alternative proteins and transform the global food system. Areas of expertise: global communications, media strategy, public relations, relationship management
Laine serves as Senior Corporate Engagement Manager, Innovation, helping to position GFI as a valuable resource for emerging and established alternative protein companies. Areas of expertise: entrepreneurship, fundraising, commercialization, strategic planning, team building, and market validation
Priera Panescu is focused on analyzing plant-based meat and proteins and how to best expedite their progress. Areas of Expertise: food and agriculture systems, materials science, polymer chemistry, plant-based ingredients
Bruce Friedrich serves as GFI’s chief thought leader and relationship-builder, working in close partnership with GFI’s global teams and food system stakeholders around the world. Areas of expertise: alternative proteins generally, GFI’s global programs and strategy, bicycling in heavy traffic.
Elliot Swartz analyzes scientific progress and bottlenecks in cultivated meat. Areas of expertise: cultivated meat: cell culture media, costs, and environmental impact
Emma Ignaszewski oversees the corporate engagement team’s industry intelligence and initiatives to catalyze corporate innovation that will radically transform the food system and deliver alternative protein products that compete on the key drivers of consumer choice: taste, price, and convenience. Areas of expertise: alternative protein market landscape, research & analysis, strategy, marketing & communications, alt protein sustainability & climate impacts.
Amy Huang oversees GFI’s efforts to transform universities into engines for alternative protein research and education. Areas of expertise: university programs, academic ecosystem-building, global health, design thinking, effective altruism, public speaking.
Laura Braden works on domestic and global regulatory issues affecting cultivated meat and plant-based foods. Areas of expertise: U.S. and global regulation, patents, litigation.
Claire Bomkamp is focused on cultivated seafood and driving forward GFI's Sustainable Seafood Initiative. Areas of expertise: the science and technology of cultivated seafood, cultivated seafood startups, research, and university programs, scaffolding, science communication, fish puns.
