Event description

The Midwest Climate Summit is a three-day gathering of climate leaders, researchers, and professionals focused on expanding knowledge, accelerating climate action, and catalyzing new partnerships for an equitable Midwestern response to the climate crisis. With exciting options to join in person and virtually, this is a summit you won’t want to miss!

GFI will be leading an in-person workshop, “Diversifying protein production in the Midwest: Mapping how the Midwest U.S. can sustainably feed more people and usher in the next chapter of food and agriculture.” Via a participatory Midwest mapping exercise, this workshop will focus on the people and places throughout America’s Heartland that can help lead and benefit from alternative protein innovation and opportunities. What does workshop success look like? Greater understanding of and enthusiasm for protein produced in ways that slash food/ag emissions, enable healthier lands and waters, and create thriving regional bioeconomies.

Moderated by GFI’s Sheila Voss, the conversation will bring together stakeholders from across the food system:

  • Sheila Voss, Senior Vice President, Communications, The Good Food Institute
  • Ryan Blum, Founder, Alt Protein Project at University of Wisconsin–Madison
  • Dr. Victor Ujor, Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science, University of Wisconsin–Madison
  • Nicole Atchison, CEO, PURIS Holdings

Together, we’ll ask: What does it look like for the Midwest to lead in sustainable protein production? How can communities across the region benefit from these shifts? What systems, policies, and partnerships are needed to catalyze lasting change?

Event location

800 Langdon St
Madison, Wisconsin 53706 United States
+ Google Map

Meet the speaker

Sheila voss

Sheila Voss

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS, GFI

Sheila Voss is the senior vice president of communications at The Good Food Institute, where she leads GFI’s global brand and engagement strategy. With more than two decades of leadership in mission-driven communication, Sheila helps connect the dots between alternative protein innovation and its benefits for climate, health, food security, and the economy. Prior to GFI, she held senior communications roles at the American Lung Association, World Wildlife Fund, and the American Heart Association. At the intersection of science, storytelling, and systems change, Sheila brings deep expertise in movement-building and strategic advocacy to drive meaningful food system transformation.

Upcoming events

View all events
An illustration of the globe with two hands reaching towards one another.  third party event featured image.
Indiana Convention Center

National FFA Convention & Expo

Event description The National FFA Convention & Expo is all about growing the next generation of leaders—and so is GFI. That’s why Jeremy Eltz, Ph.D., GFI’s Education and Workforce Development…

Https://gfi. Org/wp content/uploads/2025/10/sci25054 pulse canada x gfi webinar graphics header featured
Virtual Event

Sustainability from farm to fork: pulse grower practices

Join GFI and Pulse Canada for The Pulse Chain, a three-part webinar series spotlighting Canadian and U.S. pulse growers at the heart of sustainable protein innovation. Hear firsthand how pulses…

Cell growth modeling review for cultivated meat production
Virtual Event

Cell growth modeling review for cultivated meat production: Recommendations to improve techno-economic models

Join report authors to learn what current data reveal, where critical gaps remain, and the research priorities shaping more accurate and scalable techno-economic models for cultivated meat production.

An illustration of the globe with two hands reaching towards one another.  third party event featured image.
California State University, Stanislaus

California Circular Bioeconomy Summit (BioCirCA)

Join GFI’s Jeremy Eltz at BioCirCA for forward-looking conversations on transforming waste into opportunity—and unlocking the power of bio-based innovation.

Plate of chicken with pasta and mushrooms on ripple background

COP30: United Nations Climate Change Conference

COP30 Belém brings the world together at a critical moment for global transformative climate action. Join GFI and other alternative protein experts at this historic event!

Https://gfi. Org/wp content/uploads/2025/10/sci25054 pulse canada x gfi webinar graphics header featured
Virtual Event

Supporting growers and rural communities: resilience through protein diversification

Event description This fall, GFI and Pulse Canada are partnering to launch The Pulse Chain: From Growers to Global Protein Markets, an interactive webinar series that brings growers and food…

Https://gfi. Org/wp content/uploads/2025/10/sci25058 soap webinar graphics november header featured
Virtual Event

The Science of Alt Protein: Application-driven design of plant protein gels

Discover how application-driven design of plant protein gels can unlock new possibilities in texture, mouthfeel, and nutrition.

An illustration of the globe with two hands reaching towards one another.  third party event featured image.
Virtual Event

New Proteins webinar

Join GFI’s Abby Sewell for a look at how hybrid and diversified protein strategies are shaping the future of food.