Elizabeth is a director at FoodMinds based in our Washington, D.C. office. She supports clients in translating legislative and regulatory food policy into compelling and meaningful initiatives. She is responsible for managing and implementing impactful nutrition education programs. Elizabeth is a summa cum laude graduate of Ithaca College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing communications and served on the Ithaca College Board of Trustees from 2010-2012.
How would you describe your role in one sentence?
I support clients in meaningfully contributing to healthier, more sustainable food systems.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love working at the intersection of nutrition, public health and sustainability. It means I’m surrounded by clients and colleagues who are passionate about helping solve some of society’s most pressing challenges. And because food provides a lens to examine so many other critical issues, I’m also afforded the opportunity to learn something new every single day.
What career would you choose if you had an opportunity to switch jobs for one day?
I’ve always had dreams of opening my own book store cafe – serving coffee by day, wine by night. I’d have rows of shelves dedicated to food history, cookbooks, and favorites from my book club. I can already picture the menu, and a space filled with colorful paintings, warm lighting and cozy reading nooks!
How do you find balance?
Even though my entire workday revolves around food, cooking keeps me centered. There is nothing I love more than a weekend set aside for an ambitious cooking project, especially since I’m making my way through the newly released 1,200-page Joy of Cooking! This past weekend, that project resulted in a Lebanese-inspired feast of hummus, kibbeh and tabbouleh. Other weekends, it means loaves of fresh bread warm out of the oven or a mile-high layer cake.
How do you stay organized at work?
I recently upgraded my organization routine and it was the best decision I’ve made! I used to treat my handwritten checkbox list as my bible; creating it was how I started every morning. But I heeded advice of a good friend and switched to ToDoist.com. It’s a free site that still leaves you with the same satisfaction as checking – or, clicking – things off your list. I can add, organize and color-code tasks in a way that allows me to far more easily keep pace with an ever-evolving list of “to-do’s!”