Renée Hazlet is a seasoned food safety professional, veteran, and creative entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience across food science, public health regulation, and government operations. A proud transgender woman and tireless advocate for inclusivity, Renée combines technical expertise with a deeply rooted passion for equity, innovation, and creative expression.
Renée began her professional journey in the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS), where she spent over 14 years as a Consumer Safety Inspector, operating across diverse regulatory environments including offline and online slaughter inspection, poultry and meat processing, egg inspection, and international trade compliance. Her assignments took her to facilities in New York, New Jersey, Alabama, Texas, and Colorado, allowing her to bring a well-rounded perspective to food processing safety and public health policy. Her skills span HACCP compliance, GMP, microbiology, and food manufacturing oversight, and she is known for her ability to apply critical thinking, mechanical acumen, and multi-level assessments to complex regulatory challenges.
Complementing her scientific and regulatory work is her role as founder of RenaissanceTinkerDork L.L.C., where Renée channels her creativity into stained glass artistry, 3D-printed designs, and interactive community engagement through Twitch streaming. This venture reflects her natural curiosity, problem-solving instincts, and belief in using art as a vehicle for connection, education, and inclusion.
Renée earned her Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Industry from Kansas State University, where she was a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Prior to completing her degree, she undertook foundational studies at Kaplan University, focusing on nutrition and food science.
A U.S. Army veteran, Renée served internationally in Guiana (2003) and Iraq (2006–2007), as well as Southern Germany, gaining valuable global perspective and a strong sense of discipline and service. While she does not currently speak another language fluently, she is actively learning Spanish.
Renée is actively seeking board and advisory roles where she can make a meaningful impact, particularly in the food processing, quality assurance, or public health spaces. She is also open to broader industry applications where her expertise in regulatory operations, collaboration, and creative innovation can drive value. She previously served on the USDA Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Community Committee and is closely connected with grassroots advocacy networks through collaborators such as KweenWerks (TikTok) and Taisha Adams of the Boulder County Commissioners Board.
Renée’s mission — “Be Kind, Be Curious, Be Inclusive” — is more than a personal motto. It’s a guiding principle in every space she occupies, from food safety labs and regulatory oversight offices to creative studios and community forums. Her goal in seeking board service is not only to contribute her substantial expertise but also to serve as a visible and impactful representative of the transgender and LGBTQ+ community — working to make systems better, more informed, and more inclusive for everyone.
Character: Renée is a values-driven leader who lives by the motto “Be Kind, Be Curious, Be Inclusive,” consistently advocating for equity, inclusion, and authenticity in every space she occupies.
Knowledge: With over 25 years of experience in food safety and regulatory compliance, Renée possesses deep technical expertise in HACCP, GMP, and public health operations.
Strategic: Renée brings a critical and creative thinking approach to problem-solving, combining multi-level assessments with practical implementation to improve systems and processes.
Communication: As a Twitch streamer, internal speaker, and community advocate, Renée communicates with clarity, empathy, and purpose—engaging diverse audiences across both professional and creative platforms.
