I’m excited to share a deeper look into my professional journey across food safety, regulatory science, analytical chemistry, and industry leadership. From leading research collaborations with the FDA to guiding scientific strategy at Starbucks and now serving as Executive Director of IFSH at Illinois Tech, my career has been driven by a passion for advancing public health through science and integrity. Here is my biography.

I’m excited to share a look into my professional journey—a career defined by leadership in food safety, quality assurance, and operational excellence. From my beginnings at PepsiCo’s Quaker Oats division to my current role as Senior Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance at Stampede Culinary Partners, I’ve been privileged to lead incredible teams and help organizations achieve higher standards of safety, quality, and performance. Here is my biography.

I’m grateful for the mentors, colleagues, and teams who have shaped my career across science, operations, and public service—from forestry and biosecurity to food safety and inclusive leadership. I’ve put together a short narrative of my journey, values, and areas where I hope to contribute in governance and advisory roles. Here is my biography.

I'm excited to share a look into my professional journey and passions—from career coaching and agricultural education to strategic project leadership and AI integration. Over the past 15 years, I’ve been privileged to work alongside students, educators, industry leaders, and communities to create meaningful impact. Here is my biography.

Mike Chapter is a visionary culinary executive and food product strategist with over 30 years of experience driving innovation across foodservice, CPG, and grocery retail. As Executive Director at Food IQ, LLC, and owner of Hands On Gourmet, Mike has led the development of award-winning food products, created culinary training programs for Fortune 500 companies, and guided startups through product launches and co-manufacturing partnerships. A Certified Master Taster® and former Kraft Foods corporate chef, he blends deep food science expertise with creative culinary leadership to help brands elevate quality, scale production, and delight customers. Mike now brings his strategic insight to advisory and board roles, supporting companies looking to grow through innovation, operational excellence, and consumer-centric product development.

After more than two decades of working across operations, manufacturing, and poultry leadership—both in the U.S. and internationally—I’ve taken time to reflect on the journey so far and the values that have shaped my leadership approach. I'm grateful for the teams I've led, the businesses I've helped transform, and the communities I’ve engaged with. Here is my biography.

With over four decades of leadership experience, John Heflebower is a dynamic strategic advisor who blends deep financial expertise with operational acumen to help businesses prepare for transformative growth and successful exits. From his roots in the wine and spirits industry to his advisory roles in cybersecurity and energy management, John brings a unique cross-industry perspective. As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and Certified Financial Planner, he specializes in guiding mature companies through liquidity events with a focus on maximizing value, mitigating risk, and aligning business goals with personal outcomes. A lifelong learner and communicator, John is committed to helping leaders think beyond the obvious, craft smarter strategies, and build organizations that are ready for what’s next.

I'm excited to share my professional executive biography that outlines my journey in quality assurance, regulatory affairs, and operations leadership within FDA-regulated industries. With 18+ years of experience, a strong educational background, and a passion for continuous improvement, I'm actively seeking board or advisory opportunities where I can bring strategic insight and operational excellence to the table.

Renée Hazlet is a seasoned food safety expert, U.S. Army veteran, and creative entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in regulatory compliance, public health, and process improvement. With a longstanding career at USDA-FSIS and a background in food science, she brings deep expertise in HACCP, GMP, and food manufacturing oversight. Renée is also the founder of RenaissanceTinkerDork L.L.C., where she expresses her passion for stained glass and digital art. A proud transgender woman and advocate for equity and inclusion, Renée seeks board opportunities where she can use her technical knowledge, collaborative mindset, and lived experience to make systems better and more inclusive for all.

With nearly three decades of experience leading teams, driving growth, and enhancing customer experiences, I'm proud to share insights from my journey. Passionate about culinary innovation, operational excellence, and community engagement, here is my biography.