Ellen Gustafson | |
---|---|
File:Ellen Gustafson.jpg | |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Columbia University |
Occupation(s) | social entrepreneur, sustainable food system activist |
Organization(s) | FEED Projects, 30 Project |
Ellen Gustafson is a businessperson, social entrepreneur and sustainable food system activist. She is best known for co-founding FEED Projects with Lauren Bush[1], as well as for founding 30 Project[2]. In addition to these, she has also been a US Spokesperson for the UN World Food Programme.[3]
Early Life
Gustafson attended Columbia University, prompted by her grandmother's experiences there. Here she gained a bachelor's degree in International Politics, with her thesis concentrating on terrorism as a global issue. This lead to work with the Council on Foreign Relations and then as a reporter for ABC News, specializing in terrorism. It is this period in her life that she credits with inspiring her to focus on the link between food and violence.[4]
FEED Projects
In 2006, Gustafson co-founded FEED Projects, alongside Lauren Bush, a model and niece of former US President George W. Bush.[5]. This is a project aims to feed one child for a year per bag sold, with money from every purchase going to the World Food Programme.[6] Her involvement with FEED Projects led to a number of accolades, including being named as one of Fortune Magazine's Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs in 2009[7], Inc. Magazine's 30 Under 30 list[8] and in the Diplomatic Courier's Top 99 Under 33 in 2009.[9]
FEED Foundation
Gustafson is also the former executive director of the FEED Foundation, the non-profit wing of FEED Projects. The FEED Foundation aims to tackle world hunger and has provided 60 million school meals to children around the world.[10]
30 Project
Gustafson is the founder and executive director of the 30 Project.[11] This non-profit aims to look back at the past 30 years and discuss why obesity rates and starvation rates have risen significantly over this time. In addition to this, the 30 Project also engages different people and companies within the food industry in an attempt to reverse these issues.[12] Gustafson works alongside Danielle Nierenberg at the 30 Project.[13]
Public Speaking
Gustafson has spoken at a number of high profile events, on subjects relating to hunger and her involvement with the FEED Projects and 30 Project. This includes speaking at Harvard Business School, NYU, Yale, the US Naval Academy, Lehigh University and Columbia University.[14] She has also presented a TED talk.[15]
References
- ^ "Lauren Bush and Ellen Gustafson, Founders of FEED Projects". Inc. 2010-07-19. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
- ^ "Creating a Better Food System, One Dinner at a Time". Good.is. 2011-03-08. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
- ^ "President's Forum". Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
- ^ "Ellen Gustafson '02 Helps To Feed the World". Columbia College. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
- ^ "Lauren Bush and Ellen Gustafson, Founders of FEED Projects". Inc. 2010-07-19. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
- ^ "Feed Projects line of bags helps feed hungry kids". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-07-17.
- ^ "Top women entrepreneurs". Fortune Magazine. 2009-12-07. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
- ^ "Lauren Bush and Ellen Gustafson, Founders of FEED Projects". Inc. 2010-07-19. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
- ^ "Ellen Gustafson". Diplomatic Courier. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
- ^ "About Us". FEED Foundation. Retrieved 2012-11-26.
- ^ "World Food Prize participants talk about food insecurity". Radio Iowa. 2011-10-12. Retrieved 2012-11-26.
- ^ "How Ellen Gustafson Will Change The Future Of Food". American Express Open Forum. Retrieved 2012-11-26.
- ^ "What's 30 Project?". 30 Project. Retrieved 2012-11-26.
- ^ "2011 Social Enterprise Conference Speakers". Columbia Business School. Retrieved 2012-11-26.
- ^ "Ellen Gustafson: Obesity + Hunger = 1 global food issue". TED. Retrieved 2012-11-26.