Elise Dudley Email and Phone Number

Developing and implementing sustainability and food education programs and initiatives to support Bon Appétit’s food systems leadership in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Serving on the regional support team as a resource for culinary teams, client stakeholders, and students at higher education accounts.

As a Fellow on Bon Appétit's Corporate Food Education Team, I worked to heighten awareness of food system and sustainability issues at higher education institutions through education and collaboration. I developed robust food education programs from scratch, executed internal projects, and forged new partnerships to promote climate-friendly dining alongside Bon Appétit’s ongoing social and environmental initiatives.During nearly 50 visits to higher education accounts across the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regions, I engaged thousands of students on food system and sustainability issues. I delivered over 80 guest lectures and presentations, led nearly 35 cooking demos and classes for college and elementary students, conducted over 30 plate waste research studies, partnered with 24 local farmers and producers, and collaborated on events with campus organizations. Additionally, I completed a range of projects within the Food Education, Communications, Waste Programs, Wellness, and Purchasing teams.

Grassroots sustainability marketing role focused on eliminating packaging waste in the supply chain.

Supported in fieldwork, harvest, propagation, wash/pack, and crop storage. Responsible for managing weekly farmer's markets including inventory planning, record keeping, and organization. Organized on-farm gathering for 400-member CSA and designed marketing collateral and t-shirt collection.

Researcher in the Earth, Environmental, & Sustainability Sciences Department with Dr. Karen Allen. Explored the potential of leveraging home food gardens to cultivate ecological value systems, address food security, & restore ecosystems. Conducted an inventory of land availability and suitability using ArcGIS in Greenville, SC and utilized the New Ecological Paradigm and Relational Values assessments in distributing a national survey.

Coordinated and led Furman’s first food justice-focused alternative break: "Food for Thought.” Program launched March 2020 as a week-long exploration of alternative food economies, small scale farming, and food justice.

Environmental advocacy fellowship including summer training, monthly mentorship, and authoring articles. Coordinated multiple community forums on justice, health, and sustainability in the food system.

Fine dining server at James Beard nominated farm-to-table restaurant. Assisted on the organic farm with seeding, harvest, and seasonal projects. Supported tasting menus & led espresso trainings.

Part of a dynamic farm-to-table team in opening months. Mentored in front-of-house management, crop/harvest planning, and culinary techniques.

Led trainings and facilitated collaboration and reflection within Furman's UN Millennium Fellow cohort. Maintained regular communication with MCN staff and other campus directors.

Represented the Shi Institute in a variety of capacities and roles spanning food and waste education, working on the Furman Farm, and producing articles and other social media content.

Developed and executed events such as plate waste awareness, plant-based milk tasting, weekly farm spotlight, and "imperfect produce" tasting & film screening. Organized hands-on health-focused cooking classes for Greenville Boys & Girls Club. Collected data on food waste & implemented behavioral interventions in dining hall.

Taught nutrition curriculum at Head Start Centers, worked in gardens, & facilitated produce/recipe card distributions. Conducted research with Clemson University to gauge curriculum impact on eating habits.

Collaborated with teachers to strengthen English curriculum and improve students' conversational fluency. Shadowed doctors in Rutsiro District. Worked alongside agronomist of Cyimbili Coffee Plantation. Hosted Congo Nile Trail hikers at base camp.