Jeanne Merrill, M.Sc., Executive Director of the Berkeley Food Institute (an interdisciplinary research, education and policy institute working to advance just and sustainable food systems), has 25+ years’ experience in food systems advocacy, policy analysis and development, and nonprofit leadership. A co-founder and former Policy Director with the California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN), she led policy initiatives that established the state’s Climate Smart Agriculture Programs, resulting in nearly $1 billion invested in financial incentives and technical assistance. Jeanne has also held several state and federal appointments, most recently to the U.S. EPA’s Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (2023).