ACES joins leaders discussing the 'Future of Ag and Nutrition’ at Chicago Venture Summit
The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign joined more than 600 startup founders, investors, and industry leaders at the Chicago Venture Summit: Future of Food, hosted by World Business Chicago.
The sold-out summit spotlighted Chicagoland’s role as the nation’s top food manufacturing hub and a global center for innovation and investment. This year’s program featured the first-ever Future of Food Waste Forum, presented by Nicor Gas, alongside sessions exploring sustainability, technology, and the future of nutrition.
As a presenting sponsor, the College of ACES partnered with Edelman to host a panel discussion titled “The Future of Ag and Nutrition.” The conversation examined how communications and collaboration are transforming the food and agriculture landscape — from combating misinformation to advancing sustainability, health, and innovation.
Panelists included:
- Adelaide Feuer, managing director, Edelman (Moderator)
- Brett Lutz, vice president for global communications, ADM
- Brian Jacobson, associate director for strategic operations for the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Library, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Michael Miller, professor of food microbiology in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Germán Bollero, Dean of the College of ACES, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Closing Remarks)
During closing remarks, Dean Bollero emphasized that the future of food and nutrition depends on building an ecosystem where research, innovation, and community impact work in tandem.
“The future of food and nutrition isn’t about one innovation or one discovery — it’s about how we nurture ideas, connect them to markets, and ensure they serve people and communities,” Bollero said. “Through initiatives like the iFAB Tech Hub, we’re transforming Central Illinois into an epicenter of biomanufacturing — turning Illinois grain into sustainable products that can reshape global supply chains.”
From personalized nutrition and biomanufacturing to public–private partnerships with companies like ADM, ACES continues to play a central role in advancing the science, communication, and economic development that drive the future of food systems.
Learn more about the Chicago Venture Summit: Future of Food and read the full release from World Business Chicago.