Algae leader and advocate, Jill Kauffman Johnson, discusses how tiny microbes may be one of our most powerful solutions to address climate change. Through fermentation, microalgae, yeast, and bacteria are providing nutritious and delicious foods using less of our planet's resources. Jill Kauffman Johnson is Head of Global Market Development for Algae Ingredients at Corbion, a Netherlands-based global leader in food and bio-based ingredients. Jill is a leading advocate for the health and environmental benefits of algae for food, feed, and innovative materials.
With decades of experience in the environmental movement, Kauffman Johnson was formerly Principal and Managing Director of CEA Consulting, a leading firm working at the intersection of policy, philanthropy and the private sector to address some of today’s most serious environmental challenges. She has co-founded and supported the launch of numerous non-profit organizations including Multiplier, OneTam, ClimateWorks Foundation and Roots of Change (ROC) Fund. She also served as the founding Director of the Pacific Coast Regional Office of the Ocean Conservancy where she initiated the first public-private effort in California to address marine plastic pollution.
Kauffman Johnson has been a featured speaker at dozens of international environmental, business and scientific conferences, as well as future of food events. She has been interviewed and cited in publications ranging from the New York Times, Forbes, Fortune, to most major seafood publications as well as appearances on CNN, and local media outlets. She is a Switzer Fellow, the recipient of the PIBA Award for Outstanding Safety, Health and Environmental Leadership to the Silicon Valley EH&S Community, and serves as the Board Chair of the Algae Biomass Organization, the world’s leading algae trade organization.
Kauffman Johnson holds a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University and a BA in Human Biology from Stanford University. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx