Debra Freedman, Ph.D., has been working in the curriculum field for over 20 years. She is an experienced educator, curriculum scholar, researcher, and learner. Her passions include education, learning, curriculum development, instructor/learner experience, and creative program design, development, and delivery. At the University of Minnesota, she serves as the Curriculum Director of the Integrated Food Systems Leadership program, the Education Manager of the Food Protection and Defense Institute, and a member of the CVM Office of Online Learning Team at the University of Minnesota.

Jennifer van de Ligt, Ph.D., is the Director of the Integrated Food Systems Leadership program, Director of the Food Protection and Defense Institute, and Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota. She has an extensive background in animal feed and human food production, nutrition, safety, and regulations. She uses this background to lead an online learning program dedicated to improving the leadership and systems thinking capabilities of early to mid-career professionals affiliated with any aspect of the food system. In addition, Dr. van de Ligt works to assure productive and effective public-private partnership and stakeholder engagement focusing on building multi-sectoral collaboration and perspectives to inform research design and implementation of extension and education activities.