New! Opening General Session, Awards, and Keynote Speaker Jack Uldrich, Global Futurist
Monday, October 19
8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Monday morning it’s down to business with an impressive opening session including updates on how AACC International is looking forward in the advancement of grain science, honoring members who have made significant contributions to the field of grain science, and the presenting of several of the society awards. This session will include global futurist, author, and speaker Jack Uldrich.
“The Big AHA: How to Future-Proof Your Business Against Tomorrow’s Transformational Trends, Today”
Jack Uldrich
Global Futurist, Speaker, Author
The greatest change in the near future will be the rate of change itself—it is accelerating. In this enlightening, energetic, entertaining and educational session, global futurist Jack Uldrich will share insights from his new book (Business as Unusual: The Big AHA) and guide participants through a conversation about how industry leaders can future-proof themselves—and organizations—against “the tides of tomorrow.” Among just a few of the topics Uldrich will discuss are:
- How individuals can become more aware of transformational change and then use this awareness to improve business outcomes
- Why humility will be integral to future success
- How taking small actions—and some risks—may very well be the smartest and safest thing AACCI leaders can do to position themselves and their organizations for future success
Jack Uldrich is a well-recognized author of 11 books, including a number of award-winning best sellers. He is a frequent speaker on technology, change management, and leadership and has addressed hundreds of corporations, associations, and not-for-profit organizations on five continents. He regularly makes television appearances on the Science Channel’s “FutureScape” program and the Discovery Channel show “Inside Out,” and is a frequent guest on major media outlets, including CNN, CNBC and National Public Radio. Jack is also an ongoing contributor on emerging technologies and future trends for a number of publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Wired magazine and BusinessWeek.
Jack is a former naval intelligence officer and Defense Department official. He previously served as the director of the Minnesota Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning. His most recent book is Foresight 20/20: A Futurist Explores the Trends Transforming Tomorrow and his forthcoming book is Business as Unusual: How to Future-Proof Yourself Against Tomorrow’s Transformational Trends, Today.
The Growth of Grains: The Role of Cereal-based Products in Nourishing A Growing Population
Tuesday, October 20
8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Dr. Mehmood Khan
Vice Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer of Global Research and Development, PepsiCo
From ancient grains to “advantaged grains” to innovative new “convergence” products that combine grains with dairy, grains are enjoying a well-deserved surge in popularity worldwide. Dr. Khan will discuss the crucial role grains can play in shaping future food and nutrition trends to meet a growing population that is set to reach 9 billion by 2050.
Dr. Khan, M.D., is PepsiCo’s Vice Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer of Global Research and Development. In its global portfolio of food and beverage brands, PepsiCo has 22 different brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
In his role, Dr. Khan oversees the PepsiCo global Performance with Purpose sustainability initiatives, designed to enhance environmental, human and talent sustainability for the company, and he leads PepsiCo’s research and development (R&D) efforts, creating breakthrough innovations in food, beverages and nutrition—as well as delivery, packaging and production technology—to capture competitive advantage and drive PepsiCo’s businesses forward.
With a strong emphasis on broadening the company’s portfolio of offerings, Dr. Khan sets the priorities for innovation, discovery and development at PepsiCo. As Chair of PepsiCo’s Sustainability Council, Dr. Khan oversees and guides PepsiCo’s sustainability initiatives that help: 1) protect and conserve global water supplies (and provide access to safe water); 2) innovate our packaging to minimize our impact on the environment; 3) eliminate solid waste to landfills from our production facilities; 4) reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions across our global businesses; and 5) support sustainable agriculture by expanding best practices with our growers and suppliers. Under Dr. Khan’s stewardship, PepsiCo’s Food For Good (an enterprise within the company that utilizes PepsiCo’s delivery vehicles, warehouse facilities and management skills to make nutrition accessible for low-income families in the U.S.) is making a difference in the fight against hunger.
Additionally, Dr. Khan strengthens PepsiCo’s global network, reputation and knowledge base by launching research projects with leading universities and technology companies, as well as by spearheading agricultural and nutrition science initiatives.
This Jimmy Kimmel video is a great example of the importance of communicating science beyond the scientific community. See what happens when a variety of people who follow a gluten-free diet are asked to explain what gluten is.
Closing General Session and Keynote Speaker Valeri Lantz-Gefroh, Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science
Wednesday, October 21
4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
As the centennial meeting comes to a close we will complete our presentation of awards but we will continue our focus on the future with speaker Valari Lantz-Gefroh from the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University in New York.
“Distilling Your Message – Communicating Your Science”
Valeri Lantz-Gefroh
Improvisation Coordinator, Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science
Moving cereal grain science forward cannot be done without sharing information and innovations to a broader audience. Can you effectively communicate about science with people outside of the field? Through discussions and practice, attendees will learn the fundamental skills to effectively discuss cereal grain science with the general public, the media, students, potential employers, funders, and potential collaborators.
Learn general principles in how to craft short, clear, conversational statements, intelligible to non-scientists, about what you do and why it matters. Interesting examples will address problems and solutions in public interactions as well as peer-to-peer communication, using analogies to illuminate unfamiliar concepts.
Valeri Lantz-Gefroh, MFA, is a Lecturer in the School of Journalism where she serves as the Improvisation Coordinator in the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. She teaches workshops and graduate courses at Stony Brook, and has traveled around the country teaching improvisation at other universities, conferences and labs. Val is the producer of Science on Tap, an award winning live event and web show. She is also the coordinator of Science Unplugged, where she mentors and coaches students from the Alda Center to give science talks for the public. Val is spearheading a project to train teaching assistants in Biology, Physics and Chemistry to better communicate with their students and is the lead instructor for this initiative.
Val has been a theater professional for the past 25 years as an actor, director and playwright. Prior to her move to the School of Journalism, she was a faculty member and Director of Acting for the Department of Theatre Arts at Stony Brook University where she directed and taught acting at all levels. Val also serves as the artistic director of Asylum Theatre Company, produced at Staller Center for the Arts.
