2025 ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit

Jenn Smith leads food and ag innovation programs for Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement. Her portfolio includes the Grow-NY program, an annual $3M investment competition for innovative, early stage, high growth potential businesses working anywhere in the agrifood system; she also directs a Dairy Innovation Initiative focusing on bringing new dairy products from idea stage to store shelves, an ag tech hardware accelerator, and the Community Hub of the Northeast USDA Regional Food Business Center. In her role she draws on her background in entrepreneurship in the food and farming space and subject matter expertise in craft beverage market development, gained while the Executive Director of the New York Cider Association and the New York State Distillers Guild.

In addition to leading NYCA and NYSDG, Jenn has helped entrepreneurs throughout the Northeast launch innovative technologies, value-added products, agritourism ventures, and hospitality businesses.