2025 ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit

Sara Burnett serves as ReFED’s Executive Director. She provides organizational leadership with direct oversight of ReFED’s programs, operations, and administration, and contributes to the organization’s overall strategic vision. Most recently, she served as Founder and Principal Consultant of Burnett Strategy and Communications, where she helped purpose-driven organizations grow their businesses while driving positive impact. Prior to this, Sara served as Vice President of Food Beliefs, Sustainability, and Public Relations at Panera Bread and Panera Brands for 18 years, where she pioneered the company’s Clean Food Commitment and led both Panera Bread’s Day-End Dough-Nation program as well as the Panera Bread Foundation.

Sara began her career as a food scientist and supply chain expert leading programs in ingredient quality, food safety, climate strategy, and animal welfare. She was a Pathfinder Environmental Fellow at Washington University in St. Louis, where she received a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology. She holds an MBA from Webster University in St. Louis.

Sara has been happily married to a St. Louis firefighter for nearly 20 years and is the proud mother of two teenage daughters. When she’s not on the sidelines at a soccer game or attending school events, you can find her running, hiking, or reading.