Rebecca Chesney
About Rebecca Chesney
Rebecca Chesney serves as the Director of Food Systems Design at IDEO, where she has worked since 2018. With over a decade of experience in food systems innovation, she has held various roles in research and consulting, contributing to significant projects and collaborations in the field.
Work at IDEO
Rebecca Chesney has served as the Director of Food Systems Design at IDEO since 2018. In this role, she leads the Circular Economy of Food CoLab, collaborating with global partners including Kroger, Danone, Electrolux, EAT, Thought for Food, and The Rockefeller Foundation. Her responsibilities include conducting ethnographic research and leading foresight training workshops aimed at enhancing the food system. Under her leadership, IDEO has focused on identifying innovative solutions to adapt to rapid changes in the food industry.
Previous Experience
Before joining IDEO, Rebecca Chesney held several positions in the food and finance sectors. She worked as the Research Director for the Food Futures Lab at the Institute for the Future from 2013 to 2018. Prior to that, she served as a Junior Professional Associate at The World Bank from 2008 to 2010. Her early career included a role as a Research Fellow at the Financial Accounting Standards Board and an internship at Barrington Gifts in China.
Education and Expertise
Rebecca Chesney holds a Master of Arts in Anthropology of Food from SOAS University of London, which she completed in 2011. She also earned a Master of Science in Finance from Texas A&M University in 2007, where she was recognized as the Earl Rudder Memorial Outstanding Student. Additionally, she has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas A&M University. Her educational background supports her expertise in identifying patterns and contextualizing innovation within the food industry.
Research and Publications
Rebecca Chesney has conducted extensive research in food systems, including ethnographic studies in homes and farms. Her insights have been shared at international conferences, where she has been a featured speaker. Her work has been recognized in various prominent publications, including The New York Times, Wired, Marketplace Tech, CNN, and Canadian Grocer, highlighting her contributions to discussions on food systems and innovation.
Achievements
Rebecca Chesney has received notable recognition throughout her career. In 2007, she was awarded the Earl Rudder Memorial Outstanding Student honor at Texas A&M University, distinguishing her among 11,000 graduates. Additionally, she was one of ten graduates selected for the Financial Accounting Standards Board's fellowship program in 2007, underscoring her early contributions to the field of finance.