
The AI for Food
Global Summit
Chicago, August 14 – 15, 2024
The Eldelman Test Kitchen
meet industry, academia, government, startup and Venture Capital leaders discuss the role of AI for the food ecosystem
Join an exclusive, invitation-only gathering that brings together specialists and aficionados from various sectors of the food industry to discuss crucial topics at the confluence of AI and the food ecosystem, such as impact, significance, future prospects, governance, skill enhancement, and investment opportunities.
Panelists will offer insights into the current role of AI within their specialties and, looking ahead, will share their vision on the evolution and influence of AI in the years to come.
Attendees will have the unique opportunity to engage with each panelist in intimate group settings, delving into the pressing issues and seeking answers to the questions that matter most to them.
Keynote Panel

Kevin Cook
Edelman
President

Hon. Yinam Cohen
Consul General of Israel to the Midwest

Hon. Somnath Ghosh
Consul General of India in Chicago

Hon. Madeleine Féquière
Consul General of Canada in Chicago

Hon. Raja Krishnamoorthi
Congressman (D-Il), 8th District
Our amazing speakers
Our speakers are not just experts in their fields; they are passionate pioneers eager to explore the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in the food industry. With a blend of curiosity and expertise, they are excited to share their visionary insights and hands-on experiences, making the concept of “AI for Food” both accessible and highly relevant to industry professionals.
Get ready to be inspired by their innovative perspectives and practical knowledge!

Mike Brown
Synergy Flavors
Vice President, Research, Development and Innovation

Maxine Roman
Kraft Heinz
Lead, R&D Innovation Collaboration & Partnerships

Adelaide Feuer
Edible Inc.
Executive Vice President

John Dyck
CESMII
CEO, Clean Energy Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CESMII)

Adam Rosenberg
Lexmark
AI and IoT Business Development

Balamurugan Balakreshnan
Microsoft
Senior Director

Joe Hamann
Connected System Institute (CSI)
Executive Director, Connected System Institute (CSI) at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Cam LinkE
Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII)
CEO

Lisa Saxon Reed
McCain Foods
Senior Director, Global Sensory and User Experience

Simona Fernandes
Plug and Play Tech Center (PNPTC)
Venture Analyst, Food and
Beverage

Cam Crowder
Redstick Ventures
Co-Founder

Aaditi Tamhankar
Bluestein Ventures
Analyst

Sridhar Ramandham
Cogni AI
Investor

Rinka Banerjee
Thinking Forks
Founder & Director

Amanda Hennessey
BCD iLabs
Head of R&D Sales

Manuela Zoninsein
Kadeya
CEO & Founder

Alison Borgmeyer
Edelman
U.S. Chair of Food & Beverage,

Christopher Hoemeke
Rockwell Automation
Global Key Accounts

Tina Gettis
The Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH)
Business Development & Communications
Council Chair, Staff Advisory Council

Kence Anderson
Composabl AI
Co-Founder & CEO

Dr. Chris DownS
Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)
Past President and Board Member

SOM GanChoudhuri
AI Palette
CEO

Robert Schaul
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton
Partner

Jacob Barry
Illinois Science and Technology Coalition (ITSC)
Innovation Program Manager
Presenters

Vinay Indraganti
BCD iLabs
Founder and CEO, BCD iLabs
Co-Founder, AI for Food Global Initiative

Michael Walton
BCD iLabs
Co-Founder and President, BCD iLabs

Ravi K
AI for Food Global Initiative
Co-Founder

George Lenhart
BCD iLabs
Co-Founder
Multiple tracks across two stimulating days
August 14, 2024
Event opening
9:30 am – 11:00 am CST
Kevin Cook, President, Edelman
Hon. Yinam Cohen, Consul General of Israel in Chicago
Hon. Somnath Ghosh, Consul General of India in Chicago
Hon. Madeleine Féquière, Consul General of Canada in Chicago
Hon. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Congressman (D-Il), 8th District
The AI For Food Movement – Book Release
Vinay Indraganti
Founder and CEO, BCD iLabs
Co-Founder, AI for Food Global Initiative
Michael Walton, Co-Founder and President, BCD iLabs
Ravi K
Co-Founder, AI for Food Global Initiative
Panel: AI for Food R&D
11.30 am – 1:00 pm CST
Mike Brown, Vice President, Research, Development and Innovation, Synergy Flavors
Maxine Roman, Lead, R&D Innovation Collaboration & Partnerships, Kraft Heinz
Alison Borgmeyer, U.S. Chair of Food & Beverage, Edelman
Moderator
Vinay Indraganti, Founder and CEO, BCD iLabs
Panel: AI for Food Manufacturing
2:00 PM – 3:30 pm CST
John Dyck, CEO of the Clean Energy Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CESMII)
Adam Rosenberg, AI and IoT Business Development, Lexmark
Balamurugan Balakreshnan, Sr. Director, Microsoft
Moderator
Michael Walton, Co-Founder and President, BCD iLabs
Panel: AI For Food: Research, Innovation and Skills
4:00 PM – 5:30 pm CST
Lisa Saxon Reed, Senior Director, Global Sensory and User Experience, McCain Foods
Joe Hamann, Executive Director, Connected System Institute
George Lenhart, Co-founder, BCD iLabs
Cam Linke, Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII)
Moderator
Ravi K, Co-Founder, AI for Food Global Initiative
August 15, 2024
Panel: AI for Food Investment Opportunities
9:30 am – 11:00 am CST
Simona Fernandes, Ventures Analyst, Early-stage Investor, Food and Beverage
Cam Crowder, Co-Founder Redstick Ventures
Aaditi Tamhankar, Analyst, Bluestein Ventures
Sreedhar Ramanadham, Investor, Cogni AI
Moderator
Vinay Indraganti, Founder and CEO, BCD iLabs
Panel: Women Leading AI for Food
11.30 am – 1:00 pm CST
Rinka Banerjee, Founder & CEO, Thinking Forks
Amanda Hennessey, Head of R&D Sales, BCD
Manuela Zoninsein, CEO, Kadeya
Moderator:
Alison Borgmeyer, U.S. Chair of Food & Beverage, Edelman
Panel: AI and Food Safety
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm CST
Christopher Hoemeke, Global Key Accounts, Rockwell Automation
Tina Gettis, The Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH)
Kence Anderson, CEO, Composabl AI
Moderator
Michael Walton, Co-Founder and President, BCD iLabs
Panel: AI for Food
Governance, Policy, Ethics and Sustainability
4:00 PM – 5:30 pm CST
Jacob Barry, Innovation Program Manager, Illinois Science and Technology Coalition (ITSC)
Robert J Schaul, Partner, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton
Somsubhra Ganchoudhury, Co-founder& CEO, AI Palette
Dr. Chris Downs, Board Member and Past President, IFT
Moderator
Ravi K, Co-Founder, AI for Food Global Initiative
Conclusion & Announcements
Vinay Indraganti | Ravi K
The AI For Food Global Summit, 2025
The AI For Food Movement Book Launch in NYC, September 17, 2024