Renske Lynde

Renske Lynde has a diverse and extensive work experience in the food system and sustainability field. In 1997, they started their career as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Renske then worked as a Program Associate at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, where they organized committees for a food and agriculture event. Renske later took on roles as a Food & Agriculture Policy Campaign Organizer and Consumer Educator at the University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, where they developed campaigns and taught seminars on environmental justice and advocacy in the food system. From 2006-2009, they served as a Strategic Food Systems Consultant for various non-profit organizations and foundations, conducting research, providing analysis, and offering policy recommendations. In 2009, Renske became the Associate Director of Policy & Advocacy at the San Francisco Food Bank, leading anti-hunger policy initiatives. Renske then became a Visiting Fellow at the Berkeley Food Institute, where they provided thought leadership on impact investing and cross-sector collaboration. In 2014, they co-founded Food System 6 Accelerator and served as the CEO, while also being the Board President. Renske'srole involved mentoring and coaching impact-driven entrepreneurs and educating stakeholders on the capital needs of the food system. Renske also worked as a General Partner at 1st Course Capital, an early stage venture capital firm investing in innovations in the food system. Currently, they are a Food Leaders Fellow at The Aspen Institute, exploring ways to increase diversity in the venture capital industry for the food system. Additionally, Renske has been an active angel investor, board member, advisor, and philanthropist for various early-stage companies and non-profit efforts aimed at transforming the food system.

Renske Lynde attended the University of California, Berkeley - School of Law in 2018 where they completed the VC Unlocked Deal Camp program in Finance, General. Prior to that, from 2001 to 2003, they pursued a Master's degree in Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. Renske Lynde started their education journey by earning a Bachelor's degree in Political Science & Psychology with Summa Cum Laude honors from Boston University, where they studied from 1990 to 1994.