Sara Burnett

Sara Burnett currently serves as the Executive Director of ReFED, a U.S.-based organization focused on reducing food waste. Prior to this role, Sara was the Healthy Menus R&D Collaborative Program Manager & Chair at The Culinary Institute of America, where efforts centered on enhancing healthy food choices within high-volume food service. Sara also founded Burnett Strategy and Communications, offering consulting services in sustainability and communications for global food and beverage brands. Notably, Sara spent 18 years at Panera Bread, where roles included VP of Food Beliefs, Sustainability, and Public Relations, and Director of Wellness and Food Policy, significantly advancing the brand's ESG strategies and public relations. Sara began professional career at Ecolab as TMIT and holds a BA in Biology and Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis and an MBA from Webster University.