Scholarship Recipients

As a Senior Design Researcher at Food for Climate League, Stephanie Szemetylo integrates human-centered design and behavioral science to make sustainable food choices intuitive for those who prepare and serve food—and enticing for those who eat it. Her work explores ways to position climate-smart foods, from beans to bivalves, as relevant and appealing to eaters’ needs and values. At the Academic Poster Fair, Stephanie will present FCL’s latest work on plant-based defaults, introducing a leadership workshop and practical toolkit designed to help dining hall leaders and staff implement simple, effective serving strategies that increase plant-based meal uptake.

I graduated from the University of Michigan in 2024 with a bachelor's degree in Applied Exercise Science and I am currently pursuing my Master of Public Health in Nutritional Sciences. Go Blue! Throughout my time at Michigan, I have worked alongside registered dietitians at Michigan Performance Nutrition and MDining to help support the nutritional needs of University of Michigan students. In my future career, I hope to work closely with vendors to procure and promote sustainable food options to students on campus.

Bio coming soon!

Throughout my time at Michigan, I have used my coursework and research experience to explore food systems and coastal ecology, which has strengthened my interest in the social and ecological impact within the fisheries sector. In 2024, I had the opportunity to conduct research on these topics in Costa Rica, and have since spent my time engaging with local food systems through my time with the Detroit Eastern Market and the UM Campus Farm. I am now involved in research surrounding coastal ecology and conservation, where I study coral growth on artificial reefs. Upon graduation in May, I look forward to pursuing opportunities to enhance the sustainability of fisheries through an ecological lens and drive positive change in food systems. 

Matt is a Sustainability Consultant at Impact Collective Group and an MBA candidate at the Ross School of Business, with a concentration in operations through the Tauber Institute for Global Operations. He holds 4+ years in supply chain consulting with Deloitte, working across industries on digital transformation and supply planning initiatives. Matt's passion lies at the intersection of operations, sustainability, and technology. 

Kaylynn is an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan studying Program in the Environment with a specialization in Business and Sustainability and a minor in Earth Sciences. Kaylynn is an Erb Institute Undergraduate Fellows student, a member of an Environmental Consulting Organization on campus, an intern for Graham Sustainability Institute, and a peer advisor for the Program in the Environment. This semester she has had the opportunity to work with MDining to create a sustainability handbook for vendors, and is working this summer as an intern with Dawn Foods Global further exploring the connection between food, sustainability, and procurement. 

I am a senior at the University of Michigan, majoring in International Studies with minors in Sustainability and Urban Development. I am currently a co-president for the Erb Institute Undergraduate Fellows' Program, a TA for Sara Soderstrom's Business and Sustainability class and an intern at U-M's Graham Sustainability Institute. After graduation, I will be moving to Manhattan to join ERM as a sustainability consultant for their sustainability strategy team.

I am a senior at the University of Michigan, double majoring in Economics and Environmental Science. I am also a member of the Erb Undergraduate Fellows' Program. Throughout my time at Michigan, I have volunteered at the Campus Farm during workdays and this experience has made me interested in the agricultural sector and sustainable practices. 

My experience revolves around food, agriculture, supply chain & ops and sustainability. My educational background is in agriculture, business and sustainability. 

Professionally I worked in consulting and with startups, launching 2 startups to eliminate food waste and also increase farmers yield. In my last role, I was a Manager with EY Supply Chain & Operations practice, supporting consumer products' client scale and improve its efficiency.

Alexandra Maxwell is a dual-degree MBA/MS Sustainability candidate at the University of Michigan, specializing in operations, data-analytics, and strategy.  She brings over a decade of experience in finance, accounting, and project management, having served as Controller at Darey Brands and International Project Manager for a global ERP implementation. Alexandra has led cross-functional initiatives to improve operational efficiency, enhance inclusion for ESL employees, and support sustainability strategy development. She currently serves in leadership roles with the Tauber Institute, Social Venture Fund, and MBA Council, and is passionate about building equitable systems at the intersection of business, policy, and the environment.

Amidat is a Nigerian-American engineer, artist, and community leader. A self-proclaimed foodie who seeks a healthy lifestyle balance, Amidat's research is rooted in improving food ecosystems that preserve marginalized cultures and provide a dignified lifestyle to all players—from farmers to consumers. Amidat is an MBA/MS candidate at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS). At Ross, she is a Consortium Fellow, and the inaugural recipient of the Miguel Andrés Sossa-Mardomingo (MÁS) Scholarship. At SEAS, Amidat is an Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise Fellow specializing in Sustainability and Development. While at Michigan, Amidat works closely with the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurship and the Business+Impact Studio supporting student-led startups. She is an Investment Associate with the UM International Investment Fund, leading the sourcing and diligence of early-stage, impact-driven startups in emerging markets. Prior to graduate studies, Amidat worked as a strategy and operations manager in the e-commerce industry. She is a DMV native and an alumna of Georgia Tech, where she studied Materials Science and Engineering. Outside of work, Amidat is a certified hot yoga instructor and enjoys working out.