Climate Week NYC 2025
Reducing wasted food is a powerful and practical lever, capable of simultaneously advancing climate goals, relieving pressure on waste systems, and building food security within communities. A 2024 study found that Massachusetts has the most effective food waste ban in the US. While that finding is likely accurate, the study did not capture the full range of factors that have made Massachusetts a leader.
Join the Center for EcoTechnology (CET) to uncover a deeper understanding of what local actors have done, and leave with proven, replicable strategies for implementing effective food waste policies that yield the outcomes we all desire: waste reduction, emissions reductions, cost savings, and more sustainable food systems across America.
Date: September 23, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Venue: 275 Seventh Avenue, 12th Floor, New York
Angel Veza, Moderator
Director of Innovation at ReFED
Angel Veza is the Director of Innovation at ReFED, where she leads efforts to scale solutions that fight climate change by tackling one of its biggest drivers – food waste. She began her career in education, teaching to underserved communities. After working with students for seven years, Angel earned her Grand Diplôme from the French Culinary Institute and went on to join teams at several of New York City’s most renowned restaurants, including Morimoto and the two Michelin-starred Atera, and also worked with foodservice companies such as Compass Group. During that time, she observed the significant amount of food being wasted in the hospitality industry, and pivoted her career to work with the food waste team at World Wildlife Fund. Building on this experience, she worked in supply chain and led strategic sourcing and procurement efforts focused on food waste reduction at Manhattan Restaurant, part of Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group in New York City.
Akif Khan
Clinical Fellow at Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic
Akif Khan is a Clinical Fellow at the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC). His work at FLPC includes building resources that improve domestic and international food donation pathways, highlighting and supporting national, state, and local-level food waste reduction policies, and analyzing the impacts of food waste on people and the planet.
Pete Pearson
Vice President, Food – Food Loss and Waste at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Pete Pearson is the Vice President of Food – Food Loss and Waste at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). With a deep commitment to sustainability, Pete works on global initiatives to reduce food loss and waste, a key component in addressing climate change and improving food security. He leads WWF’s efforts to drive systemic change in food systems, engaging with corporations, governments, and communities to develop solutions that reduce environmental impact while promoting responsible consumption. Pete’s work bridges environmental science with practical, scalable solutions to one of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Madeline Keating
Senior Advocate at Natural Resources Defense Council
Madeline Keating works as part of NRDC’s Food & Agriculture team, specializing in food waste reduction. Since joining NRDC in 2016, she has focused on advancing solutions that foster a healthier, more resilient, and equitable food system. As the leader of the Food Matters initiative, she collaborates with cities nationwide to develop innovative food waste reduction policies and programs. She also advocates at the federal and state levels, recognizing the importance of multi-level government solutions. Prior to NRDC, she worked in urban planning, supporting municipal scenario planning and sustainability programs. Keating holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Colorado College and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Colorado. She is based in the Washington, D.C., office.
Lorenzo Macaluso
Chief Growth Officer at CET
Lorenzo Macaluso is the Chief Growth Officer at CET, where he has played a pivotal role since 2000 in advancing cutting-edge sustainability initiatives across New England and beyond. With over two decades of experience in waste diversion, program design, and business sustainability, Lorenzo is a nationally recognized and award-winning expert in waste reduction and energy strategies. A frequent speaker at national conferences and summits, Lorenzo is known for his expertise in integrating sustainability into business operations and public policy.
The post From Waste to Win: How Reducing Wasted Food Benefits Climate & Community appeared first on Center For Health Law and Policy Innovation.