Please share a little about yourself and your role at DSM.
My life has always centered around agriculture: I grew up on a livestock farm in Lancaster, PA, then went on to study animal science at Penn State. I moved throughout the Midwest with a biotech company specializing in seed genetics and crop protection products, and I am now based in Europe with DSM. At dsm-firmenich, I provide direction on the global strategy of our Performance Solutions business, clarifying where we want to be as a feed additive company and how we plan to get there.
What was your main motivation for volunteering with PFS?
I have always been passionate about global food security around the world. After learning about PFS — specifically its work helping food companies in Africa provide communities with safe, highquality food — it became clear that this was an organization I wanted to partner with.
Describe your volunteer experience as a Client Lead.
I am a Client Lead for a company called NatureRipe Kilimanjaro Ltd in Tanzania. As a Client Lead, I am currently supporting the company by overseeing two projects: fruit sauces product improvement project and a cashew snack bar modification project. In my role, I make sure we understand how to best utilize everyone’s knowledge, experience, and insights, and are able to implement them to solve the client’s needs.
What is your favorite part of volunteering?
Volunteering is an incredible way to connect across various industries and functions for a common goal – helping your client succeed. I am amazed at the resourcefulness of both the client and the volunteer teams, and their ability to solve any problems that arise by utilizing industry contacts where needed to find solutions.
What skills have you honed or developed while volunteering with PFS?
I have improved my cross-cultural communication skills. With the majority of our team based outside of the US, I’ve developed the ability to navigate differences in cultural norms and expectations as well as different languages. This has proved beneficial to my everyday life, being newly integrated into a different culture and language in Austria, and with the effective communication needed across our global business.
What would you say to someone who is interested in volunteering, but hesitant to start?
There is no greater way to find fulfillment and enrichment from your knowledge base than to apply it to organizations that are building a better tomorrow. In addition, the PFS team provides a turnkey approach to volunteering, so there is no reason to be intimidated by the process or time management aspects of the partnership.