Julie Kunen’s passion for sustainability began with her Ph.D. studies in archaeology, focusing on ancient Mayan agriculture. She held roles in academia, government, non-profit, and consulting before joining Oatly at the end of 2020. As Director of Sustainability for Oatly North America, she is responsible for execution of the company’s global sustainability priorities in the region and spearheading new sustainability initiatives and partnerships. Dr. Kunen served as the forestry and natural resources advisor for Latin America at the US Agency for International Development and then served as chief of staff of the policy bureau, leading development of USAID’s first climate change and development strategy. She later moved into executive management of conservation portfolios as Vice President of the Americas for the Wildlife Conservation Society, where she led efforts to promote conservation through cuisine. After leaving WCS, she founded Passiflora Consulting, a business consultancy supporting sustainable gastronomy. Before joining Oatly, Dr. Kunen spent 4 months as a farmhand on an organic vegetable farm in northern Montana. Dr. Kunen is a published author on topics at the nexus of food, culture, and the environment, a Fellow of The Explorer’s Club, and an advisor to the CIA’s masters’ program in sustainable food systems.