Advisory Board

Maria J. Bustamante is a PhD Candidate at the Department of Marketing and Strategy at the Stockholm School of Economics. As a former farm girl turned urbanite, Maria is combining her personal experience in farming and professional experience in regional economic development, technology and entrepreneurship to research how new technology and innovation is creating alternative forms and practices of agricultural production. Her research explores how both incumbent and start-up firms are managing the challenges of implementing these technologies within a broader agricultural system as they seek to reach both economic and environmental goals.

Weslynne Ashton is an Associate Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology with joint appointments at the Stuart School of Business and the Institute of Design. Dr. Ashton is a sustainable systems scientist, whose research, teaching and practice are oriented around transitioning our socio-ecological systems towards sustainability and equity. Her research is grounded in industrial ecology, organizational management and systems design. Her current work in urban food systems include mapping and assessing food production, distribution and consumption in the Chicago region with a goal of advancing opportunities for entrepreneurship, well-being and sustainable economic development in Black and Brown communities, and developing standards for sustainability in controlled environment agriculture. Here you can read more about her research. External link, opens in new window.