This discussion will bring together experts from the solution supplier, food/dairy producer, and engineering worlds to explore how to dive into your production processes and uncover the (often hidden) levers that can significantly improve sustainability, productivity, and profitability. This conversation is not Scope 3–focused.  Instead, it zeroes in on the operational heart of manufacturing, where meaningful and measurable improvements are often found.

Moderated by Sheldon Young, this session will guide attendees through how to truly understand their production processes, identify opportunities within the four walls of the plant, and map out the full business value of sustainability-driven improvements.

Panelists will share actionable insights on what to look for, how to quantify potential impact, which partners or stakeholders to involve, and how to frame a compelling business case that resonates with leadership by connecting sustainability initiatives directly to ROI and operational performance. The panel will be intentionally diverse to ensure relevance and applicability across FPSA’s broad member base.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Identify sustainability opportunities within production that also deliver tangible business value.

• Quantify the impact of these opportunities and determine the right partners to engage.

• Build a clear, compelling story that helps leadership understand ROI and champion sustainability-focused improvements.

Speakers:

 

Jennifer Brentano

Director of Manufacturing Sustainability

Dairy Farmers of America

Jennifer earned a degree in Food Science from Kansas State University and began her career in bakery plants, where she spent over 13 years managing quality assurance and food safety. She joined DFA to oversee regulatory and customer specifications, later moving into supply and operations planning.

For eight years, Jennifer led DFA’s Project Management Office, driving strategic initiatives across the organization. In 2024, she stepped into her current role as Director of Manufacturing Sustainability, where she oversees sustainability efforts across DFA’s 82 manufacturing plants. Her responsibilities include sustainability reporting, setting goals, meeting customer requirements, securing grant funding, and managing extended producer responsibility regulations.

Brad Munchel 

Engineering Manager

Rodem – Smart Sanitary Processes

Brad Munchel joined the Rodem team in 2022 as the Engineering Manager. He is responsible for leading the strategic direction and daily execution of the Engineering team based out of Rodem’s Ohio headquarters. With a strong foundation in process engineering and manufacturing operations, Brad brings extensive experience to Rodem’s niche customer base. Before joining Rodem, he spent the majority of his career in food and chemical manufacturing. He held various operations and engineering roles at notable companies, including Danisco Sweeteners, Givaudan Flavors, and Owens Corning Roofing. This background provides him with deep, real-world insight into the challenges customers face in compliance, efficiency, and scale.

Sheldon Young, Moderator

Sustainability Solutions Specialist - Food and Water Division

Alfa Laval 

Sheldon Young is a Sustainability Solutions Specialist at Alfa Laval. He has worked with manufacturing processes for much of his 29-year career, solving tough engineering challenges using creative and sustainable technical solutions. He currently engages the Food, Beverage, and Pharma industries by making sustainable process goals a reality. Mr Young has a Mechanical Engineering Degree from the University of Maine and an MBA from UVA’s Darden School of Business.