Meet the FS6 Team
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David LeZaks, Ph.D., Co-Managing DirectorDavid LeZaks, Ph.D. is the Managing Director of Food System 6. He is an environmental scientist and financial activist whose work is centered around developing innovative mechanisms for financing the transition to regenerative farming and food systems. David completed his Ph.D. in Environment and Resources and an M.S. in Land Resources at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He is based in Madison, Wisconsin, where he is active in a number of community organizations and spends his spare time gardening and participating in a variety of silent sports.
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Lauren Manning, Esq., LL.M., Co-Managing DirectorLauren Manning, Esq., LL.M., is an attorney, law professor, and farmer. Before her current role, Lauren was a venture capital investor with food and ag-focused VC firm AgFunder. Lauren began with AgFunder in 2015 as part of AgFunderNews media and research team reporting on issues involving finance, agriculture, climate change, and more. From 2019 to 2021, Lauren supported the Sacred Cow documentary and book project discussing the nutritional, environmental, and ethical case for (better) meat production. At the University of Arkansas, Lauren serves as an adjunct law professor across multiple departments teaching courses on farm animal welfare, food safety, farm succession planning, agricultural cooperatives and local food systems, and more. Lauren raised grass-finished beef, lamb, and goat meat in NW Arkansas for eight years. In 2023, the Regenerative Food Systems Investment (RFSI) Forum recognized her as one of 15 Women Leading Investment in Regenerative Food Systems.
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