CMHT Symposia: Transformational Leadership in Sustainable Food and Fiber

A passionate advocate for “doing the right thing,” Lewis Perkins is the President of the Apparel Impact Institute (AII), an organization launched by leading brands and apparel sector industry associations to identify, fund, and scale programs to drive positive impact in the fashion sector.

Previous to this Perkins was President of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute(C2CPII) where he launched the Institute’s Fashion Positive initiative, which engages designers, manufacturers, brands and influencers in creating Cradle to Cradle Certified TM materials and products with the circular economy in mind. Prior to joining the C2CPII, Perkins led sustainability for The Mohawk Group and consulted with corporations and organizations on their social and environmental programs. He has served as an Ashoka and Laudes Foundation Strategy Thought Partner, a member of the H&M Global Change Award Expert Panel, and a Design Mentor for both the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America), as well as the IDEO & Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy “Circular Design Competition.” Perkins has also been a participant of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Consumption. Perkins holds a Master of Business Administration with a focus on social responsibility from Goizueta Business School at Emory University and a Bachelor of Arts from Washington & Lee University. In 2018, he was recognized by his undergraduate alma mater, with the Distinguished Alumni award.

Dr. Connors is an Associate Professor at the University of North Texas with expertise in consumer food behaviors and nutrition education. Her projects have been funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Culinary Institute of America, and National Dairy Council. She is experienced in survey research and field methods including observational studies, focus groups, and face-to-face interviews.

Currently Dr. Connors is a Co-PI on a USDA funded project (2023-2027) building leadership in food and fiber industries among first generation students from underrepresented groups. She was Principal Investigator (PI) on a NCBA grant (2023-2024) concerning main dishes in school meals, and Principal Investigator on a CIA grant (2025) exploring student perceptions of plant-based meals. On a previous USDA (2010-2012) Dr. Connors directed a multidisciplinary team researching behavioral economics in school meals programs. Results of her work have been presented at Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, School Nutrition Association, American Society of Nutrition, and National Nutrient Databank Conferences.  Her presentation at the Leadership Symposium focused on food waste.