Leadership in Sustainable Food and Fashion: A Summer Workshop

Erin Donovan, PhD. and founder of Fuel Training Consultants, is a learning and organizational design leader. With experience in retail, logistics, tech, manufacturing, education, and agriculture she focuses her corporate success on building and facilitating measured growth strategies grounded in her practical and academic experience. Erin also is the owner of Emerald Farm and Fibers, a sustainable fiber farm in Townville, South Carolina.

What to expect: Erin will help students explore foundational elements of leadership by exploring their personal mission, vision and purpose. Using themes of sustainability in farm, food and fashion, participants will work in teams to tackle a real-world problem that demands creativity, collaboration and leadership.

Peter Balabuch, Executive Director of UNT Dining Services, is a home-grown success. From dishwasher to chef, Peter has served in nearly every role within UNT Dining Services. This ground-up perspective fuels his innovative leadership approach. Under Peter’s leadership, UNT Dining Services has emerged as a trailblazer in sustainable dining practices. In 2024, the program's excellence was recognized with three prestigious Grand Prize awards from the National Association of Colleges and Universities Food Services (NACUFS). Adding to these accolades, UNT has maintained its position on niche.com as the top-ranked college dining program in Texas for three consecutive years, solidifying its reputation for exceptional campus dining experiences.

What to expect:  From seeding greens at the innovative hydroponic garden to crafting delicious ice cream and exploring the art of pastry making at the renowned Clark Bakery, this session blends culinary education with hands-on experiences. Students will enjoy the vibrant energy of a college campus with a visit to the popular Bruce Dining Hall and gain a deeper understanding of sustainability and making conscious food choices.

Shelley Christner is a dreamer, forager, community encourager, instigator of creativity, maker of things for heart and home and a lover of all things cozy, she also is the founder The DIME (Denton Independent Maker Exchange) Store. After passing the leadership of DIME in 2021, she has pursued her love of the beauty of nature through foraging color and creating processes and products that display its power to inspire and sustain.

What to expect: Students will explore the 'COLOR POWER' that plants and flowers have as they bundle-dye Texas grown organic cotton socks with a variety of flowers foraged from local organic gardens. Students will leave with a wealth of knowledge about natural dye and a new pair of hand dyed socks!

Savannah Kurka is the artist behind Savvie Studio and the Workshop Coordinator for The Dime Store in Denton, Texas. She holds a BFA from the University of North Texas and is passionate about sharing the joy of art-making with others. Savannah believes that working creatively with one’s hands is not only therapeutic but also an empowering way to connect with oneself and the world.

What to expect: Savannah will highlight how local communities can contribute to a more sustainable future using the DIME store retail space as a launchpad.

Tobi Smith, entrepreneur, dream seeker, and foodie, was recognized as Forbes 30 Under 30, for his meal delivery service, Adun. Craving food from his home in Nigeria, Tobi first started local before going global with his sustainably-packaged food and beverage boxes. 

What to expect: Tobi will share how to lead with purpose and passion when chasing your dreams and caring for your team. Students will enjoy the flavors of Nigeria with some spicy product tasting.