Let your actions be guided by a deeper mission to create impact.
Protein Diversification Academy
We’re a non-profit association of young professionals, dedicated to educating the next generation of change-makers about protein diversification and enabling them to drive the transition to a sustainable food system.
Our Vision
Enabling the transformation to a sustainable food system of the future
Our Mission
At the Protein Diversification Academy, we are on a mission to bridge the education gap in Protein Diversification, ultimately contributing to a more compassionate and evidence-based food system.
Our Values
Act with purpose
Own our impact
Take collective responsibility for our mission and outcomes.
Embody a systems approach
Understand and act on the big picture of food and society.
Our Team
Meet the passionate experts and educators driving our mission forward.
Georgia Desideri-Zagante
Education Working Group
Ravi Audichya
Vice-Secretary
Adrian Hirt
Education Working Group
Alexandra Palomeque
Education Working Group
Anne Reshetnyak
Communication Working Group Coordinator
Arianna Karina Pirela
Education Working Group
Paul Steinhardt
External Relations Working Group
Pawan Kumar Shakya
Education Working Group
Pericle Raverta
Secretary-General
Ananya Gupta
External Relations Working Group Coordinator
Tin Rudnicki
Treasurer
Our Advisors
Guided by industry leaders and visionary thinkers who help shape our strategic direction.
Mathilde Do Chi
CEO of Forward Food Law
Nathan Ahlgrim
Senior Academic Community Manager at the Good Food Institute
Pamela Pokorny
Programme Manager at the Digital Learning Unit of EIT Food
Will Saunter
Co-Founder of BlueDot Impact
Our Partners
AltProtein.Jobs is the leading talent platform for the alternative protein sector. Its mission is to support career development and workforce growth in protein diversification. In 2024, APJ facilitated over 200 successful role placements.
Our Story
The Protein Diversification Academy (PDA) is an educational association dedicated to closing the knowledge gap in the areas of protein diversification and future food systems.
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April 2022 — The Idea Takes Root
The Association was founded under GFI’s Alt Protein Project to connect students across EIT Food’s Master in Food System Consortium Universities and spark innovation in alternative proteins.
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2023 — Growing momentum
Expanded the groups activities across education and advocacy across touching 6 universities with 49 active members
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March 2024 — First Grant
Awarded the Young Professional Platform grant by EIT Food to strengthen European collaborations.
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April 2024 — Education at the Core
Took over the management of the Alternative Proteins Fundamentals Programme (APFP) from BlueDot Impact.
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January-June 2025 — Becoming the PDA
Rebranded as The “Protein Diversification Academy” (PDA). With APFP at its centre, a new larger educational pathway called The “Protein Diversification Learning Pathway” (PDLP) was strategised to reach learners beyond universities and other institutions.
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June 2025 — Recognition by EIT
APFP received the prestigious EIT Label for non-degree programmes.
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October 2025 — New APFP Edition
Launch of the renewed APFP, with further levels of the PDLP in development.