Ep. 97. Wendy White: Making the Most of Virtual Training

Wendy White is the Industry Manager for Food and Beverage for Georgia Tech’s Georgia Manufacturing Extension Program (GaMEP). She serves as GaMEP’s food safety expert to Georgia food businesses by providing educational outreach and aiding the improvement of food safety and quality systems.  Before joining academia in 2019, Wendy spent the first 17 years of her career in food manufacturing and distribution, most recently as a Corporate Director of Food Safety & Quality for Golden State Foods.

Wendy received her BS in Biology at the University of Georgia and stayed to complete her MS in Food Science under the tutelage of Dr. Larry Beuchat.

She has been a member of the IAFP since 2001 and has been deeply involved with many Professional Development Groups over the years.  In 2011, she was honored to receive the IAFP President’s Recognition Award from Dr. Lee-Ann Jakus.

Wendy has presented at many industry conferences over the years and has published articles in the Journal of Food Protection and Food Safety Magazine, among others.  She currently serves on the Editorial Board of Food Safety Magazine and is a previous member of the BRCGS International Advisory Board. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Wendy about [6:46]:

• The role of the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership in professional education
• The educational opportunities that are offered
• Customized training
• Playing the matchmaker of educational resources
• Transitioning from corporate America to academia
• Shifting from in-person instruction to virtual
• Advantages and disadvantages of virtual training
• How to boost student engagement
• Lessons learned about virtual training
• Honing one’s teaching approach
• Using personal stories as teachable moments
• In-class brainstorming
• How virtual extends training globally and enhances global communication
• Training after the pandemic

News and Resources: Cornell Scientists Discover Five Unknown Species to Listeria Genus [2:02] FDA Launches Traceability Challenge [4:05]

We Want to Hear from You!

Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@foodsafetymagazine.com