Originally published on RICE CBHE (June 2022)
Unlike many students who decide to major in chemical engineering, Venmathy McMahan knew she wasn’t interested in pursuing a career in oil and gas. She minored in environmental engineering.
“I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted my impact on the world to be, but I knew I wanted to make a positive contribution,” said McMahan, who today has two full-time, cross-continental jobs in food-related industries.
In her other role, McMahan helps food industries achieve sustainability goals as a platform manager for Footprint, a company based in Gilbert, Ariz. “Supermarkets and quick service restaurants are where consumers often encounter the most single-use plastics. We help companies transition to fiber solutions that reduce plastic waste,” she said.
Footprint was recognized in 2021 as a CNBC Disruptor 50 and is expected to become a publicly listed company this year. “I love working at Footprint,” McMahan said, “because I get to make products that have a positive impact on the planet and provide competitive alternatives to single-use plastics.”
Read the full article on CHBE.RICE.edu