Jennifer Breckner

Director—Programs and Special Projects, The Center for Food and Beverage Leadership, Culinary Institute of America at Copia

Jennifer Breckner is director of programs and special projects at the Culinary Institute of America’s Center for Food & Beverage Leadership, where she leads the creative development and strategic direction of flagship initiatives including Worlds of Flavor, that explore the intersection of food, culture, innovation, and global exchange.

Jennifer approaches public programming as a form of creative authorship, curating multidisciplinary experiences that connect audiences with ideas, culture, and place. Her work brings together chefs, beverage professionals, academics, artists, and thought leaders to create dynamic conversations that deepen understanding of food as an expression of culture, identity, and creativity. She is known for identifying emerging voices, cultivating meaningful collaborations, and designing programs that are intellectually engaging, globally informed, and operationally exceptional.

Her work is also informed by a longstanding commitment to biodiversity, and the cultural traditions that shape what we eat and drink. Through leadership roles with Artisan Grain Collaborative, North American Craft Maltsters Guild, and Slow Food International, she has championed the makers, farmers, and artisans whose work strengthens regional food systems and preserves culinary heritage.

Before joining the CIA, Jennifer spent eleven years leading public programming for the Art Institute of Chicago’s Department of Architecture and Design, where she collaborated cross-functionally with museum teams and leadership, and internationally recognized architects, designers, and cultural leaders to create programs that connected public audiences with contemporary ideas in architecture, design, and the visual arts. (Instagram: @jenniferbreckner)