Lauren Branson

Lauren Branson is an Australian ecologist and entrepreneur dedicated to transforming food systems towards sustainability and regeneration. She co-founded Your Food Collective in 2015 alongside her cousin, Cara Cooper, to connect consumers with locally sourced, sustainably produced food. Serving as CEO, Lauren has been instrumental in promoting regenerative farming practices and reducing food miles, ensuring that 95% of produce is sourced within 250 kilometers of consumers' homes.

Under her leadership, Your Food Collective has experienced significant growth, completing over 50,000 online orders and assisting more than 15,000 households in reducing their carbon emissions. The platform collaborates with over 100 local producers, offering a diverse range of products from seasonal produce to meat and dairy.

Lauren's academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Biodiversity and Conservation and a Master of Science with Honours, focusing on ant assemblages in Northern Australia, both from Macquarie University. Her professional experience spans roles such as Technical Officer at the Australian Museum, Project Officer at Parks and Leisure Australia, and Senior Ecologist at URS Corporation, where she managed conservation projects and collaborated with environmental organizations.

In 2022, Lauren became the Chief Executive Officer of Calyx.eco, a SaaS platform that measures the ecological impact of food products and encourages sustainable practices. Her expertise in ecosystem conservation, regenerative food systems, and biodiversity continues to drive systems change for a decarbonized and sustainable future.

Lauren's work has been recognized in various publications, highlighting her commitment to using food as a vehicle for environmental and social change. Your Food Collective was awarded the Smart50 Eco Warrior Award in 2021, reflecting the company's dedication to building a sustainable food supply chain.