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Hilary Keates | Duke's Fuqua School of Business
A headshot photo of Hilary

MBA '96

Chief Marketing Officer
Divert

1. Where has life taken you since graduating from Fuqua?
Since my years at Fuqua, I’ve worked on global brands, collaborated with many accomplished professionals, and experienced diverse cultures in locations across the world. From brand management at Gillette to marketing at Upromise, Welch’s, Procter & Gamble, and New Balance, I’ve had the opportunity to learn and work with some of the best. In 2017, I was able to combine my love of marketing and my passion for the environment at Indigo Agriculture, a climate technology start-up, and have continued in this space today as chief marketing officer for Divert, an impact technology company.

 

2. What is Divert’s mission, and what do you appreciate most about contributing to that goal as the chief marketing officer?
Divert is on a mission to protect the value of food by eliminating wasted food. Our company, our customers, and our partners are doing the hard work to make a difference. Being able to bring their stories to life and remind people about the impact of wasted food is so gratifying. Today, wasted food contributes 8% - 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and 30% - 40% of the food we waste happens right in our own homes. I believe that educating people about the impact of wasted food will change behavior. That’s what I’m working towards. 

 

3. How did your time at Fuqua support your interest in sustainability and environmental impact work?
At Fuqua, I learned the importance of making an impact, be it impact on the community, impact on your classmates, or impact on our planet. Fuqua instilled the value of making a difference and provided us with the tools to do that in the future.

 

4. As a member of the Thomas F. Keller Leadership Donor Society, what areas of support are you most passionate about?
I believe Fuqua is the best place to develop leadership skills, and it doesn’t happen without enrolling the best and the brightest students via scholarships and by supporting our faculty’s research. Through my membership in the Thomas F. Keller Leadership Donor Society, I can help Fuqua remain the best-in-class business school and give others the amazing opportunity and experience that I had.

 

5. According to Divert, a third of all produced food is wasted. What’s one thing that a person or business can do to prevent food waste?
We all have a personal responsibility to eliminate wasted food, and there are many easy steps that you can take. Reducing waste at home starts with how you shop. Make a meal plan before you head to the store. Sticking with the plan is good for the earth and good for your budget. Don’t buy what you don’t need. That five-pack of bell peppers is only a good deal if you use them all. If possible, buy only what you need for the next few days. Shopping more often means you get to enjoy your food at its freshest, and you’re less likely to forget those strawberries in the back of the fridge.

 

6. What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?
Follow your passion, and you will always succeed. Work won’t feel like work when you are doing something that matters to you. I feel fortunate to have worked in industries where my passion drove my excitement to be at work every day.