LYDIA G. AINSWORTH

 LYDIA G. AINSWORTH

 Department of Food Science and Technology
 Food Business Management 
 Dublin, OH  

Lydia (Liddie) Ainsworth is a food business management major with minors in business and entrepreneurship and innovation.

Liddie worked as a research assistant with graduate student Jenna McClure, who was studying the effects of soy-based protein on muscle recovery. Liddie helped bake a soy-based pretzel bite each week, attended weekly data collection sessions with multiple participants, and assisted in data analysis. This project connected with her passion for nutrition and exercise, leading her to seek marketing internships to add business acumen.

She found opportunities with Spritz Tea, a local start-up distributing a carbonated tea beverage, and Abbott Nutrition, a well-established company known for baby formula and protein supplements. At Spritz Tea, Liddie learned about consumer marketing in the fast-paced start-up business environment. She developed website and social media content focused on enhancing brand reputation and generating sales. At the Dublin, Ohio Farmers’ Market, she offered free samples to 1000+ people. After her internship was over, she continued working for Spritz Tea about 10 hours a week during the school year. She learned the importance of planning and communication, informing her co-workers if she needed dedicated time for studying. Kathryn Dougherty, former CEO of Spritz Tea said, “Spritz Tea thrived because of Liddie’s tireless work and enthusiasm.”

At Abbott Nutrition, Liddie worked on the Retail Sales Team on a multi-brand promotion aligned with Kroger’s “Food as Medicine” strategy. She learned to analyze data from Kroger’s loyalty program and created a dynamic reporting tool in Microsoft Excel for the team to use to forecast repeat purchase rates. Multiple networking events gave Liddie the chance to meet and talk with sales directors, the vice president, and the president of Abbott Nutrition. She also attended Intern Week in Chicago at the Abbott headquarters with 200+ interns in all disciplines from across the country.

Liddie was also involved in other work, volunteer, and social activities. As a CFAES peer mentor, she connected with three to five first-year or transfer students each year. She attended a weekly recitation with them to answer questions about CFAES, campus, and the Ohio State culture. She found it rewarding to serve as a resource, knowing she had recently been in their shoes. Through part-time work experience at the front desk in the Department of Food Science and Technology, she developed relationships with every student, faculty member, and visitor who walked through the doors of Parker 110. She is also the health and wellness chair for Delta Zeta sorority. She has connected members with resources to promote physical and emotional wellness and organized group fitness classes and outings to healthy local restaurants. Delta Zeta supports the Starkey Hearing Foundation, which educates people on hearing loss and hearing aids, and she has helped raise money to support this foundation.

Liddie has accepted a job with Abbott Nutrition in Columbus in the Retail Development Program, which she will begin following graduation.Service, involvement, and accolades: Newcomb Scholar | Dean’s List