Dr. Sadaf Mollaei is the Arrell Chair in the Business of Food and an Assistant Professor in the School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management at the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics. Dr. Mollaei also holds an Adjunct Assistant Professor position in the School of Environment, Enterprise, and Development at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Mollaei holds a PhD and MES in Sustainability Management from the University of Waterloo, and an MBA in marketing, where her research focused on the branding of food businesses. She also has over six years of managerial experience in the food service industry.

Sadaf’s research focuses on promoting sustainable food systems, with a particular emphasis on sustainable eating behaviours and food businesses. She conducts both qualitative and quantitative research at the intersection of sustainability, marketing, and public health and is particularly interested in studying the promotion of sustainability through interventions and sustainable marketing, especially among critical sub-group populations such as young adults and children.

Sadaf uses her interdisciplinary background, including civil engineering, marketing, and sustainability management, to bridge concepts and insights from diverse research domains to create research that leverages academia and is focused on performance and outcomes, with real-world impact. Through practical and evidence-based research, Dr. Mollaei seeks to examine and better understand the current landscape of food businesses and food environments. She aims to help identify and inform solutions and policies that enhance both business performance and sustainability practices.