Impactful work overshadowed by toxic management culture
Pros
There is a strong sense of purpose, with the opportunity to work on impactful projects that contribute to food-system transformation. Many colleagues, especially outside senior management, are supportive, collaborative, and genuinely enjoyable to work with.
Cons
The downside is that management can be very toxic and ego-driven, with a lot of credit-taking from senior people. Decisions often seem driven by what leadership wants the mission to be, rather than what the mission actually needs. Promotions can feel based on favoritism rather than merit or skills, and you may end up with a manager who is not actually competent for the role. There is also very little transparency, the structure is extremely hierarchical, and many people leave feeling burned out because of how they are treated.
