As part of Seattle University’s MLS in Compliance and Risk Management program, students undertake a capstone project that synthesizes their learning into a comprehensive paper or project, showcasing their competence in compliance. For a detailed overview of the capstone course, see our first article in this series.
Danielle Schafer-Gardner’s capstone project showcased a powerful blend of academic rigor, personal passion, and practical application. Her work focused on an urgent yet often overlooked issue: food allergy safety and compliance in the restaurant industry.
Danielle’s journey into the Seattle MLS program marked a career pivot from marketing and advertising to data privacy and compliance. Her role at Sinclair Digital offered insights into regulatory challenges, but her lived experience as a mother and health advocate shaped her capstone’s focus.
The capstone allowed me to connect academic concepts to real-world solutions,” she explained, emphasizing the universal importance of compliance and risk mitigation. Her unique perspective combined professional expertise with a deep understanding of the human impact of food safety challenges.
Tackling the Food Allergy
Danielle’s project addressed a critical gap: While packaged foods must disclose allergens, restaurants are not federally required to do so. This lack of transparency poses significant risks to individuals with food allergies, with nearly half of fatal reactions occurring in food service establishments. She identified that this gap endangers patrons and creates significant liability risks for businesses, highlighting the need for improved practices.
Using King County, Washington, as a case study, Danielle explored how public health initiatives could improve food allergy safety. King County’s progressive stance on social justice provided an ideal setting for implementing innovative solutions to protect vulnerable populations.
A Dynamic and Practical Solution
Danielle developed an interactive website, “The BOTH Bill (Back of the House),” to engage stakeholders and propose actionable changes. Key recommendations included:
- Menu Notifications: Clear allergen labeling on menus to improve transparency.
- Allergy Awareness Training: Mandatory, accredited training for food service workers to mitigate allergy risk.
- Signage Requirements: Informational signs for both front-of-house and back-of-house staff to enhance awareness and communication.
By combining design thinking with her marketing background, Danielle ensured that her project was accessible, engaging, and impactful. Her approach sought to evoke empathy while driving tangible change within the industry.
Bridging Academia and Real World Advocacy
Danielle’s capstone experience bridged academic coursework and real-world impact. Inspired by a Corporate Compliance and Ethics course, she transitioned from identifying food allergy compliance issues to crafting practical solutions.
Her project also led to significant advocacy opportunities. Through a connection with Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), Danielle collaborated with national experts and engaged in legislative discussions on Capitol Hill. She contributed to Senate Bill 121 (the Aden Act) and participated in high-level discussions with the FDA and leading food allergy researchers. These experiences reinforced the importance of her work and showcased the potential for local projects to drive national change.
Local and State-Level Impact
Danielle’s work gained traction at both local and state levels. She engaged King County representatives and the Department of Health, which adopted her toolkit to support statewide compliance efforts. This rare collaboration highlighted the practical value of her project as a flexible guide for improving food safety. Her proactive outreach also inspired conversations about incorporating similar measures into regional public health policies.
Lessons for Prospective Students
Danielle’s journey underscores the transformative potential of compliance-focused education. Her advice to prospective students is: “You can do anything.” She created a meaningful, real-world impact by leveraging the skills and tools she gained through the program.
Her story highlights how foundational coursework can evolve into innovative solutions, demonstrating the program’s ability to prepare students for complex, interdisciplinary challenges.
Imagining the Future of Food Safety
Danielle’s work sparked discussions about broader industry changes, such as standardizing menu symbols for allergens. These efforts emphasize the importance of empowering restaurants with clear guidelines to reduce risks while balancing the needs of small businesses. Her emphasis on practical, scalable solutions showcases how regulatory improvements can enhance safety without creating undue burdens.
Danielle Schaefer-Gardner’s capstone illustrates how academic research can evolve into real-world advocacy. Her work continues influencing local and state-level initiatives as a model for impactful, compliance-driven solutions. She set a powerful example of how education can inspire meaningful change by addressing a pressing public health challenge with creativity and compassion.
