My entire career is centered on this issue. Between 2002 and 2010, I led education and advocacy efforts for organizations promoting more plant-based eating. This included: a) studying and using consumer education tools (leafleting, events, videos, online/tv/print advertising, free plant-based food distribution, etc); b) corporate policy advocacy; and c) government policy advocacy. In 2010, I left the nonprofit field because after studying consumer psychology extensively, I determined that I could be more effective in moving people towards plant-based eating by marketing delicious foods than by educating on the broader issue. I founded and am still the CEO of the world’s only brand management and marketing agency exclusively focused on plant-based CPG companies. We have launched dozens of food businesses from pre-revenue to national success and have been the agency of record for the world’s largest meat alternative company (Gardein) and the world’s largest non-dairy cheese company (Daiya). We have led primary qualitative consumer research efforts, which has led us to messaging or positioning pivots for our brands with great success. In 2016, we launched our first food company out of our own portfolio, so I am now also co-owner and CEO of Ocean Hugger Foods, a plant-based seafood alternative company launching in foodservice locations throughout the US, Mexico and Canada. I’m by no means an expert in a wide swath of areas, but I am 100% confident that I am one of (if not the) most appropriate person for a panel that focuses on plant-based diets, consumer psychology and behavior, marketing, consumer products, etc.

I have been working in Research & Development in North American Food Industry for over 8 years and have worked with different sweeteners ranging from Natural sugars, stevia, monk fruit, honey, molasses, coconut sugar to other artificial sweeteners. My expertise is in Dairy Foods which are very sensitive and vulnerable when it comes to taste on addition of sweeteners. I believe my input would be valuable

I work with a multinational food ingredient company with emphasis on sustainable plant proteins. I personally have become a flexitarian in my own lifestyle.

I am a food industry expert, with over 20 years in food innovation and technical roles, and now director co-owner of a specialist food innovation management and technology scouting company, the Aurora Ceres Partnership Ltd (ACP). At ACP I utilise my food innovation expertise to identify new and emerging food technology solutions for a number of the worlds largest food and beverage companies. I also sit on a number of technical advisory boards, and provide insight and expertise on a range of topics.

Managing a profitable global portfolio of bioactive ingredients