Senior Research and Development Manager / June, 2025 — Present

Leading the R&D pipeline strategy for a companion animal nutrition company targeting bold revenue growth by 2030. Driving innovation across supplements and functional nutrition while bridging the gap between consumer insights and commercial-ready products. • Introduced a new R&D strategy framework that improved development accuracy and accelerated time-to-launch • Coaching and directing the R&D team, improving cross-training coverage and eliminating project bottlenecks • Partnered with Operations and Quality to improve production run consistency and reduce material losses • Strengthened regulatory readiness across FDA, USDA, AAFCO, FSMA, and GFSI standards, reducing risk of compliance-related delays • Collaborating with Marketing and Sales to translate consumer trends into actionable product concepts

R&D Consultant/Director of R&D / February, 2025 — June, 2025

Engaged on a high-impact 4-month consulting assignment to drive formulation innovation, optimize existing products, and ensure commercialization excellence for a food manufacturer. • Developed innovative formulations aligned with emerging market and consumer trends • Evaluated and recommended ingredient solutions to improve functionality, cost efficiency, and clean label compliance • Delivered market analysis on competitive trends and new product opportunities • Provided food safety guidance integrated into ongoing development workflows

Technical Service Manager & Research & Development / February, 2024 — February, 2025

Served as the lead technical expert for dairy stabilizer systems, bridging R&D and commercial sales by delivering application support, in-plant troubleshooting, and customer-facing technical training. • Analyzed complex technical challenges and delivered targeted solutions to drive customer sales growth • Conducted plant trials and in-plant troubleshooting to resolve processing issues at customer facilities • Delivered customized technical training to key R&D and Operations contacts at strategic accounts • Collaborated closely with internal R&D to define project scope and deliver technically focused support

Technical Developer / July, 2019 — October, 2023

Managed technical category development for the Americas Region across confectionery, baking, and savory segments. Served as global digital platform lead for the Roquette Innovation Hub, and provided direct R&D support to major CPG clients across a broad ingredient portfolio. • Led technical support for plant proteins, fiber, starches, polyols, dextrins, and sugar replacements across global CPG accounts • Managed the e-commerce platform, unlocking new revenue opportunities with entrepreneurial and start-up businesses • Resolved technical challenges at customer sites to accelerate development timelines and improve in-market product performance • Built and managed technical relationships with start-ups, incubators, accelerators, and contract development labs • Developed trend-based digital content to support launch of a new customer-facing innovation resource

Associate Principal Scientist - Global Grains & Breakthrough Innovation / September, 2012 — June, 2019

Project Lead for Global Innovation and Core Business Transformation within PepsiCo's Quaker R&D division. Managed cross-functional teams through a rigorous Technical Stage Gate process and built a new product roadmap spanning ingredients, packaging, health compliance, and processing. •Launched 25+ innovation products generating $100M+ in incremental revenue for PepsiCo's Nutrition Category •Pioneered oat-based plant protein development, optimizing PDCAAS levels through ingredient synergies and blending •Commercialized better-for-you products addressing reduced added sugars, lower fat, prebiotics, probiotics, and sustained energy •Won the 2015 PepsiCo Academy of Science Award for a proprietary oat flake used in protein-fortified hot cereal •Chaired the HSE function for the Barrington office and led PepsiCo North America R&D Nutrition Community (250+ personnel), championing cultural diversity and inclusion •Led a University of Illinois Research Apprenticeship Program, mentoring high school students through 8-week technical projects annually

Senior Food Scientist / April, 2010 — March, 2012

Project Manager for the Fisher Nuts Innovation Pipeline. Developed and delivered corporate processes for innovation pipeline management and consumer research planning, while leading new product creation for the Fisher Brand. •Developed innovative nut-based snack formulas leveraging underutilized extrusion assets, identifying equipment needs in collaboration with manufacturers •Oversaw product innovation exploration and presented platform concepts to executive leadership and key stakeholders •Successfully integrated the Orchard Valley Harvest acquisition — including formula consolidation, process improvement, packaging consolidation, and commercialization with cost containment focus •Developed 36 products within 3 months for the Orchard Valley Harvest brand redesign

Food Scientist / June, 2007 — April, 2010

Lead developer on a high-priority, fast-track project delivering 4 new California Pizza Kitchen frozen pizzas exclusively for Walmart — from project kick-off to shelf in just 4 months. Drove margin improvement and process innovation across the Kraft Pizza Company. •Delivered $3M+ in margin savings through ingredient and process improvements, including Vital Wheat Gluten optimization •Generated an additional $2M in savings through process innovations including online in-process cheese shredding and crust development, while eliminating methylcellulose from the process •Led operations support and process improvements across frozen technology platforms •Managed a high-urgency Walmart In/Out program under aggressive timelines with zero compromises on quality

Food Scientist/Engineer / June, 2004 — June, 2007

Lead scientist for frozen and retort product development. Project Manager for the re-launch of the frozen soup portfolio, and key contributor to a cross-business ingredient simplification initiative with enterprise-wide cost impact. •Saved $12M+ over 2 years through an ingredient complexity reduction initiative spanning Unilever Retail, Foodsolutions, and additional business units •Validated a new production line for the Retort business, ensuring full compliance with Process Authority guidelines •Developed 40+ new products in collaboration with culinary and Quick Serve Restaurant partners •Developed 5 new products and reformulated all Knorr Brand soup and sauce bases in partnership with the corporate executive chef •Created SOPs for all pilot plant equipment in collaboration with the engineering team

Food Scientist / September, 2003 — June, 2004

Restaurant Manager / September, 2002 — September, 2003

Product Developer / March, 2002 — September, 2002