President / July, 2023 — Present

Serving multiple clients (startups to large CPG) on technical troubleshooting at the ideation benchtop and manufacturing phases of product development cost-out shelf-life and achievement of sustainability goals

Vice President Research and Development / March, 2021 — June, 2023

As the first full-time hire instrumental in developing company culture missionvisionvalues statements strategic commercialization plan and as CEOs initial right hand hiring other departmental roles including COO and CMO. Prepared Board book materials and presented at quarterly Board meetings; represented ISH in all technical due diligence meetings with potential investors through multiple funding rounds. Collaborated with the VP of Sustainability to achieve B Corp Certification establish a supply chain with small-scale regenerative farmers and seek new crops for both nutritional value and to avoid monoculture agriculture. Converted home kitchen into lab during COVID lockdown; launched flagship Shrimpish product while overcoming numerous technical challenges. Led all relevant labeling quality shelf-life website FAQ cooking validation etc. Developed and troubleshooted 16 SKUs (unique formulas like Shrimpish SalmonishTM Burgers and CrabishTM Cakes) partly developed 10 SKUs for the 3-yr pipeline and fully commercialized 8 SKUs in only 2 years with limited OperationsEngineering support and a bootstrap budget. Pivoted quickly to reformulate both formulas and labels to capitalize on opportunities in European and Asian markets; navigated related importexport Foreign Business Operator and international regulatory challenges. Secured commercial office space within budget negotiated lease terms and outfitted RD lab. Co-developed international supply chain in post-COVID environment (ingredientsmanufacturingsales). Oversaw team of 21 through 3rd-party partnerships and chefs that I hired to realize a foundational RD program to enable faster ideation-to-project-launch timelines to support the 3-year pipeline which I co-developed. Directed IP portfolio management; negotiated and execute NDAs commercial development agreements etc. Balanced benchtop development with up to 40% travel while launching products vetting new co-mans scouting new automation technologies and working with 3rd-party partners in person. Led search and trials for new equipment to automate and streamline production throughout scaleup; oversaw CAD designs for forming; grew into companys sole processing engineer. Scouted additional co-mans for new and existing products assessed capabilities and strategic fit and involved with co-man contracts; also onboarded 3PL for D2C fulfillment of sales and samples. Developed ingredient nutrition sustainability screener and prototyped a commercial SaaS tool with AI integration for both internal and external use

Manager Sr. Manager Research Research and Innovation / November, 2017 — March, 2021

Built research functioncreateddirected ingredient packaging processing shelf life and nutrition research across companys global bar (Adult Kids Layers and TIG) nut butter oat cup and pipeline innovation (300MM total) often by leveraging Design Thinking tools; introduced Research Innovation Time. Hired managed and grew 5 direct reports and 3 sub reports in projects addressing current technical challenges and future white space to unlock future innovation achieve continuous improvement and grow the bottom line. Created Sensory functionstandardized methods established a panel for formal reviews trained cross-functional stakeholders on best practices synced strategy with Consumer Insights and managednegotiated 3rd-party contracts. Led RI in first company-wide cost-out committee overdelivering 5MM savings target by 40% in first year via packaging reduction pallet optimization alternate supplier approval and invisible reformulation. Directed RI commercialization of new product platform (bars and nut butters in multiple flavors) to deliver top-line growth across multiple B2B and B2C channels and developed platform strategy for future launches. Invested in startup ingredient for novel food applications in untapped categories; supported analysis and scale-up

Senior Scientist Breakthrough Innovation / May, 2014 — November, 2017

Balanced aggressive timelines and tight budgets while filling the innovation pipeline for natural and processed cheese plant-based foods nuts desserts refrigerated soups and sides and frozen meals. Scouted new technology to reduce thermal degradation in ready-to-eat meals thereby producing crisper vegetables enabling use of meats without phosphates and eliminating artificial preservatives. Protected innovations through trade secrets and multiple IDFs including one patent enabling the removal of EDTA (a synthetic preservative) without compromising sensory properties. Engaged in global knowledge transfers to rapidly advance best practices and research within the entire company

Scientist Lipids Subject Matter Expert Central Research / May, 2014 — November, 2017

Led research initiatives cost reduction and saturated fat reduction across entire company product portfolio especially peanuts mayo dressings and processed cheese; enabled 5MM cost savings in global processed cheese alone and supported trends for consumer health. Reduced Planters Peanuts customer flavor complaints by 18% by improving spent oil cleaningrecycling process. Discovered and resolved root cause of oil oxidation that halted production at primary mayo plant for 2 weeks during peak season jeopardizing a 500MM business; proposed alternate biodiesel disposal to recoup greater costs

Graduate (Ph.D.) Research Assistant / September, 2010 — May, 2014

Specialized in oxidation of low-moisture foods enabling CPGs to remove synthetic antioxidantspreservatives

Food and Nutrition Board Intern / March, 2011 — May, 2011

Organized Food Forum (FF) workshops and produced meta-analyses project reports and infographics to advance public policy research food research consensus and gaps with Department of Defense USDA and FF members

Food and Nutrition Board Assistant / May, 2011 — August, 2011

Organized Food Forum (FF) workshops and produced meta-analyses project reports and infographics to advance public policy research food research consensus and gaps with Department of Defense USDA and FF members

Graduate (M.S.) Research Assistant / August, 2008 — August, 2010

Leveraged rheological modelstools to create low-fat cheese with an improved texture more similar to full-fat. Co-chaired 2009 Dairy Bar mobilizing 1640 volunteer hours introducing protein shake boosts overseeing advertising planning budgets and purchase orders passing health inspections and grossing 60k in 2 weeks

Research Assistant / September, 2006 — August, 2008

Formulated specially-thickened beverages to meet specific viscosity parameters for consumers with dysphagia

Head of Product and R&D / January, 2024 — Present

Developing and commercializing clean-label OTC products.