Key Executives is pleased to announce The Top 25 Food and Beverage Executives of 2023. The food and beverage (FandB) industry's significance stems from its vital role in maintaining human health and well-being. Executives operating in this sector recognize its substantial profit potential. In the U.S. alone, the food sector contributes around 5% to GDP, 10% to employment, and 10% to consumers' disposable income. While one of the oldest industries on the planet, the FandB industry also remains a hub of innovation and expansion, evident in its global market growth from $6.7 trillion in 2022 to $7.2 trillion in 2023, showcasing a 7.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Playing a pivotal role in this industry's massive growth are the FandB executives. These are the men and women who are responsible for shaping strategic decisions and driving business growth that ultimately leads to the industry's provision of fundamental necessities.
A prime example of superior leadership in the FandB industry is Peter McGuinness, the CEO of Impossible Foods. Bringing more than 30 years of consumer expertise to the table, McGuinness most recently served as President and COO of Chobani, where he scaled operations, expanded the business into new categories and helped build the company into an iconic brand. Another top executive who made the year's roster is Gary Hirshberg, the CEO of the Hirshberg Entrepreneurship Institute and Co-Founder and Chief Organic Optimist of Stonyfield Farm, the world’s leading organic yogurt producer. Among Hirshberg's many notable accomplishments, he is a published author, the recipient of 12 honorary doctorates, and has even been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the U.S. EPA. Lastly, we have Jim Zallie, the President and CEO of Ingredion, a Fortune 500 company that boasts annual net sales of nearly $8 billion. Prior to his current positions, Zallie served in several senior leadership roles at Ingredion, contributing to a significant increase in the company’s global specialties business, which has grown to 34 percent of net sales.
Please join us in recognizing the accomplishments of The Top 25 Food and Beverage Executives of 2023.
1. Donnie King
President and CEO, Tyson Foods
Donnie King is President and CEO of Tyson Foods, whose more than 139,000 team members at over 150 facilities around the world continue to build a portfolio of the world’s fastest-growing protein brands, including Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Sara Lee®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells®, and State Fair®. King was elected as a board member in February 2022. As CEO, King combines a drive for operational and financial excellence with a deep commitment to integrity and a passion for sustainability. He guides Tyson with a philosophy rooted in personal connection, striving to create value for customers and feed the world while caring for the company’s team members, communities, and the environment. Under King’s direction, Tyson Foods launched its leading COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all U.S. team members as well as its target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
King started his career at Tyson Foods in 1982 in the Poultry segment. Since then, he has held leadership positions in businesses across the company. Most recently, in the roles of Chief Operating Officer and International Business Group President, King helped grow Tyson’s global footprint, including in high-growth markets in Asia. He also served as President of North American Operations, where he was responsible for Poultry, Fresh Meats, International, and Prepared Foods operations. King has served on the board of directors of the National Chicken Council and the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association. He holds a bachelor’s in business management from the University of Arkansas-Monticello.
2. Laxman Narasimhan
CEO, Starbucks Corporation
Laxman Narasimhan is a trusted leader who brings nearly 30 years of experience leading and advising global consumer goods businesses. Known for his considerable operational and transformational expertise, he has a proven track record in developing and growing purpose-led brands. Building on the rich and complex histories of storied companies like PepsiCo, Laxman is a consumer industry veteran who has succeeded in rallying talent to deliver on future ambitions by driving customer-centric and digital innovations.
Before Starbucks, Laxman served as CEO of Reckitt, a multinational consumer health, hygiene, and nutrition company, where he led the company through a major transformation and a return to sustainable growth. Previously, he served as an executive in various leadership roles at PepsiCo, including as global chief commercial officer, where he was responsible for the company’s long-term growth strategy and commercial capabilities. He also served as CEO of the company’s Latin America, Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa operations, where he ran the company’s food and beverage businesses across over 100 countries. He also spent time as CEO of PepsiCo Latin America and as the CFO of PepsiCo Americas Foods.
Prior to PepsiCo, he spent 19 years at McKinsey & Company, where he advised companies across the retail, consumer goods, and healthcare industries in the U.S., Asia, and India. Laxman co-led McKinsey’s Global Consumer and Shopper Insights Practice, co-led McKinsey’s Global Retail Knowledge Council, helped co-found McKinsey’s Branding Practice and ran McKinsey’s Consumer Practices in Cleveland, the West Coast of the U.S., and India.
3. Sean Connolly
President and CEO, Conagra Brand
Sean M. Connolly is President and Chief Executive Officer of Conagra Brands. Sean joined Conagra Brands in March 2015. Prior to Conagra, Sean was President and CEO of The Hillshire Brands Company from the time of its formation as an independent company to its successful sale to Tyson Foods. Before leading Hillshire Brands, Sean was CEO for Sara Lee North American Retail and Foodservice, as well as President of Campbell Soup North America. Earlier in his career, he managed numerous food and beverage businesses at Procter & Gamble. Sean has deep experience creating value from a diverse range of food and beverage categories, spanning multiple channels of trade and with a focus on innovation, disciplined execution, and smart capital allocation.
Sean earned his bachelor's degree in economics from Vanderbilt University and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Sean is a member of the board of SC Johnson and is active on several non-profit boards, including Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Vanderbilt University, and the Economic Club of Chicago, where he serves as board chair.
4. Robert Gamgort
Chairman and CEO, Keurig Dr Pepper
Robert “Bob” Gamgort serves as Chairman and CEO for Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP). Under his leadership, KDP has emerged as one of the largest food and beverage companies in the United States, with inclusion in the SandP 500 and Nasdaq 100. Before the formation of KDP, Gamgort was CEO of Keurig Green Mountain, following its take-private transaction in 2016. His more than 30 years of experience in consumer products and entertainment includes positions as CEO of Pinnacle Foods, North American President of Mars Inc., and President of Major League Baseball Properties. Notably, his career is marked by numerous brand and company turnarounds, innovation, a successful IPO, and more than a dozen significant MandA transactions.
Gamgort holds an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. He also holds a BA in economics from Bucknell University; and studied at the London School of Economics. Gamgort serves as Director and Chair of the Compensation Committee for National Veterinary Associates, a leading pet healthcare company. He is also on the board of B4IG, a global coalition for inclusive growth. During his lengthy career, he has been recognized by the media for his influence in the fields of marketing, sports business, and the beverage industry, including BEVNET’s “Person of the Year” award in 2018.
5. Louis P. Gentine II
CEO, Sargento Foods
Louie Gentine is the CEO of Sargento Foods. As a third-generation family owner, Gentine has worked at the cheese company in many capacities - from washing trucks in high school to working on the production lines, in accounts receivable and retail sales during college. Following family succession rules, Gentine worked outside of the company as a commercial lender at American National Bank in Chicago for three years following his graduation from the University of Notre Dame with a BBA in Finance. He also completed his MBA at Loyola and returned to Sargento in 2000. Gentine is an experienced executive with over 20 years of experience at his family's $1.8 billion company.
He has held leadership roles in marketing, production, and procurement. He also had the opportunity to lead the company’s largest business unit – the Consumer Products Division, where he directed the efforts of sales, marketing, and innovation. Prior to becoming CEO in 2013, Gentine led all three Sargento business units. In addition to being involved in many community activities, he is a board member of the International Dairy Foods Association, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, Lakeside Foods, and Road America. Gentine is also the President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul store in Plymouth.
6. Kevin McAdams
CEO, Perdue Farms
As Chief Executive Officer, Kevin McAdams leads the Perdue Farms senior leadership team,
including its two independent operating companies Perdue Foods and Perdue AgriBusiness, and the company’s corporate function. McAdams was named CEO in July 2023 and is the fifth person to serve in that capacity. He joined Perdue Farms in July 2022 as President of Perdue Foods and COO of Perdue Farms.
McAdams came to Perdue Farms from Jack Links protein snacks, a privately held family-owned company, where he was President of North America. His previous senior positions include president, Schwan’s Consumer Brands, and President and COO of Pabst Brewing Company.
Earlier in his career, he held operating roles with Mizkan, Red Bull North America, The Coca-Cola Company, and Frito Lay. McAdams graduated from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
7. Gary Hirshberg
CEO, Hirshberg Entrepreneurship Institutes
Co-Founder and Chief Organic Optimist, Stonyfield Farm
Gary Hirshberg is CEO of the Hirshberg Entrepreneurship Institute and Co-Founder and Chief Organic Optimist of Stonyfield Farm, the world’s leading organic yogurt producer. He is also the Founder and Chair of two non-profit advocacy organizations: Organic Voices and the Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership. The author of Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World (Hyperion, 2008), Hirshberg frequently speaks on a wide range of topics, including sustainability, organic agriculture, and the profitability of green business. Currently, Hirshberg serves on several corporate boards, including My Forest Foods (plant-based bacon), Tacombi (Mexican taquerias and products), Uncle Matt’s Organic (organic juices and beverages), Wildgood (plant-based ice cream), and Willa’s (organic oat beverages).
Hirshberg has received 12 honorary doctorates. He’s also received numerous awards for corporate and environmental leadership, including a 2015 Champion for Children Award from Mount Sinai Hospital’s Children’s Environmental Health Center; a Lifetime Achievement Award by the US EPA; and Fast Company Magazine named him one of the top ten, “most inspiring people in sustainable food.” Furthermore, Hirshberg is an Edmund Hillary Fellow in NZ, where among his current projects, he is establishing an Organic Entrepreneurship Education Centre on a farm that he and his wife own near Motueka.
8. Thomas Jonas
Co-Founder and CEO, Nature's Fynd
Thomas Jonas is the Co-Founder and CEO of Nature’s Fynd, a Chicago-based start-up, which sells an edible protein produced by a microorganism discovered in the hot springs of the famous American national park. Using the same protein, known as “Fy,” Nature’s Fynd offers two very different vegan product lines: cream cheeses and breakfast patties, flat sausages traditionally featured in American breakfasts. The company has already raised more than $500 million in capital – and its investors include former U.S. vice-president Al Gore and billionaires Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates.
Notably, Jonas has been at his company's helm since launching it in January 2014. Before becoming an entrepreneur, he worked in Hong Kong and France. He arrived in New York in 2003 as strategy director for a subsidiary of Péchiney, a French conglomerate specializing in aluminum. Then Jonas was hired as the President of a division for MeadWestvaco, a U.S. packaging group. In 1993 Jonas graduated from HEC Paris.
9. Chris Schultz
CEO, Voodoo Doughnut
Chris Schultz is a highly accomplished executive in the restaurant industry, known for his exceptional track record in expanding renowned brands both nationally and globally. With over three decades of experience in the industry, Schultz has made significant contributions to some of the world's most recognizable brands. In the early 1990s, Schultz joined Starbucks, where he played an integral supporting role in helping to expand the brand within the United States and beyond, including the establishment of seven domestic markets and its entry into the United Kingdom.
This success led Schultz to join the founding team of Mod Pizza, an innovative fast-casual pizza chain. As a key figure in the company, he helped grow the brand from one store to over 300 locations, while developing a unique culture and brand experience on national and international levels. In 2017, Schultz became the CEO of Voodoo Doughnut, focusing on implementing structures to support the brand's growth plans. As a pioneer in the creative doughnut category, Voodoo Doughnut has seen its size double under Chris' leadership, with plans to further expand its national presence. His solid business sense, effective leadership qualities, and talent for identifying growth opportunities have been essential to his achievements at Voodoo Doughnut.
10. Dave Ritterbush
CEO, Califia Farms
David Ritterbush became CEO of the innovative, plant-based food and beverage company Califia Farms in the fall of 2020. With almost 30 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry, he has headed some of the most innovative food and beverage brands in the world and has a proven track record of elevating them to new heights. He most recently served as president and CEO of Quest Nutrition. In 2019, he guided the company to a $1 billion acquisition by The Simply Good Foods Co. Before joining Quest, Ritterbush served as president and CEO of Popchips, a revolutionary product that transformed the snacking category. Before that, he was at Premier Nutrition Corporation, a leading active nutrition company.
Additionally, Ritterbush served as vice president and general manager for Red Bull North America, the leading global energy drink company, where he was responsible for all distribution, marketing, and sales for Red Bull in the Western United States. He began his career at Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, serving over 17 years there. Ritterbush graduated from San Diego State University with honors and was awarded a lifetime pass to the university for his many contributions to the community and student leadership.
11. Evan Hafer
CEO, Black Rifle Coffee Company
Evan Hafer is the founder of Black Rifle Coffee Company. He has also served as its CEO since the company’s inception. Hafer started Black Rifle Coffee Company to provide high-quality coffee to the pro-American and Veteran communities.
Before founding Black Rifle Coffee Company in 2014, Hafer served in the US Army for 20 years – 15 of which were spent in special forces. During that time, he served as a Green Beret with the 19th Special Forces Group. He also served as a contractor to the Central Intelligence Agency. In terms of education, Hafer attended the University of Idaho and studied Political Science and Government.
12. Lior Lewensztain
Founder and CEO, That’s it
Dr. Lior Lewensztain, a visionary leader in the field of nutrition, serves as the Founder and CEO of That’s it. Embarking on his journey with That’s it in 2012, Dr. Lewensztain set out to reshape America's nutritional landscape by placing fruit at the forefront. His profound commitment has ignited a transformative mission to make the benefits of fruit universally accessible.
During his medical studies, Dr. Lewensztain delved into the intricate interplay between food, health, and nutrition, realizing that empowering individuals to embrace whole, plant-based foods is a paramount step toward preventive medicine. The crowning achievement of his endeavors is epitomized by That's it. Fruit Bars, an innovative line of snacks made with simply two ingredients: fruit and fruit. These bars resonate widely with an expansive audience of all ages and cultures. Today, the company has a presence in leading retailers across the United States, Canada, the UK – and even aboard United Airlines.
13. Peter McGuinness
CEO, Impossible Foods
Peter McGuinness is the CEO of Impossible Foods, a tech-enabled food company that makes delicious meat from plants, with a fraction of the environmental impact compared to animal meat. McGuinness joined Impossible in April 2022, bringing more than 30 years of consumer expertise to the position. He most recently served as President and COO of Chobani, where he scaled operations, expanded the business into new categories, including oat milk, and helped build the company into an iconic brand.
Prior to Chobani, McGuinness served as President and CEO of advertising agencies DDB Chicago and Gotham, where he succeeded in transforming and restoring the agencies following periods of decline. Before that, he held various roles at IPG marketing company Momentum Worldwide, including serving as its Regional President of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and Global Director of Consumer Activation, with operations in 45 offices spanning 25 countries. Prior to Momentum, McGuinness served as an EVP and Worldwide Account Director of McCann Erickson worldwide.
14. James Zallie
President and CEO, Ingredion Inc.
Since January 2018, James Zallie has served as President and CEO of Ingredion Incorporated and was elected to its board of directors in September 2017. Ingredion is a Fortune 500 company that provides global ingredient solutions to customers in more than 120 countries with annual net sales of nearly $8 billion. Zallie came to Ingredion (formerly Corn Products International) in 2010 with the acquisition of National Starch LLC, a $1.2 billion global leader in specialty starches where he served as president and CEO. Prior to his current position, he served in senior leadership roles at Ingredion and has contributed to a significant increase in the
company’s global specialties business, which has grown to 34 percent of net sales.
Zallie has demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision throughout as the architect of Ingredion Idea Labs, a global network of innovation centers that fosters customer collaboration and drives innovation, product development, and growth. Under his leadership, he also led the successful integration of several key acquisitions, including PureCircle, Penford Corporation, Kerr Concentrates, and TIC Gums. Zallie has provided his leadership perspective to a broad range of industries around the world and currently serves on the boards of The Executives' Club of Chicago, Northwestern Health Network, and Sylvamo Corporation. In addition, he is a member of The Economic Club of Chicago. Zallie is also an external adviser to Pennsylvania State’s Department of Food Science and holds 14 patents in starch technology and starch application.
15. Jennie Ripps
Founder & CEO, Owl’s Brew
Jennie Ripps is the Founder of Owl's Brew, and Brew Lab Tea, and is a tea sommelier. Owl's Brew is a line of clean boozy beverages, with fresh-brewed tea as a base. Owl's Brew may be found at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Sprouts, Publix, Total Wine, and others. Brew Lab was founded in 2011. Jennie partnered with restaurant owners, beverage directors & bartenders to craft iced and hot tea programs, with a focus on innovation and organic ingredients. Brew Lab was acquired in May 2018.
Jennie is the co-author of Wise Cocktails (Rodale Books). She has been featured in The NY Times, Forbes, WSJ, and Entrepreneur, among others. Jennie is an alumnus of Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses program and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. She is a mentor for the University of Pennsylvania's PWA (Professional Women's Alliance) and the Summit Series.
16. Abhi Ramesh
CEO and Founder, Misfits Market
Abhi Ramesh is the CEO and Founder of Misfits Market, a direct-to-consumer online grocery marketplace focused on sustainability, affordability, and accessibility. In 2018, at just 26 years old, Ramesh founded Misfits Market, creating the first-of-its-kind food value supply chain focused on building relationships with farmers, distributors, and producers to eliminate food waste while expanding food access. Since the company’s founding, it has saved over 228 million pounds of food and created a rescue revenue stream for farmers to the tune of more than $125 million in payments to its suppliers.
Notably, Ramesh led the company through the acquisition of Imperfect Foods in November of 2022. Before launching Misfits Market, Ramesh founded several startups, including TrendBent, Altair Prep, StoreTok, and Horizons School of Technology. He holds a BS in economics and a BA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He has also been recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and EY Entrepreneur of the Year for 2021.
17. Steven Oakland
Chairman, CEO & President, Treehouse Foods
Steven Oakland has served as Chief Executive Officer and President since 2018, and as Chair of the Board since April 2023. Oakland has served as Vice Chair and President of U.S. Food and Beverage of The J.M. Smucker Company (“Smucker’s”), a manufacturer of branded food products, since May 2016. He previously served as President, Coffee, and Foodservice of Smucker’s from 2015 to 2016; President, International Food Service of Smucker’s from 2011 to 2015; and President of U.S. Retail-Smucker’s Jif, and Hungry Jack from 2008 to 2011. Oakland has spent most of his career at Smucker’s, serving in increasingly senior positions, including General Manager of Smucker’s Canadian operations from 1995 to 1999.
Oakland currently serves on the board of directors of Foot Locker, Inc., an athletic footwear and apparel retailer, Foster Farms, a privately held poultry company, and The Green Coffee Company, a privately held Columbian coffee producer. He earned his bachelor’s in marketing and economics from the University of Mount Union.
18. Gianluca Di Tondo
Group CEO, Barilla
Born in Tortona, Italy Gianluca Di Tondo attended the Bocconi University of Milan, specializing in marketing. Gianluca has gained extensive experience in over 25 years in the Food & Beverage industry, with positions in both sales and marketing. Among other roles, he assumed global responsibility for the Heineken brand, with full accountability for profit and loss, long-term vision, and strategy for a brand that has a presence in 192 markets.
In March 2020 he joined Barilla as group CMO, where his responsibilities included the definition of a new category strategy for pasta that resulted in the creation of the Barilla Al Bronzo line, the launch of new logos for Barilla and Mulino Bianco, and the establishment of the Barilla Acceleration Team – a center of excellence for digital skills and Advanced Analytics in London. Gianluca also played a key role in the acquisition of Pasta Evangelists, where he became Chairman of the Board. As of April 2023, he has been appointed Barilla Group CEO.
19. Matt Gibson
Co-Founder and CEO, New Culture
Born and raised in dairy-rich New Zealand, Matt Gibson became passionate about transforming the dairy industry when he started learning about its massive environmental, animal welfare, and human health impacts. After founding multiple start-ups in New Zealand, he moved to the Bay Area to launch New Culture as part of IndieBio, the world’s leading biotech start-up accelerator, with co-founder Inja Radman.
Gibson has a BSc from the University of Auckland in genetics and microbiology. In addition, he has completed a certificate in filmmaking from the New Zealand Film Academy; and is a licensed skydiver with 60+ jumps above him. He is also a budding banjo picker.
20. Justin Fenchel
Co-Founder and CEO, BeatBox Beverages
Justin Fenchel is a Co-Founder and CEO at BeatBox Beverages, an 11.1% RTD Party Punch served in eco-friendly, resealable Tetra Pak containers. He is an avid fan of music festivals and bringing people together around shared experiences. Leading BeatBox’s growth and seeing the impact the company is having on connecting people all over the country via the brand, is a dream come true.
Fenchel grew up in Southern California and has lived in Austin since 2011. He received his Bachelor of Science in economics from Pomona College, and his MBA in entrepreneurship from the McCombs School of Business in Austin, TX. Prior to founding BeatBox, Fenchel spent five years as an equity analyst with Bel Air Investment Advisors.
21. Landon Eckles
Co-Founder and CEO, Clean Juice
Landon Eckles is the Co-Founder and CEO at Clean Juice. After spending years traveling internationally, he was ready for a career change and more time at home with his growing family. His wife and Co-Founder of Clean Juice, Kat, saw a need for a juice bar in the Charlotte area. They quickly jumped into the idea with full motivation and heart and founded Clean Juice in 2014.
In January 2020, Kat and Landon started a podcast called Be Organic, where they break down trending topics in health and wellness, helping you decide whether or not they’re right for you. You’ll get tangible tips and actionable takeaways for living your life organically! Eckles graduated from Moravian University with an undergraduate degree in business management.
22. Jesse Merrill
Co-Founder and CEO, Good Culture
Jesse Merrill is an entrepreneur with more than 15 years of experience across the food and beverage landscape. Specializing in startups and marketing, Merrill has been a part of several exciting brands, including musician Moby’s tea company, teany, Honest Tea, and ACTIVATE Drinks. Merrill is now the Co-Founder and CEO of Good Culture, a disruptive mission-driven brand that created loads of buzz when they shook up the cottage cheese category in 2015.
The idea for Good Culture was inspired by Merrill’s desire to use food as functional medicine to combat his own autoimmune disease. Cottage Cheese was a sleepy category at the time, but also an overlooked real superfood. Merrill brought his vision to life by creating a line of cottage cheese products using only high-quality simple ingredients with dairy sourced from family farms, with no gums, thickeners, stabilizers, or additives which are common in standard cottage cheese. Good Culture is a proud partner of 1% for the Planet, supporting pasture access for animals and regenerative agriculture, and is a Certified B-Corporation.
23. Ben Goodwin
Co-Founder and CEO, OLIPOP
In 2018 Ben Goodwin Co-founded OLIPOP. In favor of his entrepreneurial spirit, Goodwin forwent an environmental science degree. He also has a passion for health and wellness that stems from personal experience. After a childhood on the standard American diet, he had an epiphany at just 14 years old and lost 50 pounds with daily exercise and mindful eating habits. These positive changes resulted in a deep curiosity about nutrition's effect on physical and mental health, making Goodwin a relentless scholar of the human microbiome and ways to leverage it for overall wellness.
This passion-filled Goodwin with the desire to offer a nutritious take on something consumers already love, soda. This led to the creation of OLIPOP’s “OLIsmart formula” to reintroduce nostalgic flavors with a healthy twist. Goodwin works with a team of leading human gut microbiome researchers to translate cutting-edge findings into product development. Since the inception of OLIPOP in 2018, it has become the fastest-growing refrigerated functional beverage brand in the U.S., found in 21,000 retail doors nationwide.
24. Serenity Carr
Co-Founder and CEO, Serenity Kids
Serenity Carr is the Co-Founder and CEO of Serenity Kids. She launched the company in 2016. Serenity Kids facilitates healthy diets and lifestyles for children through the highest quality food, without sugar. They are transforming their society to cultivate health, equality, and sustainability, starting with the youngest members of their community. The company is based in Austin, Texas.
Previously, Carr was a health coach at Joy of Paleo. Before that, she served as a procurement advisor at Dell. Earlier in her career, she worked with John Deere as a logistics analyst. Carr earned an MA in higher education and student affairs from The Ohio State University and an undergraduate degree in logistics, materials, and supply chain management from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
25. Adam Maxwell
Founder and CEO, Voyage Foods
Adam Maxwell is the Founder and CEO of Voyage Foods, a food technology company making delicious, sustainable, and accessible foods that are better for people and the planet. As CEO, Maxwell guides the strategy and trajectory of Voyage in fundamentally shifting what and how we eat. Throughout his life and career, Maxwell has always been a foodie having worked in restaurants starting as a teen. He apprenticed at James Beard's award-winning restaurant, Clio, in Boston and went on to study food chemistry at McGill University before working in RandD roles for a handful of food tech brands, including Chew and Endless West.
Throughout these experiences, Maxwell’s passion and understanding of our food systems’ fragility only grew, and he saw an opportunity to use technology and innovation to revolutionize the food industry and secure the future of our favorite foods. Thus, he founded Voyage Foods in February of 2021 alongside a team of talented food scientists and CPG experts to make that vision a reality.