Ethan Brown – As the founder and CEO of Beyond Meat, Brown has been a trailblazer in the plant-based meat industry. Beyond Meat's products have been lauded for their taste and texture, closely resembling real meat and making vegan options more palatable to the masses.
Pat Brown – Founder of Impossible Foods, another major player in the plant-based meat arena. The company's Impossible Burger, with its meaty taste and texture, has gained immense popularity, becoming available even in mainstream fast-food chains.
Dr. Uma Valeti – A cardiologist turned entrepreneur, Valeti co-founded Memphis Meats, which focuses on lab-grown meat. Although not plant-based, it's a meat alternative that addresses ethical and environmental concerns associated with traditional meat production.
Dr. Michele Simon – As the executive director of the Plant Based Foods Association, Simon advocates for the interests of plant-based food producers, ensuring that the industry has a unified voice.
T.K. Pillan – Co-founder of Veggie Grill, one of the largest plant-based fast-casual chains in the U.S. He has helped popularize plant-based dishes, making them more accessible and trendy.
Seth Goldman – The co-founder of Honest Tea ventured into the plant-based meat domain by chairing Beyond Meat. Goldman's business acumen has been instrumental in scaling and popularizing plant-based alternatives.
Shama Sukul Lee – As the founder and CEO of Sunfed, a New Zealand-based company specializing in chicken-free chicken made from yellow peas, Lee has expanded the dialogue on plant-based meat alternatives beyond burgers.
Derek Sarno – The co-founder of Wicked Healthy, a platform dedicated to culinary techniques for plant-based foods. As the Director of Plant-Based Innovation at Tesco, one of the UK's largest supermarket chains, Sarno has helped bring plant-based alternatives to mainstream grocery shoppers.
Dr. Sandhya Sriram – CEO and co-founder of Shiok Meats, Sriram is pioneering cell-based crustacean meats. While not strictly plant-based, it offers a sustainable and cruelty-free alternative to seafood.
Lisa Feria – CEO of Stray Dog Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage plant-based and cultured meat startups. Feria has her fingers on the pulse of the latest innovations in the meat alternatives sector.
