Susan Walters-Flood
Chief Operating Officer
The Planting Hope Company Inc.
Susan Walters-Flood is Chief Operating Officer of Planting Hope. She directs all manufacturing and production, including product formulation and development, packaging, supply chain, logistics and sustainability initiatives. Susan has over 30 years' experience in the food manufacturing and finance industry that contributes to Planting Hope’s core business elements. Her background was instrumental in driving the research and development behind Planting Hope’s flagship Hope and Sesame® Sesamemilk and the recently released Hope and Sesame® Barista Blend.
Previously, Susan was the President of Nu-World Foods, a strategic leader in specialty food ingredients and contract manufacturing. This was a pioneering venture for 20 years, taking an unknown company with unique product offerings – Ancient Grains ingredients – and services into the marketplace. Ultimately, Nu-World grew into a multimillion-dollar enterprise that served niche brands like Enjoy Life Foods and mega brands such as Chobani, Kellogg, Conagra, and more. At Nu-World, Susan solidified her skills at building a strong, innovative, and successful company. Prior to Nu-World, Susan worked at Arthur Andersen as a Management Consultant where she helped companies large and small define new business strategies, design new organizations (including outsourcing and shared services), implement improved systems, processes, and metrics, as well as engage and train their teams to change and improve their financial business performance. She holds a BS in Business from Indiana University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.Innovative, Better for You Beverages: What's Next?
There’s no more fluid, dynamic market than beverages, which showcase nearly every imaginable trend. What tastes, trends and topics dominated 2022—and what’s likely to influence new products in 2023? One expert with a broad and first-hand perspective is Chicago’s Imbibe Inc., a third-party consultant and product developer. Come hear Andy Dratt, Imbibe’s Chief Commercial Officer, lead a panel discussion exploring all angles of new, better-for-your beverages.