December 2021 Virtual Meeting

Julie is currently the Chief Innovation Officer at PURIS Holdings, LLC. Her responsibilities include managing the innovation process, while developing and executing new technologies and finished food and beverage products. Julie is also responsible for identifying new business opportunities and innovation strategies in the growing market of plant-based foods. The integration of this role leads to new capabilities, new architectures with partners, new business models and new industry structures to educate and serve those opportunities-all while driving the growth of the plant-based arena.

Previously, Julie led Ingredion’s global plant protein strategy and innovation program. This role was essential to Ingredion’s future growth in plant protein and pulse-based ingredients. Mann was tasked with identifying, building, and maintaining strategic relationships with partners and customers in the global plant protein landscape and driving internal go-to-market and technical teams to achieve global leadership and breakthrough innovation in plant protein.
Before taking the position at Ingredion, Mann spent 20 years at the Hershey Company. Her most recent role there was as senior manager of protein research and technology in the snacks division. She holds five U.S. patents, with one additional patent pending approval. In addition, she is a founding member of Protein 2040, an initiative to feed the growing world population with sufficient protein by 2040.

Julie has a master’s degree in food science and nutrition from Penn State and Drexel University.