Ben Mand

Ben Mand is the CEO of Guayakí, an organic beverage company specializing in yerba mate products. With over 20 years of experience building and leading responsible businesses, Mand has made an impact as a change agent, driving improvements in health, sustainability and social impact, while delivering consistent sales and profit growth.

Prior to Guayakí, Mand was the former CEO of Harmless Harvest, where he more than doubled the company's business in under four years, successfully transforming the company from a brand solely focused on coconut water to a leader in premium functional beverages and plant-based dairy. Previously, he oversaw all marketing, innovation and creative strategy for Plum Organics, the organic baby food brand, quickly accelerating it from #3 to #1 in its category. Additionally, Mand has worked in various brand marketing and innovation roles at leading companies, including General Mills, Johnson & Johnson, and Interbrand. His career started in the late 1990s when he took a sabbatical from consulting to volunteer at an organic coffee farm in Costa Rica, where he discovered a passion for the food he grew by working closely with local farmers.

Mand is a seasoned speaker and has been featured at industry events including SXSW, Natural Products Expo and Advertising Week, on topics ranging from socially-minded business practices to marketing with empathy.