Jonathan Neman

Jonathan Neman is the co-founder and co-CEO of "sweetgreen", a company renowned for offering simple, seasonal, healthy food. Together with his co-founders, Nathaniel Ru and Nicolas Jammet, he launched "sweetgreen" in 2007, shortly after graduating from Georgetown University. The first outlet was opened in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. With a strong commitment to a robust food ethos, community engagement, and an emphasis on passion and purpose, "sweetgreen" has expanded significantly, now operating over 70 locations across the East Coast, Midwest, and California.

Neman has been distinguished for his innovative approach in the food and business sectors. He has earned spots on Fast Company’s “Most Creative People in Business,” and both Forbes’ and Inc’s “30 Under 30” lists. Food & Wine also named him among “40 Big Food Thinkers 40 and Under.” Under his leadership, "sweetgreen" was recognized as one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Companies” in 2016. Neman’s leadership extends into technology as well, where he is a proponent of leveraging blockchain technology to enhance business growth.

An active speaker, Neman has shared his insights at various esteemed platforms, including Georgetown University, Business Rockstars, The Welcome Conference, Recode, and TechCo Media. His keynote topics often cover “Building Intimacy at Scale” and he has participated in discussions such as “Management in crisis” with Axios. He frequently addresses the impact of automation, AI, and technology in the food industry, and discusses vital themes such as entrepreneurship, social impact, sustainability, and the importance of partnership and teamwork in fostering business growth. Neman’s influence and expertise make him a sought-after speaker in the realms of business innovation and sustainable food practices.