Former Unilever executive Karina Zimerfield will be heading R&D for the Mars Food & Nutrition business within Mars Incorporated. In her new role, she will report to Shaid Shah, President Mars Food & Nutrition. She will also serve as a member of the Global Food & Nutrition leadership team and the Mars Incorporated Global R&D Leadership team.
In her role Zimerfeld will lead R&D for Mars Food & Nutrition, including overseeing R&D Innovation, Quality and Food Safety, Science & Technology, and Scientific & Regulatory Affairs.
“Food has a unique role in the fabric of humanity. It not only fuels us, but brings people together, is central to our health and wellness, and connects us with our planet. I’m thrilled to have Karina join us as we continue our journey as an innovative, purpose driven food business of tomorrow,” stated Shaid Shah. “With 25-years of deep experience in innovation, science and technology Karina will play an integral role in helping us pursue further growth and innovation, drive value for consumers and make a positive impact on society.”
Zimerfeld is joining Mars having spent 25 years with Unilever, where she was most recently Global Vice President R&D for the company’s foodservice business unit, leading it through a significant business transformation with initiatives focused on digital, customer-centric, healthy and sustainable innovations.
Prior to this, she held several senior R&D leadership roles based in Latin America, Europe and globally for multiple food and nutrition categories, both in business-to-consumer and business-to-business.
“As a food lover myself, I’m excited to join the Mars Food & Nutrition team and look forward to leading the charge to use science, technology and innovation to capture opportunities for consumers, while in parallel creating a better, more sustainable world of food,” said Karina Zimerfield, Global R&D Vice President, Mars Food & Nutrition. “And with evolving consumer needs, a pressing climate change, and advances in technology, this is an incredibly exciting time to be in food!”
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