GoodSam Foods has made multiple new hires, including Kari Janapareddi as director of sales, Sara Galeano as director of sustainability, and Ryan Siwinski as director of U.S. operations. 

Additionally, the company will have Marcia Bell start as chief operating officer in March 2023 after nearly a year as a consultant. 

“Taking on this role allows me to work with an incredible team, developing responsibly-sourced, sustainable supply chains in a direct-trade system that will contribute to supporting our planet," Bell said. "Our commitment to these choices will have a deep and lasting impact in the beautiful communities that have opened not only their farms to us, but their hearts as well.” 

The hires mark the brand’s continued global growth and team expansion around the world. In addition to leadership expansion, GoodSam announced Louise Kibugi will serve as executive coordinator, stationed in Nairobi, Kenya, effective immediately. Each member of the GoodSam team contributes to the overall mission of being good for the planet and creating sustainable impact in the food industry. 

“There is nothing more exciting as a founder and entrepreneur than watching your team grow as the company grows," says GoodSam Founder & CEO Heather K. Terry. "My vision for this company is extensive and will take a seasoned, forward-thinking and diverse team to accomplish it. Fundamentally upending the food system as we know it, investing and driving growth in regenerative agriculture will take massive alignment, action and an unrelenting commitment to sustainability and farmers. I believe we are shaping the team at GoodSam Foods to take that challenge head-on.”

The new additions to the GoodSam team include:

• Kari Janapareddi, director of sales, USA: Janapareddi joins GoodSam with over 12 years of CPG experience, including seven years working at Taza Chocolate out of Boston. She has lived in Boston, Austin and San Francisco and formed relationships with several broker, distributor and retailer partners. Most recently, she was the national sales manager at NuttZo, where she helped expand the company's footprint into key natural, conventional and mass market accounts.  
• Sara Galeano, director of sustainability, Colombia: Galeano has more than four years of experience dedicated to building and strengthening sustainable organizations with significant social, environmental and economic impact. She has also worked to improve the living conditions of rural communities in Colombia, with more than 30 agricultural associations in 12 regions of the country, from the private sector and an NGO. With a history of leading the funding of resources and participating in building environmental, entrepreneurship, education, art and cultural projects with rural communities in her native country, Galeano hopes to create a greater impact by creating lasting solutions with GoodSam. 
• Ryan Siwinski, director of U.S. operations: Siwinski holds a bachelor's degree in operations and supply chain management from Drexel University in Philadelphia. After college, Siwinski pursued various food and agriculture experiences to fully understand the industry from the ground up. He began by launching a small-scale meal prep startup at Drexel University, followed by agriculture experiences as a farmer, livestock consultant and regenerative agriculture advocate. His on-farm experience at Tussock Sedge Farm, White Oak Pastures and Rodale Institute has helped him gain knowledge in all aspects of regenerative agriculture systems. Siwinski's career goals are to build and manage supply chains that contribute to producing high-quality food with a major emphasis on positive ecological outcomes.
• Marcia Bell, chief operations officer: Bell brings over 20 years of operations and logistics leadership expertise. She has experience in operations, as evidenced by program development, streamlining operating efficiencies and developing teams through senior leadership roles in CPG companies in the natural products industry. Before joining GoodSam, Bell spent several years as director of operations for NibMor Chocolate, and most recently, for Eco-Kids in Portland, Maine. Marcia is dedicated to supporting the CEO, her vision and initiatives across the organization.