NATURAL PRODUCT EXPO EAST

Katlin Smith is the founder and CEO of Simple Mills, a Chicago-based company at the forefront of a clean food movement that is shaping the next generation of natural foods. Named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2017, Smith launched Simple Mills in 2013 to provide a cleaner alternative to the natural baking mixes then on the market. Today, despite a crowded market space with long-established competitors, Simple Mills ranks as the #1 fastest-growing natural baking mix and cracker brand, the #2 natural baking mix brand by dollars sold, and the #3 natural cracker brand by dollar volume. Simple Mills products are currently distributed in more than 6,500 conventional and natural grocery stores including Whole Foods, Target and Safeway as well as through leading online channels. All products are free of gluten, grain, dairy, soy, GMOs, excessive sugar, and artificial flavors and fillers, addressing consumer concerns about food sensitivities and the safety of the food supply chain. The current lineup includes baking mixes, frostings, almond flour crackers, sprouted seed crackers and ready to eat crunchy cookies. Smith is a former Deloitte Consulting management consultant, winner of the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business New Venture Challenge, recipient of the top prize in Chapman University’s California Dreamin’ Business Competition, and a columnist for Inc. magazine.