★Komal Ahmad
About ★Komal Ahmad
Komal Ahmad is the founder of Copia, a platform that connects surplus food supply with real-time demand. She has led Copia to redistribute over 6.5 million pounds of food and has received multiple recognitions for her contributions to food waste management and women's entrepreneurship.
Work at Copia
As the Founder of Copia, Komal Ahmad has been instrumental in developing a platform that connects surplus food supply with real-time demand. This initiative has been likened to 'Match.com for Excess Food'. Under her leadership since 2015, Copia has redistributed over 6.5 million pounds of food to more than 1800 nonprofits. The organization has also been recognized as one of the top 3 startups run by women in the U.S. and has graduated from Y Combinator, being acknowledged as one of the top 8 startups in the program.
Education and Expertise
Komal Ahmad studied at Palo Verde High School from 2004 to 2008, followed by a Bachelor's degree in International Health and Global Development from the University of California, Berkeley, from 2008 to 2012. Her academic focus included Global Poverty & Practice. Additionally, she has been involved with Y Combinator since 2016, further enhancing her expertise in startup development and food waste management.
Background
Before founding Copia, Komal Ahmad served as a Midshipman in the U.S. Navy from 2008 to 2012. Following her military service, she worked at Google as an SMB Account Technology Strategist for one year in 2014-2015. Her diverse background in both the military and technology sectors has contributed to her leadership capabilities in the nonprofit and startup environments.
Achievements
Komal Ahmad has received multiple recognitions for her work and leadership. She was named one of the Most Powerful Women in the World by Entrepreneur Magazine and featured as one of the Top 50 Most Badass Women in the World by InStyle. Additionally, she has been listed among the Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company. Her efforts at Copia have unlocked over $21 million in savings for businesses and nonprofits, addressing a significant market in surplus food waste management valued at $90 billion.
Recognition by Toyota
Komal Ahmad was recognized by Toyota as their 'Toyota Mother of Invention'. This acknowledgment highlights her innovative approach to addressing food waste and her impact on the nonprofit sector through Copia's initiatives.