Dr. Valerie Oswalt
About Dr. Valerie Oswalt
Dr. Valerie Oswalt serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Kodiak Cakes and has held various leadership roles in the food industry, including positions at Campbell Soup Company and Kraft Foods Group. She holds an MBA from Northwestern University and a Doctor of Education from the University of Southern California.
Current Role at Kodiak Cakes
Dr. Valerie Oswalt serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Kodiak Cakes, a position she has held since 2022. Under her leadership, the company focuses on delivering high-quality, nutritious food products. Her role involves overseeing the company's strategic direction and operations, ensuring that Kodiak Cakes continues to innovate and meet consumer demands. The company is based in Park City, Utah.
Previous Experience in Food Industry
Dr. Oswalt has extensive experience in the food industry, having held various leadership roles. She was the Executive Vice President and President of Campbell Snacks at Campbell Soup Company from 2020 to 2022. Prior to that, she worked at Kraft Foods Group in multiple capacities, including Vice President of Retail and Vice President of Supply Chain. Her career also includes significant positions at Mondelēz International, where she served as Area Vice President of Sales and President of the NA Confections Business.
Educational Background
Dr. Valerie Oswalt holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. She also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Marketing and Finance from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Additionally, she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Economics from Queens College.
Recognition and Influence
In 2021, Dr. Oswalt was recognized as a Woman of Influence in the Food Industry by the Shelby Griffin Report. This acknowledgment reflects her impact and contributions to the industry, particularly in developing strategic marketing and sales plans and fostering high-performance diverse teams. Her leadership style emphasizes driving positive change within organizations.
Advisory Role at Forward Consumer Partners
Since 2023, Dr. Oswalt has served as an Advisory Board Member at Forward Consumer Partners. In this role, she provides strategic guidance and insights based on her extensive experience in the consumer goods sector. Her involvement with the advisory board allows her to influence emerging trends and support the growth of innovative consumer brands.