Julia Collins
About Julia Collins
Julia Collins is the Founder and CEO of Moonshot Snacks and Planet FWD, both established in 2019. She has a strong background in food systems and entrepreneurship, previously holding key positions in various food-related companies and organizations.
Work at Planet FWD
Julia Collins has served as the Founder and CEO of Planet FWD since 2019. Under her leadership, the company focuses on building a decarbonization platform tailored for the food and beverage industry. Collins has been instrumental in developing tools that quantify the impacts of sourcing decisions, aiming to create a more sustainable food system.
Work at Moonshot Snacks
As the Founder of Moonshot Snacks, Julia Collins launched the first climate-friendly snack brand in 2020. The brand serves as a proofing ground for Planet FWD’s software. Moonshot Snacks emphasizes sustainability through sourcing regenerative, organic wheat and using recycled materials for packaging. By 2023, the brand was available in over 3,200 retail locations nationwide.
Education and Expertise
Julia Collins holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where she studied from 2007 to 2009. She also earned a Bachelor's degree in Government from Harvard University, completing her studies there from 1997 to 2001. Her educational background supports her extensive experience in reimagining food systems and entrepreneurship.
Professional Background
Prior to her current roles, Julia Collins held various positions in the food and hospitality industry. She worked as Director of Restaurant Development and Food Service at Murray's Cheese from 2012 to 2014, and as Managing Partner at Mexicue from 2010 to 2012. Additionally, she served as a Business Analyst at Union Square Hospitality Group and as Manager in Charge at Guardsmark, LLC.
Achievements and Initiatives
Julia Collins co-founded Zume Pizza, becoming the first Black woman to create a company valued at over a billion dollars. She has also acted as an Entrepreneur in Residence for Cleo Capital and is an active angel investor focused on funding female entrepreneurs and BIPOC founders. Collins has served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Harlem Jazz Enterprises, where she contributed to The Cecil winning Best New Restaurant of the Year.