Emma Fuerst Frelinghuysen

Emma Fuerst Frelinghuysen is a seasoned food and beverage expert with a career spanning over 20 years. She has held key roles in notable organizations such as Diageo, FreshDirect, Hain Celestial, and R.E.D.D., showcasing her proficiency in managing and marketing brands across various stages of growth.

During her tenure as the CEO of R.E.D.D., Emma successfully drove business growth, optimized margins, enhanced product quality, packaging, and assortment. Her leadership also navigated the company through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, culminating in a successful acquisition by LesserEvil in early 2022.

At The Hain Celestial Group, Emma contributed to the strategic platform Cultivate Ventures, focusing on expanding underserved brands within the company's portfolio and exploring opportunities to acquire new brands aligned with Hain's commitment to offering consumers a 'Healthier Way of Life.'

Passionate about elevating the consumer experience to foster brand loyalty, Emma spearheaded the development of FreshDirect's innovative produce rating system. This initiative addressed a consumer need by transparently rating the quality of produce, enriching the online grocery shopping experience.

With a lifelong passion for food and beverage, Emma's journey has led her from culinary classes at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris to exploring farms on Long Island's North Fork and sourcing products in Italy. She continues to leverage her expertise by advising several start-up brands in the food and beverage sector.

Emma's educational background includes studies at Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Trinity College-Hartford. Her diverse professional experience spans leadership roles such as CEO, Vice President, Senior Director, and Merchandising Manager across renowned companies in the industry.

Through her roles at Diageo, FreshDirect, Hain Celestial, and R.E.D.D., Emma has honed her skills in areas like general management, marketing, new product development, operations, and sales, underscoring her comprehensive understanding of the food and beverage landscape.