Colleen Kavanagh

Experience

ZEGO

Founder, Co-Founder and CEO 2013 - Present (about 13 years)

Congressman George Miller

Legislative Assistant 1990 - 1995 (about 4 years)

I helped craft and market legislation to improve nutrition for low-income children in public settings and at home.

A Better Course

Executive Director 2007 - Present (almost 19 years)

California Food Policy Advocates

Assistant Director 1997 - 2001 (over 3 years)

Oversaw all child nutrition program field and policy work with an aim to improve health and economic outcomes for low income families.

Founder

ZEGO

Employee

California Food Policy Advocates, A Better Course, Congressman George Miller

Projects

New Just Fruit and Fruit + Seed Nutrition Bars

Made from 100% fruit grown in Washington, Oregon & CA.

Our new fruit bars are made with 100% US grown fruit. Unique in fruit bars, our delicious, bright flavors come from fruit grown in Washington, Oregon and… · More

Education

About

Achievements

(1) I once parallel parked my car with only one inch space between my car and the adjacent cars.

(2) In the shortest public policy success I have ever experienced, in just two years time, I published a report on segregation and misappropriation in the National School Lunch Program "Flunking Lunch," advocated for and helped write new laws and regulations to fix the issues outlined in the reports, and all the laws and regulations were enacted.

(3) I completed a mini-triathalon in college with a borrowed (one-speed) bike from a 10-year-old boy.

(4) I recently solved a very expensive oil problem in the manufacturing of my product with a brilliant solution (sorry, the solution is my secret).

(5) I have not irreparably harmed my children and I'm still married to the same man I fell in love with when I was 19 years old.

Describe the most impressive thing you've done.

Skills

Sales and Marketing Social Media Marketing Management Public Policy Public Speaking Creative Problem Solving Innovation & Growth Disruptive Innovation

Locations

Washington DC San Francisco Memphis Nashville

Q&A

What's your favorite non-business book?

Freakonomics

If money were not an issue, what would you be doing right now?

Start a completely clean, bio-diverse farm and making packaged goods directly from the harvest so we control everything from soil to shelf and measure health benefits for our customers. And, a LOT of ocean stand-up paddle boarding.

What words of advice would you give your younger self?

Keep laughing and, remember, it can always get worse, so your job is to find the joy in wherever you are in life!

What's the most creative thing you've ever done?

Raising children.

What's your super power?

Humor, out-of-the-box thinking, and figuring out how to turn around bad situations.

What's the best way for people to get in touch with you?

Email or text

What words of wisdom do you live by?

(1) Learn fast, pivot faster. (2) You are a reflection of the 5 people you spend the most time with. (3) Sometimes, all you can control is your reaction. (4) Find the best in people and give them the chance to let that part of themselves shine.

What aspects of your work are you most passionate about?

Maximizing taste, nutrition and food safety and creativity and connecting with my customers.

What was the most impactful class you took in school?

Political Science in 11th grade with Mrs. Jones. What an amazing teacher!

What's something you wish you had done years earlier?

Travelled around the world for a year.

What's the most useful business-related book you've ever read?

Freakonomics (I realize I put this for both business and non-business related but it is really both).

Colleen Kavanagh

Co-founded and CEO of ZEGO LLC, founder and president of A Better Course, Asst Dir. CA Food Policy Advocates, Leg Asst Congressman George Miller, 3 fab kids.