olipop Executives | Leadership Team & Company Leadership

Date August 22, 2025
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olipop

COMPANY INFO

Olipop, Inc. is an American beverage company founded in 2018 by Ben Goodwin and David Lester. The company has over 100 employees and is headquartered in Oakland, California. Olipop operates in the beverage industry, specializing in prebiotic sodas that promote gut health by combining plant fiber and botanicals. Their products offer a healthier alternative to traditional sugary sodas, targeting health-conscious consumers. The official website is drinkolipop.com.

7 Key OLIPOP Inc. Executives

OLIPOP Inc. is an innovative beverage company headquartered in Oakland, California, specializing in prebiotic sodas that support gut health by combining plant fiber and botanicals. With a focus on creating healthier alternatives to traditional sodas, OLIPOP targets health-conscious consumers seeking delicious and functional beverage options.

The OLIPOP Inc. leadership team brings together a dynamic group of executives with deep expertise in beverage innovation, finance, operations, and marketing. OLIPOP’s management team is led by experienced founders and industry veterans, whose diverse backgrounds in product development, brand building, and organizational transformation have driven the company’s rapid growth and influential market presence. Collectively, OLIPOP executives leverage their knowledge of health trends, operational excellence, and strategic vision to cement the company’s status as a leading functional beverage brand.

Key Executives

Ben Goodwin - CEO & Co-Founder

Ben Goodwin is the CEO, Co-Founder, and Formulator at OLIPOP Inc., leading the company’s mission to transform consumer health through innovative, low-sugar, high-fiber sodas that support digestive wellness. Under Ben’s leadership, OLIPOP has disrupted the traditional soda market by introducing clinically validated products that combine nostalgic flavors with tangible health benefits, helping to shape the company’s vision, branding, and product strategy.

Ben brings over a decade of entrepreneurial experience in health and wellness, including previous ventures such as Obi Probiotic Soda and Biome Body. His expertise in product development, fermentation, and probiotic beverages, along with his background in branding and marketing, were foundational for his role as OLIPOP Inc. CEO. Ben holds certifications such as HACCP from the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals and maintains a passion for bridging human health with accessible product innovation.

David Lester - Co-Founder

David Lester is Co-Founder at OLIPOP Inc., focusing on unlocking the metabolic and digestive health benefits of OLIPOP's beverages through his vision and innovation expertise. David has been pivotal in positioning the brand as the first clinically backed soda meeting real-world taste demands while benefiting the human microbiome, addressing the modern decline in gut microbiome diversity.

David draws from a wealth of international marketing and innovation experience, including leadership positions at Diageo, such as Innovation Concept Marketing Director and Senior Brand Manager for Johnnie Walker, as well as CEO of Obi Probiotic Soda. He holds a BA Hons in Management Studies and Spanish from the University of Nottingham and is highly regarded for his work in beverage brand strategy and global marketing within the OLIPOP Inc. management team.

Tracy Hart - CFO

Tracy Hart is the Chief Financial Officer at OLIPOP Inc., steering the company’s financial planning, cost management, and operational strategy to support scalable growth. Tracy’s leadership has driven OLIPOP's operational excellence through multi-year cost structure improvements and efficient financial closing processes, ensuring alignment with long-term growth and profitability objectives.

With over twenty years of finance leadership in consumer products, Tracy previously served as CFO at True Botanicals and method products pbc, gaining valuable experience in global finance, M&A, and ERP implementations. She holds an MBA from Xavier University – Williams College of Business and a BS in Accounting from Western Michigan University, and she is recognized for her cross-functional leadership within OLIPOP Inc. management.

Melvin Landis - President

Melvin Landis is President at OLIPOP Inc., responsible for shaping company strategy, transformation initiatives, and customer relations while overseeing P&L. Melvin’s vast experience in managing multi-billion dollar businesses, driving organizational redesign, and unlocking growth opportunities has been fundamental in positioning OLIPOP as a strategic and operational leader in the functional beverage space.

Melvin’s prior executive roles at The Coca-Cola Company, The Clorox Company, and Kraft General Foods include high-impact positions such as President of Minute Maid at Coca-Cola North America. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is an established authority in CPG business strategy and transformation, contributing to OLIPOP Inc. leadership.

Sara Gragnolati - VP of Innovation

Sara Gragnolati serves as VP of Innovation at OLIPOP Inc., leading product innovation, brand strategy, and the development of a forward-thinking product pipeline aligned with emerging health and sustainability trends. Sara has fostered growth and operational excellence by integrating human-centered design and agility into OLIPOP’s innovation processes.

With two decades of experience spanning innovation and marketing (including previous roles at MegaFood, Welch’s, and Archer Roose), Sara holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Babson F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business and a BA in Communication from the University of Scranton. Her expertise in agile leadership and consumer-driven product development supports OLIPOP Inc.'s reputation for pioneering functional beverages.

Alex Jenny - VP, Finance

Alex Jenny is VP, Finance at OLIPOP Inc., overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning to fuel the company’s continued expansion. Alex provides strategic financial guidance for OLIPOP’s projects and operations, ensuring strong fiscal discipline during periods of rapid growth.

Alex brings a robust background in finance and operations strategy, previously holding positions at Allbirds and as President of Jennus Innovation, an accelerator for entrepreneurs. He earned a BA in Economics and an MBA from Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business, and his expertise supports OLIPOP Inc.’s financial health and growth trajectory.

Bob Arnold - Senior Executive

Bob Arnold is a senior executive at OLIPOP Inc., known for his deep industry knowledge, business acumen, and strength in building customer relationships. Bob’s leadership enhances OLIPOP’s strategic decision-making and operational success through his extensive network and insight into beverage trends.

Bob’s career spans successful marketing and brand management roles across the beverage industry, establishing his reputation for driving business growth and consumer engagement. His expertise is a vital asset to the OLIPOP Inc. executives team, supporting the company’s ongoing expansion.

Company Leadership

The OLIPOP Inc. leadership team is composed of visionary founders, seasoned executives, and innovative strategists whose combined experience spans product development, finance, operations, and marketing. This diverse and collaborative management team drives OLIPOP’s success and culture, positioning the company as a category leader in functional, health-focused beverages. OLIPOP’s flat, agile organizational structure empowers leaders at every level to innovate and deliver value in the competitive beverage space.

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