Phil Kafarakis

Meet a high-energy transformation leader with instant credibility and the network to deliver revenue, influence, and growth immediately. A proven leader of mission-driven organizations—someone who has modernized platforms, expanded partnerships, and increased relevance across the entire food ecosystem.Phil is a globally respected CEO, board director, and food industry executive with deep expertise across the entire food industry value chain, from harvesting, production and processing to food-away-from-home operations, consumer engagement, and policy. His career reflects decades of leadership within complex, multi-million-dollar organizations where strategic foresight, governance discipline, and industry fluency are essential. He is known for his ability to translate macro-level industry trends—including sustainability, trade, labor, regulation, and evolving consumer expectations—into practical governance and leadership decisions for nonprofits, NGOs, associations, and foundations. Boards value his capacity to contextualize risk, identify long-term opportunity, and guide organizations through periods of change with clarity and confidence.A recognized industry voice, Phil serves as a Forbes contributor and SchwabTV Network food industry analyst, offering insight on global food systems, market dynamics, and leadership implications for mission-driven organizations operating at scale. Beyond his work, he’ll tell you he is one more Greek immigrant living THE American Dream with an insatiable appetite for learning, exploring, and living the meaning of metamorphosis. Change and transformation have become passions in his life. Continually embracing the new – be it in attitude, understanding, business practice, or tech adoption – is what his journey is all about. Fascinated by the way people grow, consume, and market food – Phil’s career has always been at the intersection of food manufacturing, distribution, and multiple retail operations. Studying policy actions, domestically and globally as we attempt to feed a growing population while respecting our planet and its diverse people fascinates him. Fighting hunger and food insecurity is a personal passion that drives his industry leadership agenda. Above all, he celebrates technology and its disruptive impact in solving legacy problems - always studying what might be possible. Phil’s personal tagline is "Kali Orehxi," the Greek version of “bon appetit!” A belief that our appetites enable us to live full, adventurous, and satisfying lives - don't miss a chance at meeting Phil.