We measure success by the satisfaction of our clients. That’s why our tight-knit group of food industry professionals brings their extensive knowledge, creativity, and entrepreneurial experience to every project as if it were their own.
Ingredient Sourcing Specialist
Kitchen Assistant
© 2025 Helmsman Group | All Rights Reserved
© 2025 Helmsman Group | All Rights Reserved
Mark is a self-proclaimed foodie who’s been active in the food industry since his teens. His professional background includes leading entrepreneurial high-growth brands, executive management within multinational corporations and founding his own contract manufacturing business.
After 30+ years of helping natural and organic companies grow, Mark has a unique perspective that blends entrepreneurial passion and disciplined experience into power-play strategies that help brands achieve their full potential. At The Helmsman Group, Mark and his team apply this strategic consultative approach to help accelerate high-potential food and beverage brands via Innovation and new product development.
As an investor and advisor, Mark supports organizations that empower the global organic and natural foods industry. He’s committed to nurturing the next generation of food industry leaders through his work with Christie & Co’s Gang of Good, Silverwood Partners and the Education Research Institute, a non-profit affiliate of Food Northwest.
Ishan brings to Helmsman a decade of startup experience building software products. During his career, he has grown engineering teams, managed technical debt, developed architecture for scale, and improved the revenue process. He currently leads a group of Natural Language Processing researchers and engineers who are pioneering state-of-the-art research in the field of requirements engineering. Ishan regularly publishes in peer-reviewed publications like IEEE and ACM at international venues and has also held executive positions in multiple startups.
Lilly has spent her career in all-things food, working as an Event Director in a thriving local hotel and restaurant in Downtown Portland at the start of her career connected her with the food industry professionals and clients she loves working with. She received a master’s degree from Portland State in Sustainability Education, which re-directed her career. In the last ten years she has shifted to a focus on community-based food systems, as the Operations Director for a locally sourced grocery delivery start-up, a project manager leading an ERP rollout to enhance supply chain transparency for small ranchers in Oregon, and co-founder/operator of an urban farm, expanding community access to fresh produce through a successful CSA program. Lilly has a background in operations management, driving efficiency and systems change, and has worked with startup organizations in the food and beverage sector, focusing on team leadership and sustainable business practices.
Brian Shimada is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Food Scientist with nine years of experience in new product development. He specializes in delivering innovative, on-trend product formulations across a broad spectrum of food applications. At Snak King Inc., he collaborated on a variety of snack items, optimizing formulations from concept to commercialization. His previous roles include R&D Process Technologist at Juicero Inc. and Lead Food Technologist at Elite Spice Inc., where he honed his skills in developing seasoning formulations for diverse applications. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Science with an emphasis in Sensory Science from the University of California, Davis.
Alex is an experienced food scientist and product development expert with over a decade of success in the food and beverage industry. With a background in Food Science and Technology from Oregon State University and a minor in Chemistry, Alex has contributed to renowned brands including Pacific Foods, Starbucks, and Betty Lou’s. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams, managing complex projects, and driving innovation from concept to commercialization, Alex excels at solving challenges and delivering results.
Alex brings deep expertise in regulatory compliance, process improvement, and cost optimization, with a strong track record of developing new products, improving operations, and mentoring teams. Passionate about creating high-quality, consumer-focused products, Alex combines technical knowledge with creative problem-solving to drive business success.
With over 20 years in the food industry, Maile Kahn has led innovation, commercialization, and operations across the CPG landscape. Armed with a Food Science degree and an MBA from UC Davis, Maile blends hands-on expertise with strategic vision to help brands tackle complex challenges and seize new market opportunities. She played a key role in launching Three Bridges Egg Bites into Costco, delivering multi-million-dollar growth. During the pandemic, she secured critical imports like toilet paper, ensuring supply chain continuity under unprecedented challenges. She has also developed solutions to streamline sourcing and product lifecycle management, optimizing efficiency for growing brands. With a track record of transforming challenges into opportunities, Maile partners with brands to navigate complexity, scale smartly, and build a competitive edge.
Nic brings a dynamic background in marketing, UX/UI design, and organizational communications, with experience spanning high-traffic social media campaigns, personalized content strategies, website optimization, and email marketing. Before joining The Helmsman Group, Nic honed his skills in the fast-paced world of music radio and athletics, driving audience engagement through innovative promotional strategies. Passionate about storytelling and brand differentiation, Nic believes that if you’re not truly excited about what you promote, no one else will be. He is dedicated to helping businesses stand out by crafting compelling narratives and strategic marketing initiatives that resonate with the right audience.
Carly brings an educational and professional background in sales and food science. Carly currently acts as The Helmsman Group’s Business Development Representative, offering client and new project support. With hands on work experience in product development, quality assurance, and recruiting, Carly’s approach focuses on adding holistic value to clients and representatives across all food and manufacturing industries. Carly graduated with a Food Science and Packaging degree from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, and currently resides in Los Angeles.
Grace is a dynamic, goal-oriented problem solver with a knack for optimizing systems and streamlining processes. With a strong background in inventory management, project coordination, and stakeholder alignment, she thrives on tackling complex challenges and finding efficient solutions. Grace’s ability to identify and respond to trends instinctively allows her to drive impactful results in fast-paced environments.
Before joining The Helmsman Group, Grace managed international procurement and supplier performance at API International, where she developed tracking systems and process improvements to enhance operational efficiency. At ZoomCare, she played a critical role in sourcing and distributing medical PPE during the pandemic, ensuring clinic operations remained uninterrupted. She also collaborated with the CDC to establish some of the first COVID testing facilities in the U.S. With expertise in supply chain management, process development, and cross-functional collaboration, Grace brings a strategic and solutions-driven mindset to every project she takes on.
Daniel brings nearly two decades of experience in the restaurant industry, equipping him with a deep understanding of culinary execution. His meticulous attention to detail and refined techniques have been shaped by a diverse range of culinary experiences, from family-owned soul food establishments to high-end fine dining.
Driven by his ambition to one day open his own restaurant, Daniel is deeply committed to delivering the highest quality products for his clients. He recognizes the importance of passion and authenticity in every dish, ensuring that each creation reflects both his expertise and dedication to excellence.
