MVP NUTRA
Meet the Team
Tim Avila
Managing Partner
Tim is a leading authority in the global nutrition industry, blending 30 years of experience in the discovery, validation and marketing of bioactive ingredients and consumer packaged nutrition products. He specializes in providing global Fortune 500 companies with business and product development knowledge regarding dietary supplements, natural and organic foods and consumer products and services.
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Tim founded Systems Bioscience Inc., as well as Zero Worries Foods Inc. manufacturer and distributor of ZSWEET® brand all natural and USDA Certified Organic zero calorie tabletop sweetener. ZSweet is the pioneering formulation in the blending of all-natural ingredients and the first to use erythritol.
He has a 20+ year tenure as Senior Executive Advisor to the New Hope Network. Most recently, Tim has collaborated with New Hope Network on the development of their Venture, Entrepreneur and Investor/Acquirer platforms. Tim's list of past clients includes Cargill, Nestle', Procter & Gamble, Mars Inc. and many others.
Based in California, Tim passionately and creatively pushes boundaries for the industry and maintains a global network of radical innovators. Recently, early-stage ventures have been a focus with projects ranging from a raft of start-ups, incubator concepts and other industry-wide ‘farm system’ activities, leading to successful new brands and companies. He is also an original founding member of the Nutrition Capital Network and volunteers his expertise to the Naturally Network locally and nationally.
David Lakey
Co-Founder
David brings years of experience in C-level general management, marketing and sales in the CPG and nutritional ingredient industries. Starting with a decade of increasingly responsible national sales and marketing positions at The Clorox Company, he later pursued leadership roles in natural and nutritional companies including president/CEO at Bergstrom Nutrition and Oregon Fruit Products LLC.
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David established new consumer brands, added divisions, launched new products and established licensees in key countries around the world. David has particular expertise in the North American ingredient market, leading sales and brand growth across categories including joint health, immune, sports nutrition, stress and cognitive function.
Based in California, his relevant consulting assignments include developing new markets for a vertically integrated plant protein producer, and advising a venture funded nutraceutical startup on both B2B and B2C market entries. Also active in mainstream food products, he has led expansion and profitability initiatives in fruitprocessing, refrigerated prepared foods and private label. David offers his time and expertise as a founding member of Naturally San Diego.
Jacqueline Jacques
Consulting Partner
With over two decades of experience in the medical nutrition and wellness industries, Dr. Jacques is a results-driven entrepreneur and executive with experience in both medicine and industry who consistently bridges the gap to drive organizational success.
Jacqueline currently works as a top-tier industry consultant with clients ranging from consumer product start-ups to multinational ingredient suppliers, supporting them in innovation and strategic growth. Her clients range from innovative biotech startups to well-established ingredient companies and brands. She has unique expertise in product development, regulatory affairs, medical affairs, and business development.
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Most recently, she was Chief Research Officer at Thorne Health Tech Inc. Prior to Thorne, she was co-founder of Bariatric Advantage, which made a successful exit in 2010 to Metagenics, Inc. She is the author of the book Micronutrition for the Weight Loss Surgery Patient and has contributed to numerous other scientific and professional publications.
Jacqueline received her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine and is a Fellow of the Obesity Society.
Our Collaborators
Our vast network of industry specialists and thought leaders give our clients access to diverse and specific skills to help them grow. With more than 70 years combined experience, our principals know how and where to partner to build an effective virtual team.
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