Michele Paz  is the R&D Director with a global background in the food and beverage industry. She leads a team of passionate scientists in the product development team at Califia Farms, where she drives strategic innovation & renovation initiatives in the plant-based beverage space.

Over the past decade, Michele has held a variety of leadership roles in the food industry, working across diverse markets in Latin America and Europe. Her expertise spans product innovation, reformulation, sensory science, and cross-functional collaboration. With a foundation in Food Engineering and an MBA in Marketing, she brings a unique balance of technical depth and strategic perspective. She is passionate about the future of food and is particularly focused on shaping the next generation of dairy alternatives that meet the needs of both people and the planet.