Title: Owner and Managing Partner
Company: C. Karahadian & Associates LLC
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Carol Karahadian, PhD, owner and managing partner at C. Karahadian & Associates LLC, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Business Owners for dedication, achievements, and leadership in consulting services.
With over three and a half decades of experience to her credit, Ms. Karahadian has carved out a distinguished career in the field of food and flavor chemistry. She currently excels as the owner and managing partner of C. Karahadian & Associates LLC, a consulting business she established in 2017, focusing on sensory and consumer science. In this role, she specializes in sensory training and works with both large and startup companies to develop programs that train expert panelists in taste and smell. She provides the necessary tools and expertise to establish and implement these programs successfully. Prior to her current role, she served as the director of product and process technology and sensory at Starbucks Coffee Company from 2014 to 2017 and as the director of global sensory from 2011 to 2017. Before her tenure at Starbucks, she was the vice president of global sensory at Firmenich SA from 1995 to 2011, where she spent nearly 20 years developing sensory and consumer science programs across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Her extensive career also includes academic contributions as an assistant professor at the University of Maryland and Purdue University.
Laying a solid foundation for her future success, Ms. Karahadian pursued an education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she earned a master’s degree followed by a PhD in food science and flavor chemistry in 1986. In addition to her primary vocation, she has maintained her involvement with the American Chemical Society, the Institute of Food Technologists, and the Society of Sensory Professionals. She has also served as a board member for Saint Francis Living Room since 2019 and for the board of visitors at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, demonstrating her commitment to civic engagement and community service. In light of her impressive undertakings, she has accrued several accolades throughout her career. She was recognized as the Woman of the Year by Women in Flavor and Fragrance Commerce Inc. in 2013 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Department of Foods and Nutrition at Purdue University in 2017.
Another highlight of Ms. Karahadian’s career is her passion for mentoring and teaching. She takes great pride in her ability to inspire and guide others, maintaining strong connections with her students and colleagues, and always being ready to provide the support and guidance they need to succeed. She attributes her remarkable achievements to the unwavering support and guidance of her parents and her esteemed professor during her doctoral program. Looking ahead, she aims to solidify her legacy as a mentor and educator while making a positive impact through volunteer work. She plans to transition from business and focus more on giving back to the community. When advising aspiring professionals, she emphasizes the importance of loving what you do, being persistent and patient, and continuously learning along the way.
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