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Kate Toews

Associate PartnerChicago

Brings hands-on executive experience to support clients innovate and scale in the food industry

Kate has 20 years of food-industry experience, including almost ten as an executive in global companies and venture-backed start-ups. She is a leader in McKinsey’s alternative protein and fermentation work globally, serving clients on innovative food ingredients and consumer products.

Prior to McKinsey, Kate was the president of beverages at a global food-ingredients company, as well as the CEO and head of operations at two different venture-backed food start-ups. Throughout her executive tenure, she led company-building activities driven by technology innovation, new commercial models, and operational improvement.

Since joining McKinsey, she has led strategy development in R&D and innovation and helped clients scale-up through long-term partnerships by bringing new products to market. She is passionate about the intersection of sustainability, nutrition, and taste.

Published work

Novel proteins: Consumer appetite for sustainably made ingredients,” McKinsey & Company, March 2024

Top priorities for dairy executives in 2023,” McKinsey & Company, March 2023

Past Experience

Kerry
President, beverages
Vice president, strategic marketing

Air Protein
Chief of staff

Chefs for Seniors
CEO

Education

Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley
MBA

Brown University
BA