Business Magnate Assumes Presidency at Slutty Vegan, Overseen by Pinky Cole
Meet the Powerhouse Behind Slutty Vegan
Pinky Cole Hayes' plant-based burger chain, Slutty Vegan, has a new president, Lauren Maillian. Maillian, a seasoned pro in tech, food, and beverage industries, fits this role like a glove. According to Black Enterprise, she joined the ranks on June 4.
For Maillian, this is more than just a job; it's a call to align with a vision. "This is also very personal for me... very synergistic with the life that I lead and allowing me to show up as Lauren Maillian wholly and fully in every part of my personal and professional life," she shared.
Cole welcomed the change, particularly with an all-woman staff. "Especially when I think about who I am to Black women entrepreneurs in America... I know it's gonna be great," she added.
Maillian and Cole's journey began at the John Hope Bryant Operation Hope conference in 2017. Their connection was instant, like business love at first sight. Maillian was excited at the prospect, "I remember even saying, like, 'Can I invest? Is there room for me?' I wanted to be a part of Pinky's vision."
Slutty Vegan is ready to grow, and Maillian's appointment is just the beginning. The company plans to revamp systems, stabilize, and then return to growth mode - CPG, hyper growth, scale, and verticals. With a push on steroids, the future looks bright.
A Glowing Career
Maillian is not just a consumer brand strategist but a tech startup investor, advisor, and award-winning marketer. Her career took off at 19 when she co-founded Sugarleaf Vineyards, an award-winning winery. Before the brand's acquisition in 2011, she served as the COO.
History was made when she became the first Black woman to start an early-stage venture capital fund at 26. Her investment portfolio has grown to over $5 billion in market capitalization. She's advised and invested in over 40 startups, generating more than $200 million in revenue.
Image: Lauren Maillian
Source:Black Enterprise, LMB Group
Enrichment Data:
Lauren Maillian is a renowned entrepreneur, known for her prowess in brand development, marketing, technology, and food and beverage industries. she is the founder and CEO of LMB Group, a firm that collaborates with early-stage startups and established global brands, helping them navigate growth and transformation. Recently, Maillian was appointed president of Slutty Vegan, making her the first Black woman to hold this position for the company.
Maillian's career spans over two decades, encompassing venture capital, media, and technology. She is celebrated for her knack for driving business transformation and growth, with notable achievements such as leading the turnaround of REVOLT, a nine-figure minority-owned media company.
In her new role at Slutty Vegan, Maillian will refine internal infrastructure, expand consumer packaged goods offerings, and launch new brick-and-mortar locations. She will also lead initiatives to modernize digital engagement and customer experience, leveraging her tech background to enhance consumer interaction with the brand.
Maillian’s appointment at Slutty Vegan signals a strategic shift toward innovation and expansion, with a focus on building scalable and replicable business models. Her partnership with founder Pinky Cole Hayes is rooted in shared experience and mutual vision, dating back nearly a decade and fostered through professional networks and business summits. Her leadership is marked by a commitment to elevating underrepresented voices in executive roles and advancing growth in the plant-based dining space.
- Lauren Maillian's appointment as the president of Slutty Vegan, a plant-based burger chain, signals a strategic shift towards innovation and expansion, with a focus on building scalable and replicable business models.
- As the first Black woman to hold the position of president for a company like Slutty Vegan, Maillian is not just a consumer brand strategist but a tech startup investor, advisor, and award-winning marketer, with an investment portfolio that has grown to over $5 billion in market capitalization.
