Backstories matter.

I am a “feisty underdog” with a passion for helping brands become… memorable. I believe that comes from my upbringing as one of 13 kids (10 adopted) with parents who both had thriving businesses (one with a PhD!) and were married 53 years. They never (EVER) gave up. Marketing is about making a connection with people and I am fortunate to have been well-trained to become the innovative leader I am today.

Tristan is a dynamic senior marketing executive and top Corporate Officer, specializing in the fresh, natural and organic consumer packaged goods (CPG) categories, with over 25 years of experience throughout the supply chain…from retailer to processor, manufacturer to farmer and everywhere in between!

Tristan is currently Founder and CEO of tristanmichele™ a fractional marketing team specializing in branding, marketing, communications and innovation.

Since launching her own firm, Tristan led several brand refresh initiatives as Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at Nichols Farms®, one of the largest tree nut processors in Central Valley California and Chief Marketing Officer of Monrovia®, the nation’s leading grower of premium ornamental and landscaping plants in the United States, where she is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive marketing strategy.

Prior to Monrovia, Tristan spent close to 7 years at Ready Pac Foods®, premier producer of convenience fresh foods, where she was Chief Marketing Officer in providing strategic leadership and ownership in driving the 30+ member Innovation Team of the $850 million CPG company. She was a key member of the “turnaround team,” leading to successful transaction in partnership with PE firm (HIG/Capital), resulting in company acquisition with 11 times EBITDA and 40% industry premium. Tristan oversaw the marketing, research and development (R&D), corporate communications and creative functions. She established digital and social media platforms, and led transformational strategy to integrate into consumer brand engagement.

Before Ready Pac Foods, Tristan has worked in a variety of multi-channel Marketing, Innovation and Business Development roles for many high-profile brands, including Smart & Final, Roll Corporation (Sunkist®), Nancy’s Specialty Foods, Frieda’s Specialty Produce, Sun Pacific (Cuties® California Clementines), Green Giant Fresh® and Pandol Bros.

Tristan has a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and her MBA from the University of Southern California (USC) Marshall School of Business.