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Lisa Curtis
Founder & CEO at Kuli Kuli Inc.
Lisa Curtis is the Founder and CEO of Kuli Kuli Inc., a pioneering company in the United States that specializes in moringa-based food products. Moringa is recognized for its high nutritional value, often described as a superfood due to its rich content of protein, vitamins, and antioxidants. Curtis founded Kuli Kuli after her experience in the Peace Corps in Niger, where she witnessed the health benefits of moringa firsthand while working in a local health center. This experience inspired her to create a business that not only introduces this nutritious plant to American consumers but also supports small farmers, particularly women, in West Africa by sourcing moringa directly from them.135
Under her leadership since 2011, Kuli Kuli has grown significantly, with its products now available in over 11,000 stores across the U.S. Curtis has successfully raised more than $10 million from various investors, including notable names like Kellogg and Griffith Foods. Her commitment extends beyond business; she aims to plant millions of moringa trees and provide sustainable income opportunities for farmers.234
In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Curtis has an impressive background in public service and communications. She previously worked as a Communications Director at Mosaic, where she helped grow the company significantly, and served in various roles that included writing political briefings for President Obama and advising the United Nations Environment Programme. Her contributions have earned her recognition as a StartingBloc Fellow and inclusion in Forbes' 30 Under 30 list among other accolades.134
Curtis is also an active writer and speaker on topics related to social entrepreneurship and sustainable development, contributing articles to platforms like Forbes and Inc. Magazine.34
Highlights
Currently melting into my chair at the airport after three sales meetings in three days in three different states.
BUT still smiling because I LOVE the opportunity to tell the Kuli Kuli Foods story in-person. And because I’m pretty sure this week just added $5-$7M to our annual revenue 😉
There is truly nothing better than the feeling of a sales win. Even when you’re totally exhausted.
It's hard for me to say Happy Mother's Day.
Amid the flurry of cards and flowers, I can't help but think about America's $1.6 trillion annual gender wage gap, the well-documented motherhood promotion penalty, and the growing cost of childcare that has pushed millions of mothers out of the workforce. It feels incredulous that in a society that professes equality we have yet to elect a woman president or achieve anything resembling gender parity among Fortune 500 CEOs. (We're currently celebrating 10.8%)
I love my children, and yet I struggle with the expectations of motherhood. How does anyone work a full day, get dinner ready by 6pm, and still have the mental capacity to navigate toddler bedtime negotiations without completely exploding? I have a beyond equal parenting partner, incredibly involved grandparents, a nanny, and a preschool, and yet it always feels like we're just barely holding it together. How the heck does everyone else do it???
Let's do more than celebrate moms one day a year. Let's hire them, support them, promote them, and elect them. None of us would be here without them. Let's start acting like they truly matter.
#happymothersday #hiremoms #promotemoms #womenintheworkforce #femalefounders #momceo #mothersday #workforceequality #equalpay
