Tewksbury-Based Walden Local Meat Co. Names Nancy Pak New CEO

TEWKSBURY, MA — Walden Local Meat Co., a Tewksbury-based company that delivers food from local farms to its member families, has announced the hiring of a new Chief Executive Officer.

Nancy Pak joins the company after what Walden Local said in a statement was an "extensive search to find someone who demonstrated leadership experience scaling mission-driven brands without sacrificing their core purpose."

Pak most recently served as president of North American Ventures for Mondelēz International, one of the world's largest snacks companies. Before that, she was the CEO for Mondelēz International-owned Tate's Bake Shop.

Earlier in her career, Pak spent more than 20 years at Colgate-Palmolive, where she eventually served as vice president and general manager of Tom's of Main, the maker of natural toothpaste, deodorant, body care and baby care products.

"I am delighted and honored to be the new leader of Walden Local and to carry its mission and 'local first' business approach forward," Pak said. "As a transformative leader in regenerative agriculture, Walden Local stands for much more than just its delicious food, it has a long-standing commitment to partner farmers in the Northeast and is a testament to how a business can have a lasting impact on its surrounding communities and the food industry.

Pak continued: "I look forward to accelerating Walden Local's presence in households across the Northeast and championing its commitment to improving our environment."

Walden Local said it currently serves more than 30,000 member families and partners with nearly 100 local farms. The company said it is committed to supplying 100-percent grass-fed beef and other pasture-raised meat from nearby principled farms.

Charley Cummings, board chair and founder of Walden Local Meat Co., said that during the CEO search it was important to identify somebody who would protect the company's values and culture, while also growing the company.

"Walden Local has always been a very deliberately values-driven company, with a strongly collaborative culture," Cummings said. "(Pak) believes in the core ethos and impact-driven strategy of the company. After a focused search, Walden's board and I are very excited to have her lead Walden Local's next chapter and partner with her to continue to grow our region's pasture-based agriculture."