With over 25 years of CPG experience, from Fortune 500 companies to small startups, Dr. Ooka’s experience ranges from product development to sourcing and supply chain transformation. Akemi led chemical procurement at Clorox, formulation and fragrance development at method, and product development and commercialization at J.R. Watkins. Her experience includes overseeing formulation and product design, quality, regulatory compliance, claim support, procurement, innovation sourcing, and contract manufacturing across personal care, home care, and FDA and EPA-regulated categories. At the Independent Beauty Association, Akemi developed IBA’s supply chain and sustainability resource programming before taking on the Interim CEO role in 2025. Dr. Ooka holds a B.A. in Chemistry from Rutgers University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from UCLA.