Just Food

Daily Newsletter

10 August 2023

Daily Newsletter

Cerebelly installs retail veteran Don Clark as CEO of baby-food business

Existing chief executive Greg Shearson is taking a step back from the role he held since 2020.

Cerebelly, a US-based producer of “cognitive-focused” baby food, has named retail executive Don Clark as its new CEO.

Clark, whose career encompasses Target, Whole Foods Market and Giant Eagle, replaces Greg Shearson, who has been CEO of the New York-based business since 2020.

Shearson, who helped secure an undisclosed amount of Series A funds in March, is returning to a position as an “investor and board member”, Cerebelly said in a statement.

Jointly set up in 2019 by Dr. Teresa Purzner, a practicing neurosurgeon with a PhD in developmental neurobiology from Stanford University, Cerebelly describes itself as the “first and only science-backed and patented, cognitive development-focused baby-food brand”.

The portfolio consists of organic and non-GMO baby meals, smoothies and snack bars with vegetables the core proposition. They are free of both dairy and gluten, with no added sugar. Cerebelly claims its food pouches contain “between 15 to 18 nutrients that support specific regions of the brain”.

Shearson said: “The timing is perfect for a gifted new leader to step into this role and prepare for the next chapter in the company's growth. Don exemplifies the rare type of leader that will take Cerebelly to the next level of performance as a pioneering and mission-led baby food company.”

Cerebelly’s products are sold in Whole Foods, Target, Meijer, Kroger, Walmart and Publix stores in the US and Canada, and also online via its own website, along with Amazon and Thrive Market.

Clark added: “I’m excited to bring a new perspective to the leadership role and integrate my passion for a purpose-driven brand in the health, wellness and nutrition category. Cerebelly’s mission and incredible growth over the last three years is a testimony to the strength of the brand as an industry leader.”

Knudsen Capital was one of the lead investors in the Series A round, Cerebelly said in March, alongside H Venture Partners, Imaginary Venture Capital Partners, Redcap Investments and Delaware-based investor Babybelly.

Brent Knudsen, the founder and a managing partner at San Francisco-based Knudsen Capital, is chairman of Cerebelly.

Generative AI remains an untapped potential across the consumer industry

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