David W. Lafond,
Ph.D. MBA

CEO and Chief Visionary Officer


Dave brings to Celesta almost 43 years of experience in food research and development. He founded Lafond Food Technology, LLC, a consulting company focused on identifying unmet consumer needs to create technologies and new business opportunities that position clients for success.

His celebrated career has included positions with Kraft, Quaker Oats, Keebler, and executive positions at the Kellogg Company. He has led innovation pipelines, strategic development, technology scouting, and product-to-market initiatives across food and beverage, health and nutrition, pet food, and cannabinoid ingredient industries.

He holds a Ph.D. in Food Science from Michigan State University and an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School, with emphasis in finance and marketing.