Dr. Velissariou is a former Fortune 100 executive with global Food experience driving vision and strategy, operational excellence, and advocacy in high-impact organizations. Throughout her career she has been strategically focused on translating science and technology into scalable innovation solutions for growth and future proofing. She served as the Global Corporate R&D VP and Chief Science Officer (CSO) for Mars, as Chief Science and Technology Officer (CSTO) at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), and VP Global Nutrition R&D and VP Quaker Foods North America R&D at PepsiCo. She is motivated by business value creation combined with human, societal and environmental outcomes. An advocate for sustainable food systems, in 2023, she founded the eponymous consulting firm focusing on the intersection of Food, Climate and Health. 

She received a Ph.D. and M.S. in Biochemical Engineering from the University of Birmingham (UK), and a B.Eng. in Chemical Engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece). She also completed executive studies at Oxford University and Cornell University. She serves in various board and advisory positions and is a Senior Fellow at The Conference Board. In 2024, she was inducted in the Marquis Who’s Who in America. A native of Greece, she also holds USA and UK citizenships. She currently resides in Washington DC.