Matthew Ryan serves as chief executive officer (CEO) at Soli Organic, focusing on strengthening the company’s competitive advantages and achieving scaled topline growth. Soli Organic is the leading grower and marketer of fresh organic culinary herbs in the United States, providing sustainable, USDA-certified organic, regionally grown produce to retailers coast-to-coast. The Rockingham, Virginia-based company has developed the nation’s largest commercial indoor organic growing systems and continues to redefine how to bring fresh, organic, and sustainably farmed produce to market – operating across a nationally integrated platform of farms, production, and logistics facilities.

Matt formerly served as chief marketing officer for Starbucks.  In this role, he led the marketing, brand, and product functions and was accountable for ensuring that the customer is at the heart of everything Starbucks does.  Matt’s specific responsibilities included the development and execution of marketing plans, and management of the food and beverage portfolio including new product development, digital customer experience innovation, creative and brand management, data analytics, and consumer insights.

Prior to serving as CMO, Matt served as Starbucks’ chief strategy officer, with responsibilities for the enterprise’s long-term strategic planning process; identifying new avenues for growth; and sharpening customer relationship management, loyalty, and digital capabilities. 

Before joining Starbucks in May 2013, Matt was senior vice president of a global brand, franchise, and customer relationship management for The Walt Disney Company. In this role, Matt led the stewardship and development of Disney’s global brand equity across the company. He provided consumer input into the company’s long-term strategic planning, oversaw the development and cultivation of character franchises, and led the development of enterprise customer relationship management programs.  He has also held strategic planning roles with several national and international advertising agencies. 

Matt holds a bachelor’s degree in history and literature, magna cum laude, from Harvard University.  He current serves on the Kaiser Permanente board of directors, and is a member of the finance and quality health improvement committees.