Akemi Ooka

Akemi Ooka is currently the head of global supply chain resources at the Independent Beauty Association. In this role, Akemi is responsible for creating supply chain and sustainability programming that supports small to mid-sized businesses in and around the beauty sector. In collaboration with industry committee members, Akemi curates and develops educational content, builds networking opportunities, and helps to inform and advocate for small business on legislative and regulatory matters in the supply chain and sustainability space.

Prior to their current role, Akemi served as the vice president of products at The J.R. Watkins Co., where they were responsible for developing and executing product and innovation strategy for the company's household cleaning, personal care, and OTC businesses with a focus on sustainability and growth. In this role, Akemi oversaw all aspects of product development, including formula and packaging, scale-up, claims, and support of base and new business.

Before joining The J.R. Watkins Co., Akemi served as the innovation sourcing manager at The Clorox Company. In this role, Akemi was responsible for leading the development and implementation of Clorox's innovation sourcing strategy across all categories.

Akemi has a passion for supporting small businesses and believes that supply chain and sustainability programming can have a positive impact on the beauty industry as a whole.

Akemi Ooka has a PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles in Chemistry, which they obtained in 1999. Akemi also has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-New Brunswick, which they obtained in 1993.

Akemi Ooka is the head of Global Supply Chain Resources. Arnyae Neal is the director of marketing and membership development. Meredith Petillo is the senior director of technical and regulatory affairs. Caroline Santayana is the director of strategic operations.