Nicole Payne

Nicole Payne currently serves as the Manager of Innovation & Partnerships at VentureFuel, a position held since February 2025. Prior experience includes a role as Manager of Innovation at Inspire Brands, where Nicole led the commercialization of new menu and technology innovations across multiple brands, including a significant launch for Jimmy John’s. Responsibilities encompassed managing cross-functional teams, developing sustainable packaging solutions, and driving operational insights. Previous roles also include Manager of Packaging Innovation at Inspire Brands and Process Engineer at Georgia-Pacific LLC, focusing on digital printing applications and process optimization. Nicole's early experience includes internships at The Coca-Cola Company and AutomationDirect. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and Business Administration from Auburn University and participated in the Morning Brew Accelerator program.