A TRANSFORMATIVE EFFECT
Stephanie Trachtenberg sits down with Finlays Solutions’ new VP of R&D: Kathy Timperman
Through Kathy Timperman’s R&D leadership, Finlays Solutions is transforming its approach to R&D, focused on consumer-driven, science-backed innovation that elevates natural beverages with modern functionality and strategic collaboration.
In this conversation with Stephanie Trachtenberg, Finlays Solutions' Senior Manager, Brand Marketing and Communications, Kathy shares her vision for R&D, her career journey, and why now is the most exciting time to be reimagining what beverages can deliver.
I was drawn to Finlays Solutions because of the quality of our ingredients and the strength of our product portfolio — we’re playing right in the sweet spot of categories that are growing and evolving. But beyond the products, it was the opportunity to shape our innovation pipeline and research agenda that excited me. There’s a real momentum here, and being part of growing the R&D organization — developing best-in-class talent, building out research programs, and enhancing facilities — was a chance I couldn’t pass up.
Our vision is clear: category and consumer-driven concepts that excite customers, leverage technology that only we can provide, and drive long-term partnerships and business growth. I want us to focus on doing the right things — and doing them better than anyone else. Success will be creating transformational, seriously delicious products — the kind you see on a retail shelf and proudly say, "We did that!"
Finlays Solutions already has a strong foundation in natural in-gredients — energy, phytonutrients, healthful bioactives. While clinical claims aren't part of our immediate strategy, we can — and will — ensure consistent delivery of key nutrients and a deep understanding of ingredient composition. It’s about balancing functionality and natural integrity, delivering on consumer expectations for clean labels without compromising on innovation.
We’re building out a technology roadmap anchored by what we call “North Star” ambitions — big, business-aligned goals that give the whole organization something to rally around. In parallel, we’re developing a stronger external ecosystem — tapping into academic partnerships, startups, and technical collaborators to help us reach those goals faster and smarter.
We’re fostering deeper collaboration between marketing and R&D to create truly customer-centric innovation sessions. We’re also piloting an AI project with our IT team to build predictive models that integrate analytical, sensory, and consumer data. There’s a lot of exciting change happening.
Success will be creating transformational, seriously delicious products — the kind you see on a retail shelf and proudly say, “We did that!”
We’ve always been focused on flavor and ingredient transparency, but we’re doubling down. We’re gaining a deeper understanding of ingredient composition and leaning into functional benefits, so we can better communicate health attributes and create products that genuinely meet consumer wellness needs. Since bringing botanicals into our portfolio, our R&D team has been hard at work conducting experiments and sensory evaluations to build expertise — and that knowledge helps us support our customers even better.
Stress management is a big one — and not just in supplements, but in everyday beverages. Also, 'permissible indulgence' — consumers want to treat themselves, but they want to feel good about it. And lastly, the idea of food — or beverage — as medicine is gaining serious traction. It’s all about helping consumers feel empowered in their choices.
One example I’m really proud of is Project Cartera — proactively building the product pipeline for our Vendor of Record program. The team developed over 14 product formulations for two contract manufacturing locations, while assessing critical performance metrics such as shelf life, cost, and customer interest. By getting ahead of customer needs, we’ve been able to design better products and speed up commercialization timelines. It’s a great example of where we’re heading — proactive, strategic, and focused on creating real market value.
I want to build a strong, passionate technical team — one that has the resources, the skills, and the energy to create lasting innovation. I hope to foster an environment where discovery and collaboration thrive, and where our creativity, scientific knowledge, and leading-edge tech-nology build a reputation in the industry that we can all be proud of.
And one more thing — if we can find the right partner, can we please launch an RTD espresso martini? (laughs) I think the world needs that.
