An entrepreneur, creative scientist, speaker, and cultural explorer.

A personal note:
I'm probably somewhere daydreaming or being the founder of Journey Foods. Growing up in Evanston, a vibrant town adjacent to Chicago, shaped my creative perspective, while my teenage summers spent in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico expanded my global outlook and deepened my appreciation for diverse food cultures.

I focus on uniquely weaving food and nature into everything I touch, inspired by my grandfathers—Tuskegee-trained Air Force and supply chain men—and my grandmothers, who led the way in bringing yoga to the United States and inspired many with their gardens.

As a biologist turned serial entrepreneur, I've developed high-growth, internationally recognized technology and food businesses with a great community of supporters and bright individuals.

After two years in DC working in Obama's White House and another two years at Google and Venture Capital, I bring a unique lens to problem-solving. My accomplishments have been featured in nice lists and articles like MIT 35 under 35, CNBC, Forbes, USA Today, Wired, TechCrunch, and Entrepreneur Magazine, but they're not nearly as great as the family and friends I choose to laugh and eat with.

What keeps me going? I drive innovation talks and projects around the world. I build with passionate creatives. I design art projects inspired by food stories.

I am based in Atlanta, Chicago, and on the West Coast. I enjoy collecting art, investing in other founders, throwing immersive day parties, planting fruit trees, and supporting filmmakers. I love making playlists on Spotify that capture moments and moods. I am currently researching and drawing inspiration for an upcoming short film and book on Food and Culture. When I am on the road, I enjoy exploring black culinary and architectural heritage sites around the world.

To sum: I am grateful.

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Biography.

Riana Lynn, MPH is a visionary entrepreneur, storyteller, and AI consultant, dedicated to transforming the global food system through entrepreneurship and experiences. As the founder and CEO of Journey Foods, she leads the development of innovative, data-driven solutions that address critical nutrition and supply chain challenges that affect billions of people globally. Her work has earned her recognition as a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer, Google Entrepreneur-in-Residence, and led to over 230 speaking engagements at prestigious forums and universities, including Harvard, MIT, and the Dubai World Expo.

As the inventor of the first AI patent for generative recipes, her vision is ahead of its time. She is also one of the first women with an AI software patent. Under her leadership, Journey Foods and Journey Labs are setting new industry standards and paving the way for a more nutritious, fair, and efficient food system worldwide.

Riana’s commitment to business challenges is deeply intertwined with her focus on creative community building, ensuring that the future of food technology benefits everyone. Which is seen in her work as member of the Board of Directors for Adult Science Fair and StartOut.

Riana holds degrees and formal training in Biology, Chemistry, Anthropology, Black Studies, Public Health and Artificial Intelligence from University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Northwestern University, Depaul University, Columbia University, and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

She is an Atlanta-based entrepreneur from Evanston, Illinois (the greatest town in the USA) that enjoys collecting art, sitting on film and culture boards, unique real estate projects, growing fruit trees, collaborating with impact creatives, and exploring culinary and architectural heritage sites around the world.
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