Jitendra Sagili serves as the Chief Innovation and Food Technology Officer at Maple Leaf Foods, where he leads transformative initiatives in food innovation, R&D, and sustainability. With nearly a decade of experience at Maple Leaf, he has played an integral role in advancing the company’s position as a leader in sustainable and high-quality food solutions. Prior to his current role, he served as Chief R&D and Food Technology Officer and as VP of Research, Development & Technology, where he drove product development and operational efficiency across North American markets. Jitendra’s industry expertise spans several prominent food companies, including OSI Group, where he was AVP of Research & Development, and Smithfield Foods, where he served in progressive R&D leadership roles. His early career began at ConAgra Foods, where he honed his skills as a Food Technologist and Senior Food Scientist, contributing to key projects in food innovation. A strong advocate for cellular agriculture, Jitendra also sits on the Board of Advisors for Tufts University’s Center for Cellular Agriculture. He holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, an M.S. in Animal Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a B.S. in Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry from Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University.