Meet Kaitlin Cushman

CPG Product Development with a Scientific Lens

I’m a product development and operations professional passionate about creating consumer products that are effective, clean, science-backed, and aligned with today’s wellness-focused lifestyles.

Born and raised in sunny San Diego, my love for food and nutrition began with a childhood full of baking experiments. That early curiosity led me to pursue a Bachelor’s in Foods & Nutrition and a Master’s in Nutritional Science from San Diego State University, where I focused my thesis on sensory science in children—studying how the pickiest of eaters experience food.

With over seven years of experience leading product development across food, dietary supplements, and personal care, I’ve brought dozens of consumer-driven products from concept to shelf—while also spearheading reformulations and scaling efforts for in-market SKUs. My work spans external innovation, formulation refinement, regulatory strategy, and manufacturing scale-up to drive sustainable growth and operational efficiency.

In leadership roles at companies like Dermazen and Nutritional Growth Solutions, I’ve led cross-functional teams to commercialize and scale everything from better-for-you snacks and children’s nutrition supplements to clean-label skincare and haircare. I’ve built strong vendor networks, streamlined processes, and bridged the gap between technical performance and consumer needs.

As the founder of TasteFluent Consulting LLC, I now partner with emerging and established brands to turn ideas into execution-ready product strategies. Whether refining formulations, advising on claims and compliance, or improving workflows and supply chains, I help teams move with clarity, confidence, and speed.

My philosophy? The hidden hero of product innovation is effective project and process management. In the CPG world, great ideas alone aren’t enough—successful innovation requires thoughtful execution. I believe the brands that win are the ones who not only dream boldly but deliver reliably. That’s where I come in: turning complexity into momentum, and helping brands bring truly great products to life.