Suzanne Simon co-founded Chaia after identifying a niche market for plant-based, seasonal and urban street-style food. Simon has her B.S. in Environmental Science from Ohio University and a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University. She previously worked as an editor for John Wiley & Sons and as an environmental consultant. She is a recipient of the James Beard Foundation’s Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership program fellowship award, developed and hosted by Babson College. Simon is also a member of the Halcyon House Nest initiative for entrepreneurs and business leaders, a mentor within the James Beard Foundation’s women leadership program, and an advisor for the George Washington University’s Women in Business conference series. Chaia has three locations within the Washington, DC, area.