Jamba Dunn
Blending creativity with scientific discipline to drive product innovation. Proven track record in leading R&D initiatives, pioneering manufacturing processes, and delivering commercially successful products. Expertise in flavor innovation, botanical research, and transforming scientific discoveries into market-leading offerings. Passionate about branding, manufacturing, and packaging design, with a keen eye for detail and an insatiable curiosity to turn ambitious visions into reality.
LEADERSHIP & LEGACY
I reinvented a 2,000-year-old beverage to suit the tastes of a modern generation.
Rowdy Mermaid was launched in 2013, following years of R&D to produce the world’s first low-acid, low-sugar, caffeine-free, non-alcoholic, botanically enhanced kombucha in a marketplace challenged by a lack of scientific rigor and a formulaic approach to marketing.
My three-year-old daughter was my first product tester. Through her experience with my homebrewed product, I saw an opportunity in the kombucha market. I left my job designing language learning software at Rosetta Stone to create a product that would allow her—and others—to enjoy a healthful beverage without the dangers of high alcohol and caffeine content or harmful contaminants. Rowdy Mermaid soon emerged as one of the fastest-growing kombucha manufacturing companies in the world, catching the attention of the beverage industry and major retailers.
Over the past 11 years as the Founder and CEO of Rowdy Mermaid, I’ve led a team dedicated to innovating within the functional beverage space. Together, we introduced novel manufacturing and laboratory processes, as well as unique botanical-based functions. Our collaborative efforts led to industry-first achievements, such as aluminum packaging and one of the world’s first kombucha taprooms. By embracing unexpected flavor combinations and iconic minimalist branding, we successfully broadened the appeal of a niche beverage. Our teamwork has been instrumental in driving these innovations and revolutionizing the category.
Rowdy Mermaid has earned many accolades, including the BevNet Best New Product and the Nexty Award, and has been celebrated by trade publications such as Forbes, US Magazine, and global retailers like Whole Foods.
My dedication to ethical sourcing, sustainable practices, and innovative product development has established me as a thought leader in the functional beverage industry, where I’ve successfully raised over $14M capital from angels and private equity to transform a regional brand into a national powerhouse. I’m passionate about collaborating with talented professionals to solve challenges in product development, manufacturing, branding, and marketing.
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
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Successfully brought dozens of SKUs to market
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Functional Beverage Innovation
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Brand Strategy and Positioning
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Scientific and Technical Expertise
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Ingredient Sourcing
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Extensive Manufacturing Experience
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Product Packaging
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Trademark, Copyright, Patents
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Public Speaking and Brand Promotion
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Market Expansion​​
PUBLIC RELATIONS
PERSONAL INTERVIEWS
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ROWDY MERMAID PR
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EXPERIENCE
2012 - Present
Founder & CEO
ROWDY MERMAID
Pioneer in Industry Innovations: Launched Rowdy Mermaid and transformed it from a startup into a national leader in the functional beverage sector. Spearheaded groundbreaking innovations in kombucha, including caffeine-free, adaptogen-infused, certified alcohol-free, and low-calorie options, setting new industry benchmarks. Collaborated with key government institutions such as the FDA, TTB, the State of Colorado, and former Representative Jared Polis to secure the first U.S. license for alcoholic kombucha. Introduced the mental health beverage "Good Mood Soda" and developed unique products for retailers, including Beta Glucan hydration sachets, Ghostbiotic beverages, Lion’s Mane Tea, and Collagen Energy.
Brand Visionary: Crafted an iconic brand that resonated with consumers, elevating Rowdy Mermaid to national brand. Pioneered the kombucha industry’s transition to aluminum packaging, aligning with sustainability practices. Championed organic and kosher certifications and implemented a “Healthy Systems” approach to support ethical and regenerative sourcing.
Scientific Approach to Product Development: Worked with an internal team to craft a novel enzymatic fermentation process to ensure consistent product quality while adhering to FDA and TTB regulations. Established an in-house genetics laboratory to monitor genetic drift and wild yeast contamination, ensuring product safety. Filed patents for ethanol control in kombucha fermentation and composition of matter. Created the PureCulture process for fermentation using house-raised organic yeast strains, ensuring organic and gluten-free substrates.
Revenue and Growth Leadership: Navigated the company through rapid growth, scaling operations to support a $20M output. Achieved millions in annual revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing resilience and strategic agility. Transitioned in-house manufacturing to a co-packing model, reducing production costs by approximately $0.40 per unit.
Team Building and Management: Built and led a high-performing management team, fostering a culture of innovation, excellence, and collaboration. Implemented a co-packing model, optimizing production efficiency and profitability.
Market and Product Expansion: Expanded the brand’s portfolio with pioneering functional beverages, including mushroom beta-glucan drinks and ashwagandha-based Good Mood Soda, amplifying Rowdy Mermaid’s impact in the wellness sector.
2008-2013
Worlds & American English Content Designer
ROSETTA STONE
Led the creative and strategic development of American English stories for a subscription-based audience of tens of thousands of English language learners. Authored original content that was translated into multiple languages. Collaborated with language experts to craft templates from English translations, ensuring cultural relevance and engagement. Transitioned to the Writing Team in 2010, where I played a key role in high-profile projects, including sense-tagging for an online dictionary and designing a First Responder course for Spanish speakers.
As a member of the Social Apps Team, I harnessed my creativity to develop innovative online language games for Totale and rWorld, Rosetta Stone's public learning platform. In 2011, I transitioned to the Social Worlds team, developing cutting-edge educational games across all major Rosetta Stone product areas.
2005-2007
Adjunct English Professor
NAROPA UNIVERSITY & CO. COLLEGES
1999-2003
1996-1999
Manager
THE WORLD WITHOUT WAR COUNCIL
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Media Philosophy
EGS, Saas Fee, Canton of Wallis, Switzerland
Magna Cum Laude
MFA Creative Writing
Naropa University
Cum Laude
Jack Kerouac Award in Writing
BA ISF | Egyptology
University of California Berkeley
Cum Laude
Certificate: American Studies Institute
AA History
Cabrillo College
Honors