Kim Malek

KIM MALEK is the founder and CEO of Salt & Straw Ice Cream. Since founding the company in 2011, Malek has built Salt & Straw from a humble ice cream cart into a fast-growing company with 30 locations while retaining its bones as a family-run company. Malek is a champion for causes such as childhood hunger and equal rights through initiatives. Prior to launching Salt & Straw, Malek held positions at Starbucks Coffee, Yahoo!, adidas and Gardenburger. She also worked with Bono of U2 on an online music service (RED) and with Seattle’s Cupcake Royale. In 2014, Malek received the Portland Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award, and in 2017 was recognized by Basic Rights Oregon as an Equality Advocate Honoree. That same year, Malek interviewed Vice President Joe Biden for his “Promise Me, Dad” nationwide book tour. Additionally, Malek has been named to Inc magazine’s 100 Female Founders list of entrepreneurs, the Cherry Bombe 100 list featuring female leaders in the culinary space, and Nation’s Restaurant News’ Power List.