After working for some of the largest household names in beauty Karina started The Avana House in 2018 in hopes to create an agency that better advocated for the representation of diverse backgrounds and innovative ideas in media.

Working to redefine the American palette and celebrate heritage-inspired foods is also a large part of Karina’s mission. To further support this work, she recently Co-founded The New American Table, a coalition of industry veterans, founders, and venture capitalists that create systems to break barriers and in the food system. By putting in the work and playing a role in creating more equity in these spaces it is her hope that women of color, immigrants, and queer persons always know their story is worth sharing.

The name Avana is an homage to her immigrant and entrepreneur parents who were born in Havana, Cuba.

During this episode of The Food Means Business Podcast, we discuss:⁠

• Karina’s unconventional journey 
• The power of telling stories that celebrate culture and change the narrative for immigrants and people of color 
• Changing the landscape of food and expanding beyond the typical ethnic island
• Leaning into your personal story to differentiate your brand

Connect with Karina:

• Instagram: @theavanahouse
• Karina on LinkedIn
• Website: theavanahouse.com  

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