Slutty Vegan has named tech executive Lauren Maillian as its new president, signaling the company’s latest chapter of expansion and innovation, Founder and CEO Pinky Cole Hayes announced.
According to Black Enterprise, the first outlet to break the news, Maillian officially stepped into the role on June 4, a strategic shift for the Atlanta, GA-based vegan fast-food chain.
The move, which Cole Hayes told the outlet is “Slutty Vegan 2.0,” comes after she recently reclaimed control of the company following a challenging stretch, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. Marked by a car accident and internal ownership issues, that chapter left her with some powerful lessons.
Starting a new leadership direction, Maillian is a seasoned entrepreneur who will bring a wealth of brand and marketing knowledge to the role, having spent over two decades working in venture capital, media, technology, and the food and beverage industries.
Cole Hayes told Black Enterprise that Maillian’s appointment makes her the first Black woman to serve as president of Slutty Vegan and only the second person to hold the role. At a time when Black women remain underrepresented in executive leadership, Cole Hayes said the move is both symbolic and strategic as she aims to redefine executive representation in the plant-based dining space.
Their partnership is nearly a decade in the making. The two first met at a 2017 Operation Hope conference and reconnected recently at ExcelerateHER, a business summit for women, according to Black Enterprise.
Under Maillian’s leadership, Slutty Vegan will focus on refining internal infrastructure, expanding consumer packaged goods offerings, and opening new brick-and-mortar locations. The company’s latest concept, VOAGIES, a plant-based sub-shop, is an early example of this broader growth plan.
Maillian will also lead the charge in digital engagement and customer experience, leveraging her tech background to modernize how consumers interact with the brand. From merchandise to social media interactions and in-store service, her goal is to build a scalable and replicable model for the company’s next phase.
With new leadership and a sharpened vision, Slutty Vegan is setting the table for its next act.
