Paul Shapiro: Author and Co-Founder of The Better Meat Co.

A CEO, author, and podcaster with a lifelong commitment to animal protection, Paul Shapiro graduated from George Washington University (GWU) in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in peace studies and conflict resolution. He created Compassion Over Killing (now Animal Outlook) while in high school to highlight animal abuse and prevent false advertising campaigns, continuing to grow the organization while in college. Paul led COK for an additional four years after graduating from GWU. He then joined The Humane Society of the United States and began lobbying for farm animal welfare policies at the state and federal levels.

Paul worked 13 years in this role, during which time he spearheaded several state legislative initiatives to reduce farm animal abuse and worked to increase consumer demand for plant-based proteins. At the end of 2017, he left the organization to release his first book, Clean Meat: How Growing Meat Without Animals Will Revolutionize Dinner and the World. After the book tour, Shapiro co-founded The Better Meat Co. in May 2018. He continues to lead the company as CEO.

Building on his experience in farm animal protection and his investigation of ways to make plant-based protein more attractive to consumers, Shapiro's company transforms microbes into alt-meat via fermentation. The sustainable food company employs a team of engineers, scientists, and chefs with decades of combined food and agriculture experience.

Complementing his work with The Better Meat Co., Paul Shapiro also publishes dozens of articles about food sustainability and his book Clean Meat. This Washington Post bestseller explores the race to commercialize real and sustainable meat produced without killing animals. Shapiro has also given several TEDx Talks on animal treatment and clean meat and has published articles in Scientific American, Fortune, Washington Post, and academic journals.

Shapiro is also the host of the Business for Good Podcast, a show where he interviews executives and founders who are working to solve the world's most significant problems.

He lives in Sacramento, Calif. with his wife Toni Okamoto and their very friendly pitbull Eddie.