Biography
Ben Karlin is a successful consumer products entrepreneur, with a particular focus on the food and beverage sector.
Currently he is CEO and Founder of AGRO, a manufacturer of plant-based sticks and jerky which is seeking to redefine the market for plant-based protein.
Prior to AGRO, Ben was the Co-founder and President of Q Mixers, which pioneered the market for premium carbonated mixers in America.
During his 15 years at Q Mixers, Ben also teamed up with Chaminade alum Peter Stris (’93) to launch Saffron, a chain of five quick-casual Indian restaurants in Los Angeles.
Prior to Q Mixers, Ben worked in premium consumer products, serving as a key executive at NYC-based haircare brand Bumble and bumble, and at Sydney-based natural skincare brand Jurlique.
Ben earned his MBA from Stanford (during which time, he ran business development for a Kleiner Perkins-funded edtech company) and his BA in economics and philosophy from Brown University.
Positions
- - CEO and Founder, AGRO
Entrepreneurship — Building Without a Playbook
May 1st
2026
10:45 am -
12:00 pm, EST
Main Stage
Panel Discussion
Entrepreneurship
- MAIN STAGE
Introduction
Entrepreneurship isn’t a personality trait or a job title. It’s a way of thinking—and a willingness to take responsibility when outcomes are uncertain.
In this panel, Peter Stris ’93, Matt Stein ’92, and Ben Karlin share what it actually looks like to build organizations from the ground up across very different fields: technology, consumer products, and professional services.
Drawing on experiences that include founding and scaling venture-backed startups, launching and growing consumer brands, building a national litigation firm, and co-founding a successful restaurant chain, the panelists will discuss:
- Making consequential decisions without perfect information
- Taking real ownership of outcomes—good and bad
- Navigating failure, risk, and reinvention
- Translating entrepreneurial thinking across industries and careers
This session is designed to be highly interactive, with substantial time reserved for audience questions and discussion. Students and alumni are encouraged to bring real dilemmas, career questions, and hard calls they’re wrestling with.
Rather than offering formulas or clichés, the conversation focuses on judgment, adaptability, and values—the habits that allow leaders to build durable things even when there’s no clear roadmap.
Other Speakers
SVP, Children’s Surgery and Chief Pediatric Surgeon , Northwell Health and Cohen Children’s Medical Center.
View Session
Former Chief Investment Officer and Global Head of Private Debt, BlackRock
View Session
