Philanthropists of the Year Award
The Philanthropists of the Year Award celebrates those whose generosity and philanthropic leadership further Arizona State University’s mission. Those recognized by this honor are exemplars of how individual giving can have a meaningful impact on social issues and people’s lives.
Kelly and Brian Swette are longtime supporters of ASU, providing key leadership and philanthropic investment. In keeping with their passion for personal health and sustainable food systems, the Swettes have made major contributions to sustainability solutions at ASU.
Kelly and Brian Swette first became interested in sustainable foods when the family’s eating habits became more plant-based. Combining their interest in cooking healthy food and sustainability, the couple in 2012 started Sweet Earth Natural Foods, of which Kelly was the CEO and Brian the president. Sweet Earth Natural Foods offers a line of convenient frozen vegetarian and vegan meals. In growing the enterprise, the Swettes leveraged their extensive combined experience in business. Kelly had served as director of marketing and director of national sales at PepsiCo and as global vice president of marketing at Calvin Klein. Brian had previously served as executive vice president and CMO at PepsiCo, COO at eBay and brand manager at Procter & Gamble. Brian served as chairman of Burger King and Shutterfly and served on the boards of Jamba Juice, Endeavor, and Schiff Nutrition. In 2017, Nestlé acquired Sweet Earth Natural Foods just five years after its founding.
The couple has longstanding ties with Arizona State University. Brian is an ASU alumnus, an ASU trustee and has served in a number of advisory leadership roles for ASU’s sustainability and global futures programs. Brian’s siblings, Rob and Mary, are also alumni and have joined Brian and Kelly in supporting ASU philanthropically. In keeping with their passion for personal health and sustainable food systems, the Swettes have made major contributions to sustainability solutions at ASU. The Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology in the Biodesign Institute conducts research on the significance of microbial communities. The Swette Family Scholarship Program provides financial support to students from agricultural farm-working and food-working families. The Kelly and Brian Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems is driving social progress, economic productivity and ecosystem resilience through food systems transformation.