Travis Baumgardner is the co-founder and Chief Customer Officer of SAMBAZON, the pioneering brand that introduced certified organic and Fair Trade açaí to the global marketplace. In 1995, he moved to Rio de Janeiro, where he studied Environmental Geography at Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. Immersed in Rio’s vibrant culture, he discovered açaí bowls and quickly recognized açaí as a powerful non-timber forest product with the potential to create a globally traceable, triple-bottom-line supply chain from the Amazon to the world. Travis has played a pivotal role in building SAMBAZON’s vertically integrated and sustainable sourcing model, organizing cooperatives, advancing certifications, and developing eco-conscious production systems that promote fair-wage harvesting, biodiversity conservation, and thriving community livelihoods in Brazil. As a long-time executive leader, he has helped expand the brand into thousands of retail locations across more than 50 countries, championing mission-driven growth that successfully balances environmental stewardship, social impact, and commercial performance.