Annie Chun and Stephen Broad

Annie Chun, co-founder of Annie Chun’s, Inc. and Stephen Broad, co-founder and CEO, have spent more than three decades as partners in both life and business, building brands that make healthy, flavorful food more accessible to all. Annie got her start at the Marin County Farmers’ Market, selling two homemade sauces that quickly gained a loyal following. From those humble beginnings, the pair went on to revolutionize the Asian foods category with the launch of Annie Chun’s, and later with their current venture, Gimme Health Foods—now the top-selling organic seaweed snack brand in the U.S. 

Together, Annie and Stephen have been proud Specialty Food Association members for over 25 years. Stephen served on the SFA Supplier Marketing Council in the early 2000s, and both remain passionate about connecting with peers and giving back to the industry that helped shape their journey. Their mission today is to bring seaweed into the mainstream Western diet—not only as a delicious snack, but as a powerhouse of nutrition for families and future generations. 

For Annie, there’s no greater joy than seeing consumers delight in the products she’s created. And for Stephen, the reward lies in supporting healthier diets and fueling innovation across the food space. What’s next? Continuing to lead the seaweed revolution, one perfectly crispy bite at a time.