Slutty Vegan 2.0: Pinky Cole and Lauren Maillian’s Strategic Power Move Sets New Standard
In a bold executive shift signaling deep strategic intent. Slutty Vegan founder and CEO Pinky Cole has appointed tech and venture capital powerhouse Lauren Maillian as president, effective June 4, 2025.
This announcement marks the brand’s strategic evolution into what Cole terms “Slutty Vegan 2.0,”. A period defined by operational excellence, innovation, and robust leadership.
Strategic Leadership: Lauren Maillian’s Credentials
Lauren Maillian steps into her new role at Slutty Vegan bringing two decades of proven executive leadership spanning venture capital, media, technology, and food sectors.
Maillian’s leadership roles include CEO of digitalundivided—a firm dedicated to catalyzing the success of Black and Latina women founders—and President of Hero Media, a platform amplifying diverse voices.
Additionally, Maillian has strategically advised major industry players, including OptimizeRx and Overtime, honing her reputation for precision and effectiveness.
Maillian views her new position as a seamless alignment of personal ethos and professional acumen.
A Powerful Collaboration Rooted in Authentic Connection
The partnership between Pinky Cole and Lauren Maillian emerged from a casual interaction at the 2017 Operation Hope conference and reignited at Kim Blackwell’s recent ExcelerateHER event.
Their mutual recognition quickly moved from mutual admiration to a concrete strategic partnership.
Cole emphasizes that this leadership change signifies more than corporate restructuring; it’s a deliberate push toward an entirely women-led executive staff.
Pinky Cole notes the significance of this transformation within the context of broader Black women entrepreneurship. Highlighting how powerful representation in executive spaces translates directly into sustainable business strength.
Lessons for Primal Mogul Members: Strategic Insights and Real-World Application
The strategic maneuver executed by Cole and Maillian provides critical insights for entrepreneurs serious about growth and organizational power:
1. Aligning Values and Expertise
Maillian’s extensive experience directly complements Cole’s entrepreneurial fire and vision. This alignment underscores a key lesson for leaders: successful business relationships depend fundamentally on complementary strengths, shared vision, and professional values.
2. Resilience and Rebound
Cole’s business mission, including overcoming a serious accident and temporarily losing control of her business earlier this year, is a powerful example of commitment to her purpose. Her ability to reclaim ownership and swiftly appoint an industry-leading executive emphasizes the necessity for business leaders to remain adaptive, resilient, and focused during adversity.
3. Operational Excellence and Innovation
Maillian’s explicit mandate includes operational precision, consumer experience enhancement, and systemic innovation. Members of the Primal Mogul community should note this prioritization of operational strength as crucial. Clear processes, detailed systems, and strategic scaling practices are non-negotiable for sustainable business success.
From Crisis to Opportunity: Pinky Cole’s Strategic Pivot
This executive appointment also marks Cole’s personal strategic pivot—from crisis to opportunity. The clarity with which she navigated her challenges highlights the strategic mindset necessary for effective leadership. Entrepreneurs must recognize the importance of decisive action and calculated risk-taking, even amid personal and professional turbulence.
Conclusion: A Blueprint for Black Entrepreneurship
Pinky Cole’s appointment of Lauren Maillian as President of Slutty Vegan represents a sophisticated strategic play, providing critical lessons for Black entrepreneurs and executives.
This power move exemplifies how focused leadership, aligned partnerships, and operational refinement form the blueprint for sustainable growth and influential business authority.
For those building and scaling businesses, this is a clear lesson in strategic alignment, operational rigor, and adaptive leadership.
This is precisely the sort of execution Primal Mogul members should watch closely, dissect, and replicate in their own enterprises.
