Our Founders
Daniel Torpey
Daniel Torpey’s journey in the food industry began by bussing tables and flipping pizzas in San Francisco. In 2004, he joined the natural foods start-up Alter Eco as the company’s first U.S. employee, leading the launch and expansion of fair trade and organic products in the American market. His nationwide sales tours helped establish Alter Eco as a leading brand in the natural foods industry. He later applied this expertise to The Real Foods Foundry, where he managed sales for brands like Niman Ranch, Crofter’s Organic, and Divine Chocolate to drive product launches, sales growth, and distribution strategies.
As Chief Commercial Officer at Fair Trade USA, Daniel expanded the $7 billion global Fair Trade market by developing initiatives and partnerships with major partners like Walmart and Patagonia. Earlier, as Vice President of Sales at KeHE Distributors, he redefined sales processes, managed the $300 million Natural West region, and led successful acquisition integrations.
Now, as the founder and CEO of Succurrere, Daniel focuses on supporting mission-driven organizations— both for-profit and non-profit— by offering leadership consulting, fractional commercial team management, interim executive coverage, and strategic advisory services.
Beyond the food industry, Daniel has held senior leadership roles with Burning Man, where he oversaw public safety, emergency services, event access, and security for one of the largest private gatherings in the U.S. His ability to lead high-performing teams and deliver on mission-critical objectives has been a defining feature of his career.
Max Stepanian
Max Stepanian’s journey in the food industry started with something simple: making and selling compound butter. That butter evolved into fresh refrigerated soup, and soon Max discovered Niman Ranch, where he realized the power of meat as a gateway to educating consumers about sustainable and alternative production practices. At Niman Ranch, he played a pivotal role in building the company’s retail and foodservice presence across the U.S., championing ethical and sustainable food systems.
Following his time at Niman Ranch, Max founded Source & Connect, a strategy and sales organization dedicated to helping sustainable producers find their footing in key distribution channels like Costco, Natural & Specialty, and Foodservice. Believing that Costco held unique potential to drive industry-wide change, Max joined Anderson-Daymon Worldwide, where he represented both regional and national brands at Costco, including Kirkland Signature and Annie’s Homegrown. During his tenure, he helped launch Costco’s original organic program pilot in the Bay Area, further advancing his mission to bring sustainability into the mainstream.
Before co-founding Succurrere in 2021, Max served as Director of Sales Fresh at KeHE Distributors. There, he focused on growing the market for innovative fresh brands in the Western U.S., providing strategic guidance to brands looking to scale while maintaining their values.
Today, at Succurrere, Max combines his passion for sustainability and deep industry expertise to help mission-driven food businesses thrive. Whether building markets for innovative brands or crafting strategies for ethical producers, Max is dedicated to creating a food system that works for people, planet, and profit.