About Us
One passionate group of foodies.
With decades of collective experience in every corner of the food business, we can say for certain—we know food.
Rishi A. Nagrani
Chief Executive Officer/President
Rishi A. Nagrani is the CEO, President, and Founder of Sapna Foods, Inc., which he established in 1997 with a mission to bring exotic and specialty food ingredients from some of the most remote regions of the world to market. The company combines global sourcing with value-added manufacturing and further processing in Atlanta, Georgia, delivering customized, high-quality solutions for the food industry.
Read More
With nearly three decades of experience, Rishi leads with deep operational expertise and a strong commitment to building sustainable, traceable supply chains. He focuses on creating meaningful impact at the agricultural level at origin—working directly with farmers and cooperatives to support ethical practices, fair pricing, and community development in growing regions.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Rishi is a former collegiate soccer athlete and a dedicated triathlete, reflecting a lifelong commitment to discipline and resilience. He is also a classically trained pianist and a licensed commercial, multi-engine, and instrument-rated jet pilot—interests that speak to his passion for precision, focus, and continuous learning.
Rishi resides in Atlanta with his wife and four daughters, balancing entrepreneurial ambition with personal growth and a global vision rooted in integrity and purpose.
William Sowers
Vice President
William Sowers is Vice President and oversees purchasing and global procurement for Sapna Foods, Inc. He is a native of Atlanta and graduated from Kennesaw State University. William started working in operations for Sapna Foods in the early 2000s and has extensive knowledge of specialty food ingredients. He enjoys watching sports, playing golf, traveling, and spending time with his wife and three sons.
Jonathon Richardson
Director of Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs
Jonathon Richardson is the Director of Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs at Sapna Foods, Inc. He joined Sapna Foods in 2018 and grew up in Metro Atlanta, where he still resides today. Jonathon oversees Sapna’s quality and improvement efforts, including developing policies and procedures, training employees, and facilitating change throughout the organization to meet internal and external needs and expectations. Away from work, he enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, listening to good music, and battling par on the golf course.
Sterling Pemberton
Flight Operations & Strategic Sales
Sterling Pemberton is the Director of Flight Operations & Strategic Sales at Sapna Foods, Inc. After joining the team, he has focused on increasing efficiencies in production and overall operations at Sapna. Sterling was a Professional Pilot major at Middle Tennessee State University. After college, he became a corporate pilot on the Embraer Phenom jet and is also a mentor to new Phenom pilots. While not at work, Sterling enjoys playing golf and going to the lake in his hometown of Byrdstown, Tennessee.
Samuel Hagopian
Chief Financial Officer
Sam Hagopian currently oversees all Finance and Accounting operations at Sapna Foods, Inc., serving as the company’s CFO. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Sam graduated from Penn State University in 2013 with a BA in Telecommunications and a minor in Mandarin Chinese. After volunteering to run payroll at a digital marketing company 12 years ago, Sam fell in love with the numbers—and the rest is history. When he’s not buried in spreadsheets, Sam enjoys getting a pump in at the gym, trying new restaurants and culinary experiences, and finding new places to skateboard around Atlanta.
Rosalie Piazza
Business Development & National/Key Accounts Sales
Rosalie Piazza is the Business Development and National Accounts Representative at Sapna Foods, where she has been a driving force in client growth and strategic partnerships since 2019. Rosalie resides in Boston and has deep roots in the food industry; her family helped pioneer the Boston Wholesale Produce Market. Before joining Sapna Foods, she gained hands-on experience working in different avenues of the food world, giving her a well-rounded perspective on the complexities of the supply chain and the needs of large-scale buyers. Known for her passion for building lasting relationships, Rosalie excels at helping partners streamline sourcing and discover innovative ingredient solutions. Rosalie is a part of the Specialty Food Association, where she is a council member. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, baking, practicing yoga, and spending quality time with her family.
Evan Sowers
Sales Representative
Evan Sowers is a Sales Representative at Sapna Foods, Inc. He was born and raised in Atlanta and still lives there today with his son and daughter. Evan has a bachelor’s degree in business and spent over a decade in the food service industry, which provided him with vast knowledge of specialty food ingredients. For leisure, Evan enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, reading, and cooking.
Jordan Jennings
Sales Representative
With over a decade of experience in sales and customer service, Jordan Jennings brings a solution-focused and client-first approach to every interaction. After starting in production, Jordan transitioned into a customer-facing role, leveraging a deep understanding of the food manufacturing process to support clients with insight and precision. Jordan’s background spans many industries, where he has consistently built strong, lasting relationships through hard work, authenticity, and a commitment to going above and beyond. Now, in his current role, he is passionate about helping clients gain and maintain a competitive edge in the food industry. When he’s not supporting clients, Jordan sharpens his competitive nature through golf and fuels his creativity by producing music.
Jimmy Bishop
Shipping & Receiving Manager
Jimmy Bishop is the Shipping/Receiving Manager at Sapna Foods. He is a native of Atlanta and has lived all around the city. Jimmy has been in shipping/receiving management for 15 years and is always looking for the best and most efficient processes to get products to customers. He enjoys spending time with friends and family and also enjoys college football, cookouts, and metal concerts.
Ryan Cofield
Director of eCommerce
Ryan Cofield is the director of eCommerce at Sapna Foods. As an experienced eCommerce Manager and graphic designer with a decade of experience, Ryan specializes in creating seamless online experiences that blend visual impact with strategic performance. He is a native of the Atlanta area, and in his free time, he enjoys making music, attending concerts, and cooking.
Asael Baquedano
Graphic Design
Asael Baquedano is the Graphic Designer at Sapna Foods, Inc. Originally from Nicaragua, Asael has over a decade of experience in graphic design and a strong background in freelance creative work. His expertise spans digital and print design, branding, and visual storytelling. Outside of work, Asael enjoys video games, trading, cooking, and lifting at the gym.
Fernando Vélez
Quality Control Specialist
Fernando Vélez began his career at SAPNA in 2014, where, through commitment, effort, and long hours of learning, he earned a key position within the company as Quality Control Specialist.
Read More
Throughout his professional journey, Fernando has developed a strong focus on detail, continuous improvement, and the pursuit of high-quality results. His experience has allowed him to understand the importance of teamwork, responsibility, and precision in every process.
Outside of work, Fernando finds balance and well-being through training at the gym, as well as one of his personal passions: drawing nature. Both activities reflect his discipline, creativity, and ability to observe the world with intention and purpose.
Roger Jones
Director of Operations
Roger has been an integral part of Sapna Foods since 2021, bringing his technical expertise and commitment to excellence to every aspect of production. He has spent his career working in manufacturing, which gives him a deep understanding of industry standards with a hands-on approach to problem-solving and efficiency. Roger is dedicated to maintaining the highest quality standards while supporting continuous improvement across the production line.
Crakethia Jordan
Joel Barroso Penaloza
Lakiesha Robert
Martha Duran-Lizaola
Osmar Valle Juarez
Where will the quest for flavor take us next?
At Sapna Foods, every sourcing challenge is an opportunity. When a client needs an ingredient we don’t yet offer, we don’t see a roadblock—we see a mission. Our team thrives on discovering new ingredients, cultivating new relationships with growers, and expanding our global network to meet our clients’ evolving needs. Exploring rich culinary and agricultural traditions, meeting new growers to add to our family, and bringing exceptional ingredients home are at the heart of what we do. If you’re searching for something unique, let us take the lead—we’re ready for the journey.
In how many countries do you operate?
We’ve established relationships with producers in over 38 countries around the world.
What products do you offer?
We specialize in spices, mushrooms, vanilla, teas, oils, and botanicals — all with high standards of quality and traceability.
How do you ensure quality?
Every batch undergoes internal quality checks and external audits to ensure purity, regulatory compliance, sensory profile, and performance.
Do you work with both large and small businesses?
Yes. We strive to offer tailored solutions for everyone — from large manufacturers to distributors, flavor houses, and local startups.
Can you source ingredients not currently in your catalog?
Yes. We’re driven by the challenge of finding what doesn’t yet exist and expanding our network to meet special requirements.