Mitch Gould Named Among CIO Today's Top 50 World Leaders for 2025

Mitch Gould, Founder and CEO of Nutritional Products International (NPI), has been named one of CIO Today's Top 50 World Leaders for 2025. The annual list honors global executives whose innovation, influence, and leadership are shaping the future of business, technology, and commerce. Gould's feature, titled "Architect of Retail Innovation," highlights his four-decade career transforming how consumer brands enter and thrive in the U.S. retail market.

Through his proprietary Evolution of Distribution model, Gould and his team at NPI integrate sales, logistics, marketing, and compliance into a single turnkey solution—simplifying U.S. market entry for global manufacturers in the health, wellness, beauty, and nutrition industries. "It's an honor to be recognized alongside such visionary global leaders," said Gould. "This acknowledgment reflects the commitment of our entire NPI and InHealth Media team, who work every day to help brands succeed in the world's most competitive retail environment."

A third-generation distributor, Gould's career began by placing household brands such as Igloo, Rubbermaid, Sunbeam, and Miracle-Gro into major U.S. retailers including Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, and Walgreens. He later helped pioneer Amazon's wellness and sports nutrition categories, partnering with Muscle Foods to onboard more than 100 brands to the platform in its early years. Gould's track record also includes collaborations with global icons such as Hulk Hogan, Steven Seagal, Chuck Liddell, Ronnie Coleman, and Wayne Gretzky—merging celebrity partnerships with strategic retail distribution.

His upcoming memoir, The Blonde, the Ferrari, and the Kwan: The Quintessential American Success Story, chronicles these experiences while sharing lessons in resilience, entrepreneurship, and leadership. CIO Today's Top 50 World Leaders edition celebrates those transforming industries and empowering organizations across the globe. The 2025 list includes business leaders whose vision drives growth, innovation, and sustainability in the modern economy.

"Mitch Gould stands as a defining force in modern retail distribution," writes CIO Today. "His Evolution of Distribution model has democratized market access, empowering manufacturers worldwide to compete on a level playing field." To read Mitch Gould's full feature, "Architect of Retail Innovation," visit https://theciotoday.com/magazines/worlds-top-50-leaders/.