Umi Organic makes high-quality, fresh organic noodles and sauces in Portland, Oregon. Our team is dedicated to delicious food, organic farming, and equity in the food system and our workplace.
The business idea was born when CEO Lola Milholland, then stationed as a journalist, took a week-long noodle-making workshop with ramen companies from around the world. She realized that a local organic ramen noodle brought together her work in food advocacy with her lifelong study of Japanese language and culture — and filled a hole in the market and her own stomach for a topnotch, springy, flavorful noodle.
Lola Milholland, CEO
Lola is an award-winning writer and creative event producer. Born and raised in Portland, she studied Japanese language and culture since kindergarten, first in the Portland Public Schools and later at Amherst College and Doshisha University. Before launching Umi, she worked at the nonprofit Ecotrust for eight years on regional food and farming issues and as assistant editor of Edible Portland magazine. She is currently working on book that will be published by Spiegel & Grau in May 2024.
Stephen Pierce, Chief Operations and Admin Officer
After moving to Portland in 2007, Stephen earned a Post-Baccalaureate degree in Accounting from Portland State University. He then spent almost a decade working with purchasing, billing, and human resources before joining the Umi team in 2020. He lives with his partner Grant and cat Poinsettia in Portland where they cook some of the most ancient recipes in the world.
Ayla Ercin, Lawyer
A Columbia Law School graduate, Ayla has practiced business law for the past ten years, first as a lawyer for Wall Street banks and investment houses and for the past four years as a legal advisor and strategist in the Portland small business market, partnering with emerging-growth companies and startups. She is keenly interested in building a strong and committed workplace culture that places special emphasis on promoting the interests of female entrepreneurs and employees.
Theresa Marquez, Chief Adviser
A 40-plus-year veteran of the natural foods industry, Theresa spent 25-plus years at Organic Valley, the largest organic farmer-owned cooperative in the country, where she grew the company from $5 million in 1994 to over $1 billion as Chief Marketing Executive responsible for sales and marketing. Theresa has been a life-long activist, recognized by the Organic Trade Association with the Organic Leadership Award for her outstanding initiative and devotion to organic. She hosts a weekly podcast, Heartland Stories Radio.
Gary Robbins, Design Director
A designer with a dedication to print, Gary has worked as a graphic designer, book designer, and art director for more than a decade. In 2009, after a stint at a major East Coast publishing house, Gary founded Container Corps, a multidisciplinary design studio, publishing imprint, printshop, bindery and exhibition space. With Container Corps, he has designed and produced award winning projects for clients such as MoMA, Printed Matter, PICA, and Reed College. Container Corps' publications are in the collections of museums and libraries across the world.