Founder & CEO of Cibaria International

With heavy hearts, we share the unexpected passing of our beloved founder and CEO, Kathy Griset.

Kathy was more than the visionary behind Cibaria International—she was its heart and soul.

What began in 1998 as a bold step into the olive oil industry became, under Kathy’s leadership, a thriving, respected business serving customers across the country and around the world.

Kathy brought not only business savvy and industry knowledge to Cibaria, but deep compassion, unwavering determination, and a commitment to people. She built a culture rooted in trust, respect, and integrity—values that will continue to guide us every day.

From her humble beginnings as a single mother with no formal business education to becoming a pioneer in the gourmet food space, Kathy’s story is one of courage, grit, and grace. She empowered a team, mentored rising talent, gave generously to her community, and changed lives
along the way.

Her Legacy Lives On

While we mourn this tremendous loss, we also celebrate all that Kathy created. She leaves behind a strong leadership team, a deeply rooted mission, and a company committed to excellence, growth, and care for our customers. Cibaria remains fully operational and focused on the future Kathy envisioned. Her legacy is our foundation, and her spirit lives on in every bottle we fill, every customer we serve, and every relationship we build.

View her full obituary here.