Robert (Bob) Zender is the Director of Marketing of Uglies Kettle Chips, a brand that has carved a niche in the snack industry by being the only upcycled certified kettle chips in the marketplace. With seven years of dedicated service, Uglies has transformed "imperfect" potatoes into premium small-batch kettle chips. Bob and the Dieffenbach family …

Sam Mitchell is the Co-founder of roo.bru, a health-focused beverage alternative to coffee. With a background in construction management from the University of Florida, Sam drew on his competitive surfing experience and interest in nutrition to create something better than the traditional coffee experience. He prides himself on his Australian roots…

Mika Shino is the Founder and CEO of Issei, a brand that has reimagined the gummy candy world with a heartfelt mission. Of Japanese heritage, Mika ventured into entrepreneurship to offer her children healthier candy options inspired by her native mochi. Her innovative product, the world’s first shelf-stable mochi gummies, has earned acclaim as the …

Alan Laws is the Founder and President of Laws Whiskey House, a distillery renowned for its uncompromising approach to whiskey production. Laws Whiskey House is known for using heirloom grains and a meticulous distillation process, earning world-class recognition for their bourbons and ryes. Formerly a Wall Street worker, Alan transitioned to pursu…

Meet Cory Assink and Zeke Blattler, the visionary co-founders of Los Cuernos Wine. With a passion for wine and extensive experience in the industry, they're revolutionizing the market with premium canned wines. Their brand emphasizes quality, convenience, and accessibility, making great wine approachable for enthusiasts everywhere. Here’s a glimpse…

Gabrielle (Gabby) Fitzpatrick is the Founder and CEO of Damn Right Cocktails, an organic premium tequila cocktail brand targeting modern millennial women. With a background as a bartender, Gabrielle pursued her passion for mixology and recognized a gap in the ready-to-drink spirits industry. Her commitment to creating bold, health-conscious, innova…

Jordan Silbert is the Founder and CEO of Agro Power Jerky, a company that creates high-protein snacks made from plants. With a history of success in the beverage industry with Q Mixers, he brings over 16 years of entrepreneurial experience to his fresh endeavor. Jordan is passionate about creating great-tasting, environmentally-conscious products. …

Zack Burnett is the Co-founder of Bold Bean Coffee Roasters, a wholesale coffee roaster focused on sustainable supply chains, purposeful roasting, and value-added service and support. With nearly two decades of experience in the coffee industry, his journey began unexpectedly when his father proposed starting a small coffee roastery, igniting his e…

Rachel Klein is the Founder and CEO of Revival Foods, a company that stands out for its commitment to health in the sweets and snacks industry. With a passion for offering clean, pronounceable ingredients, Rachel has successfully launched new squeeze packs of almond butter, catering to consumers on the go. Her brand's high standards manifest in pro…

Mika Shino is the Founder and CEO of Issei, a brand that has reimagined the gummy candy world with a heartfelt mission. Of Japanese heritage, Mika ventured into entrepreneurship to offer her children healthier candy options inspired by her native mochi. Her innovative product, the world’s first shelf-stable mochi gummies, has earned acclaim as the …

William Spencer is the Founder and CEO of h2go Energy Water, a mission-driven company dedicated to revolutionizing the energy drink industry with healthier, sustainable, and effective alternatives. He established h2go to offer a cleaner, organic alternative to traditional caffeinated beverages. Originally from Vermont, William is an avid snowboarde…

Nickolas Abramovich is the Co-founder and Head Distiller of Doundrins Distilling, a company specializing in craft spirits with a unique local twist. With an engineering background and a passion for distilling, he has transformed Doundrins into a much-loved staple in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. Their product range includes cherry-flavored rum, spicy p…

Cale Nelson is the Chief Commercial Officer of Local Hive Honey, a brand with a century of heritage in producing 100% US local raw honey. With a keen focus on innovation and sustainability, Cale leads the brand's expansion into new product categories, including a line of honey-based hot sauces. He champions the importance of supporting local Americ…

Kerry Song is the Founder and CEO of Abbot's Butcher, a wellness company crafting delicious and versatile plant-rich protein products from real, whole-food ingredients. A Princeton grad, she left her corporate finance career at Morgan Stanley to pursue her passion for socially conscious business. Working with Tony Robbins' marketing team and experi…

Meet Duncan Alney, the visionary Founder and CEO of Firebelly Marketing, leading the charge in social media innovation. With a passion for problem-solving and client satisfaction, Duncan sets the vision and values for the company. He believes in the power of social media as the frontline of communication, where content, conversation, community, and…

Shahreen Reza is the Co-founder and CEO of Astreas, a food innovation company developing high-quality nutrition blended with the finest dark chocolate to fuel your exploration. She is a serial entrepreneur with a history of successful start-ups, including her first company, PurifAid, which developed CleanTech using the byproduct of Scotch whisky to…

Or Reznichky is the Co-founder and CEO of Dripdash, a company that has introduced the first ready-to-drink Kyoto iced coffee in the US. The company has thrived under his leadership, achieving enough success to be acquired by a private equity firm. Based in San Francisco, he's an entrepreneur with roots in quantitative psychology and economics and a…

Brian Graham is the Owner and President of Four Day Ray Brewing, a craft beer brand that prides itself on community engagement and innovative brewing practices. He is praised for his creative talents, from concocting unique brewed flavors to cleverly naming his brews, and has a hands-on approach to managing his establishments. Brian's dedication is…

Bryon White is the Co-founder and CEO of Yaupon Brothers, a leading CPG firm focused on producing high-quality Yaupon teas grown in America. With over a decade of experience in the CPG industry, indigenous food systems, and native agriculture, he has become an expert in social enterprise and cultural aspects. Bryon also serves as a Venture Builder …

Scott Rice is the Co-founder and President of Natural Careers, a boutique recruiter and career transition specialist focused on the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. Natural Careers works with health/well-being food and beverage, dietary supplement, and ingredient companies, founder-owned and portfolio investments of many private equity group…

Emanuel Storch is the CEO of Blackbird Foods, a plant-based food company providing vegan seitan, frozen pizza, and plant-based meat to retail and wholesale customers. Under his visionary leadership, Blackbird Foods has successfully expanded its operations to over 3000 stores and 350 restaurants. Before his current role, Emanuel was in charge of ove…

Trey Lockerbie is the Co-founder and CEO of Better Booch, a premium single-batch kombucha brewed, bottled, and canned in downtown Los Angeles. He has been a musician traveling the world who prioritizes health and wellness. Trey is also a CNBC contributor and a member of Vistage Worldwide, Inc., the world’s largest executive coaching and peer adviso…

Chris Allen is the Co-founder of Osena Spiked Coconut Water, a beverage brand that creates better-for-you alcohol options. Osena drinks are made with coconut water, naturally occurring electrolytes, 100 calories, and zero sugar for the health-conscious fun seeker. A serial entrepreneur passionate about human health, Chris’ expertise spans food and …

Nick Brune is the Owner and CEO of Eco Caters, an organic event catering company that has been delighting clients in Washington DC., L.A., and San Diego for over 10 years. As a chef passionate about flavor and design, he served as a head chef at some of the city's premier catering establishments. Nick has a profound affection for organic farming, l…

Chris Conway is the Founder of Happy Being, a functional beverage brand producing iced white tea packed with turmeric, elderberry, vitamin D3, and polyphenols for a delicious and healthy refreshment that fights inflammation at the source. With over 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space, Chris is also the Founder of Solutions 4 Hea…

Bill Birgen is the Founder and CTO of SAVRpak, an award-winning product that helps preserve the freshness and intended state of the food. As a serial entrepreneur, he has founded and co-founded numerous businesses, including AirFloe Mask, Midwater Collective LLC, Soggy Food Sucks LLC, Kyllburg Technologies LLC, and many others. Before becoming an e…

Meet Chris Tunstall, Co-Founder and Chief of Brand and Product Development at A Bar Above. With a decade of hospitality experience and a passion for mixology, Chris is dedicated to sharing advanced cocktail techniques. As host of the A Bar Above Podcast, they lead bar education content creation and product development, ensuring A Bar Above sets the…

Andrew E. Johnson is the CEO of Goode Foods, a reputable provider of high-quality canned beans and vegetables dedicated to meeting individuals' dietary and nutritional needs. During his tenure, he led a sales team that expanded brand distribution by 700%, securing deals with major retailers such as Kroger, Meijer, Walmart, Associated Wholesale Groc…

Kristin Patrick is the Co-founder of Loren's Alcohol-Free Beverages, a women-owned alcohol-free boutique selling alcohol-free drinks and mixers. She is a digital learning consultant who builds outcome-based, culturally responsive interactive training modules that inspire and teach. Kristin is also a Blended Learning Coach at Noblesville Schools and…

Tia Glave is the Co-founder of Catalyst, a coaching program that helps organizations establish sustainable food safety cultures. The program employs a comprehensive approach incorporating proven strategies, leadership development, and technical training to build food safety systems within companies. With nearly a decade of experience, Tia is a food…

Joshua Rood is the Co-founder and CEO of Dr Hops, a globally recognized brand specializing in producing delightful and health-conscious alcoholic beverages. As an astute leader, creator, and builder, he has extensive experience in many domains, including videography, communication, group facilitation and training, event planning and supervision, co…

Michael Valenti is the CEO of Great Spirits Baking Company, a well-known and distinguished brand that crafts high-quality premium spirits-infused cakes using top-notch ingredients. As a results-driven professional, Michael uses his expertise in sales, marketing, and distribution strategies to deliver impressive outcomes for the company. An exceptio…

David Mesa is the President of We Grow CPG, a boutique sales management agency offering elevated sales partnerships to the CPG industry. The agency's core expertise lies in helping emerging brands expand their distribution by building aggressive and strategic revenue plans from the seed stage to the late stage. With over 20 years of experience in t…

Mariah Hilton Wood is the Co-founder and COO of Tilden, a brand that makes sophisticated, ready-to-serve nonalcoholic cocktails for the growing wave of consumers looking for choices beyond alcohol. A lifelong teetotaler from Las Vegas, she is passionate about food and beverages and solving complex supply chain issues. Previously, Mariah held variou…

Eric Hoang is the Co-founder of YATÉ Yerba Mate, a sparkling, naturally delicious twist on tea that gives you a clean boost of energy. YATÉ is made from 100% organic yerba mate and offers plant-based benefits without adverse effects such as crashes or jitters. Eric has founded two businesses and has an intimate understanding of the entrepreneurial …

Tina White is the Chief Commercial Officer at Brainiac Foods, a company specializing in creating delicious products to support brain development, performance, and health through food-based brain nutrition. With a well-established background in digital marketing, e-commerce, and brand management, it is Tina’s responsibility to grow the business by f…

Dino Dakuras works at Second City Beverage Co., the only micro-distillery in Augusta, Georgia. The company is a powerhouse in the spirits industry and has an expert team of master distillers, warehouse managers, mixologists, and sales and marketing professionals. Dino is also the President of Durty Gurl Cocktails, a company that focuses on providin…

Dr. Josh Anthony is the Founder and CEO of Nlumn, a consulting company that helps businesses compete in the personalized nutrition and health marketplace by delivering personalized strategies at scale. Before starting Nlumn, Dr. Anthony was the Founding Chief Science Officer at the personalized nutrition company Habit. He was also the Vice Presiden…

Mary Pellettieri, Co-Founder and creative mind behind Top Note Tonic began her beverage industry journey as a homebrewer with a focus on craft beer. After gaining technical expertise at the Siebel Institute and making waves at Goose Island, she transitioned from larger breweries to launch her own venture. Top Note Tonic, born from her entrepreneuri…

Duncan Alney is the Founder and CEO of Firebelly Marketing, an award-winning, top-ranked agency that helps founders of mission-driven food and beverage brands grow their businesses and connect with their audiences through social media marketing. Duncan has worked in marketing for 30 years and brings his expertise in engaging with clients and rebuil…

Jordan Russell is the Founder and CEO of Ra Natural Beverages, a company that produces delicious coconut water with functional benefits. To optimize the beverage's benefits, Jordan formulates the product using ancient traditional remedies and modern scientific principles. He is a former chef and nutrition consultant with a communications and journa…

Meet Eamon McDonald, a seasoned entrepreneur who excelled in circuit boards and off-road race cars. Inspired by a Belgian customer, he ventured into the sangria business, importing and selling thousands of cases. Facing a change in partnerships, McDonald collaborated with a legacy winery in Spain to create Pasmosa Sangria. Now, as Pasmosa Sangria's…

Vedant Saboo is the Co-founder and President of Frutero Ice Cream. Frutero is a food and beverage brand that makes 100% tropical fruit ice creams. Vedant has spearheaded product distribution and development, significantly increased the gross margin, and led the charge to land their products in 5,000 stores and major retailers. Before Frutero, Vedan…

Meet Paul Weaver, The Head of Cannabis at the Boston Beer Company. With over a decade in the beverage industry, he started in Toronto's beer business before joining Canopy Growth Corporation in 2017. There, he led innovation, playing a crucial role in launching recreational cannabis in Canada. Paul's expertise in cannabis beverages brought him to t…

Mark Haas is the CEO of Helmsman Group, a full-service food commercialization agency. The agency helps new and existing food and beverage brands by advising on and developing CPG products, processes, and operations optimized for success. Mark is a self-proclaimed foodie who has been active in the food industry since his teens. He has a professional…

Reed Woogerd, the Director of Operations at Valdemar Estates, is a seasoned leader with a history of success in Ohio's hospitality scene. After venturing into markets like the Bay Area and Austin, Reed now oversees multi-site operations for Valdemar Estates in Walla Walla, WA. His journey began during a working holiday visa in Hawkes Bay, New Zeala…

Joey Angelo is the Founder of Su Casa Mezcal, a beverage brand producing mezcal with floral and tropical notes, hand-crafted from simple and natural ingredients to deliver the taste and essence of Mexico's natural wonders. He is also the Founder of SipMARGS, a brand that offers a bold and great-tasting sparkling margarita in the convenience of a ca…

Meet Rachel Svoboda, the trailblazing founder of Lynxx Spirits, known for pioneering the first-ever bourbon crafted by an all-female team. With a background in running a successful marketing company, Rachel's journey into the liquor business began during a bike ride with her father, sparking the idea to create a bourbon tailored for women. Her visi…

Meet Jeff Gillis, the Founder and CEO of Winelikes. With an MBA in entrepreneurship and a background in hospitality, Jeff brings a unique blend of expertise to the wine community. Winelikes is his brainchild, a social media app designed to engage wine novices in a friendly, community-driven space. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Discover the…

Matt Oscamou is the Co-founder of Weller, a hemp-infused sparkling water brand that provides accessible, functional beverages that are simple, delicious, and natural. Before Weller, he founded and served as the CEO of Frontier Snacks. Additionally, Matt has worked as an engineer in various companies, including JVA, Inc., the City of Menlo Park, and…