Experts

Bob

Blaire is Vice President of Marketing at O’Neill Vintners & Distillers, where she is focused on driving growth across a dynamic portfolio of wine brands designed to appeal to a diverse range of consumers. Throughout her 20-year global career in marketing at Diageo, PepsiCo, American Express and O’Neill Vintners & Distillers, Blaire has gained significant experience in understanding how to build powerful and distinct brand propositions, deliver on consumer needs and build meaningful connections with consumers throughout their purchase journey. Blaire earned her BA from Stanford University and MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She has her WSET Level III certification in wine and is an avid traveler, swimmer, dog mom and foodie. Originally from Toronto, Blaire is now based in San Francisco, CA.

Bill Shufelt is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Athletic Brewing Company, the largest and most decorated non-alcoholic brewery in America. As an outdoor enthusiast, trail runner, and busy modern adult, Bill realized that alcohol was holding him back from achieving all of his goals, so he left it behind for good in 2013. However, he still loved socializing with friends and family and pairing great brews with delicious meals. When Bill stopped drinking, he was surprised to discover that nobody had taken the time to develop a line of full-flavored, non-alcoholic beers for the 60% of Americans who drink less than one time per week. So, Bill set out to change that by creating a company focused on crafting delicious adult non-alcoholic beverages that didn't compromise on taste or quality. In 2017, Bill left a successful career at one of the world's largest hedge funds to begin building the first U.S. brewery and taproom dedicated entirely to non-alcoholic beer, despite skepticism from industry insiders. Today, Athletic Brewing is the #1 non-alcoholic beer brand in America, with over 19% market share.

Sea Bags was founded in 2006 on the principles of being green in product and practice, being made in Maine, and acting as good stewards to our community and state. Sea Bags has employed over 200 people, many of whom Beth mentored and have gone on to run their own companies. Today, Sea Bags has 50 stores, a robust online business, and hundreds of wholesale accounts including Life Is Good and Ralph Lauren - along with a newly-licensed NFL collection. As Sea Bags continues to grow, Beth remains focused on the core mission of the company: being sustainable in product and process, becoming a best-in-class employer, and keeping production local. Beth also serves on the boards for the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and serves as Board Chair for the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. She co-founded the Maine Textile Consortium, actively mentors start-ups, and has been named a Woman to Watch by Maine Biz.

Ayumi Chikamoto, the trailblazing CEO and founder of TokyoTreat, challenges conventional norms in patriarchal Japan. A graduate of Waseda University, Ayumi initially honed her skills at Recruit Co., Ltd, overseeing the planning of a domestic e-commerce business. Inspired by requests from friends abroad for popular Japanese snacks, she founded TokyoTreat in 2015, driven by the global allure of Japanese treats.From humble beginnings on her living room floor, Ayumi's dedication turned TokyoTreat into a sought-after monthly subscription service for Japanese snacks. As a female CEO in a male-dominated industry, she shares her experiences and culture, leading the way for TokyoTreat subscribers worldwide.Beyond her role as a business leader, Ayumi embraces the joys and challenges of motherhood, balancing her role as a working mother of two children. Her journey shows that, even in a society where men typically hold more power, Ayumi is proof that women can succeed as CEOs.

Ayumi Chikamoto, the visionary CEO and founder of TokyoTreat & Sakuraco, is breaking barriers in a still largely patriarchal Japan. In 2015, Ayumi embarked on her journey, sharing beloved Japanese snacks globally through Sakuraco's sister brand, TokyoTreat. However, Ayumi's affinity for the cultural tradition of pairing tea with sweets fueled her desire to explore the deep roots of Japanese snack and afternoon tea culture leading her to create Sakuraco.Ayumi's mission goes beyond mere culinary delights; it bridges the gap between local makers and the global audience, supporting small businesses and fostering cultural exchange. Beyond her role as a business leader, Ayumi embraces the joys and challenges of motherhood, balancing her role as a working mother of two children. Her journey shows that, even in a society where men typically hold more power, Ayumi is proof that women can succeed as CEOs.

Ayla Barmmer, MS, RDN, LDN is the founder and CEO of FullWell, the only registered dietitian-founded and formulated reproductive health supplement brand that supports women and men at every stage. With 20+ years of experience in fertility nutrition, Ayla has taken an evidence-backed, foundational approach in developing the highest quality, effective, and thoroughly tested offering that clinicians and customers love, which has allowed her to build FullWell profitably from the start without venture backing. While currently on sabbatical from private practice, Ayla owns and operates Boston Functional Nutrition and co-founded the Women's Health Nutrition Academy in 2018. A letter from FullWell founder, Ayla Barmmer, MS, RD, LDNI founded FullWell as an adjunct to my clinical practice at Boston Functional Nutrition because I wanted to make the evidence-based, effective, and high-quality supplement we created for our clients available to the rest of the world.After almost two decades working on thousands of complex fertility cases, I’ve learned that no two are alike. In fact, fertility is arguably one of the most common yet perplexing health issues. The vast majority of people receive the most frustrating diagnosis of all: “unexplained infertility.” Popular medical interventions have notoriously poor success rates and often yield tremendous physical and emotional stress, not the mention the financial and relational impact.I synthesized decades of findings, looking at the needs that have emerged from the most straightforward to the most complex cases. My approach looks at the whole person, in the context of their environments, peeling back the layers until we grasp root issues. Over time, I've observed as many external and systemic causes of fertility issues as internal and specific concerns. For this reason, I believe in addressing our pursuit of fertility health as both an individual and collective need, carefully supporting a wide variety of inputs to build the optimal foundation for conception, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery.I'm thrilled that FullWell has garnered the enthusiastic endorsement of so many healthcare practitioners and physicians, but even more so in experiencing firsthand the satisfaction of our users. Every person who selects our prenatal formula is choosing to invest in their own health, and in the fundamental health of their baby. As both a mom and a clinician—I’m deeply honored to support them.Ayla BarmmerFounder, FullWell

I’m Atul Rawat, reaching out on behalf of GastroDoxs, a healthcare provider specializing in digestive health.

As Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tamer Essentials, Ashley combines financial expertise with a deep passion for innovation, entrepreneurship, and wellness. She brings years of experience in finance and data science to her role, where she leads financial strategy, planning, and investor relations to support transformative, science-backed health products.Working alongside her father, Steve, Ashley co-founded Tamer Essentials after witnessing the life-changing effects of Coffee Tamer (which neutralizes up to 90% of the acids in coffee to provide a smoother, more comfortable coffee experience) on her parents’ health. Inspired by its potential to help millions manage acid-related discomfort without giving up coffee, food, or wine, she embraced the opportunity to build something meaningful while spending precious time working with her parents.Beyond her professional roles, Ashley is a mother of three, a wife, and a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, especially in the areas of financial literacy and pursuing one’s life purpose. She thrives at the intersection of business and mission, and is committed to helping others unlock their full potential.

"Ashley Hawk is a nationally-recognized registered dietitian (RDN), television personality, and host. For the past 10 years Ashley has been working in media as a television host, producer, fashion model, and she was even Miss Arizona 2017. Ashley holds a Master's in Nutritional Science from San Jose State University and has been featured in over 100 television segments. Ashley loves combining her experience in mass media with her expertise in nutrition to help people feel empowered by the foods they eat and not overwhelmed by the information available.  Ashley has appeared on NBC, FOX, CBS, and ABC advocating for the importance of at-home cooking. She is the host of How Healthy Happens, a nationwide morning show special airing on The Food Network, and the former host of The Tucson Morning Blend a daily lifestyle show in her hometown of Tucson, Arizona. Along with her presence on national and local television, Ashley also loves connecting with her 33K+ followers on instagram where she shares practical tips, plus creative and simple meal ideas that foster a social media community focused on health-forward choices. Her "New(ish) Mom" demographic enjoys her creative and personable approach to providing information ranging from breastfeeding nutrition advice to single-serve dessert recipes.  As a mom to a three year old girl and a 3 month old baby boy, Ashley loves being able to relate to many members of her audience who are trying to balance work, family life, and health-forward eating. When Ashley is not in the kitchen you can find her training for her next marathon or riding her horses.  Follow Ashley at @AshleyHawkRD for quick and easy nutrition tips, fun recipes, and a look into her daily life."

Creed & Cloth is a brand founded by Arielle Stewart, a natural hair influencer whose platform centres on empowerment, positivity, and embracing authenticity, including her advocacy for going grey. Leveraging her expertise in haircare and her years of professional experience as an Assistant Buyer at Macy’s and Product Development Coordinator at Coach, Arielle built Creed & Cloth to combine quality craftsmanship with the power of self-love. Her diverse background helped her create a product that nurtures both the hair and spirit, offering something truly unique and meaningful.Drawing from her personal journey with affirmations and self-love, Arielle created Creed & Cloth to offer products that inspire and empower. The Law of Attraction scarf, the brand's flagship product, reflects her unique approach to style and self-care, blending luxurious materials with affirmations designed to uplift and transform.

I'm Anthony from Miami, where I blend design expertise with a flair for marketing to elevate brands like Mellow Fellow. My impact spans from eye-catching packaging to dynamic social media campaigns, significantly boosting our online presence and revenue, and solidifying our stance in the cannabis industry.