Experts

Ulli HaslacherFounder, Inventor & CEO, Pour Moi Skincare Beauty Futurist | Wellness Advocate | Beauty Tech InnovatorUlli Haslacher is the inventor of Climate-Smart® Skincare and the visionary Founder and CEO of Pour Moi Skincare—the world’s first skincare brand scientifically formulated to adapt in real time to the local climate. She revolutionized traditional beauty routines by creating a patent-protected rotating skincare system based on environmental adaptation—an innovation honored by TIME Magazine as one of the “100 Best Inventions of the Year” and published by the United States National Library of Medicine for its scientific and dermatological significance. It is likely the first non-medicated cosmetic invention in the beauty industry to achieve this distinction.At the forefront of the beauty tech movement, Ulli designed Pour Moi’s AI-powered tools—the Cream Finder and Drop Finder—to remove the guesswork from skincare. These real-time, environmental tools analyze local weather conditions and instantly guide users to the right product for the day. Integrated directly onto each bottle, they create a highly personalized experience that is both interactive and educational. This next-generation technology marks a bold leap in real-time skin optimization and drives conversion by giving consumers the “why” behind each choice—every day, everywhere.Before launching Pour Moi, Ulli co-owned an international company with the late Olivia Newton-John, dedicated to advancing breast cancer awareness through wellness campaigns and corporate partnerships. She also ran a successful boutique consulting firm specializing in women’s health, wellness, and beauty—advising dermatologists, start-ups, and Fortune 500 companies across product development, media, and retail.Her passion for climate was sparked early, shaped by a unique upbringing traveling the globe with her father, Robert Strouhal, who introduced climate-resilient industrial coatings from Austria to the world. That firsthand exposure to the power of local environments inspired Ulli to reimagine what skincare could—and should—be.Today, Ulli continues to lead Pour Moi’s growth as a disruptive force in beauty tech, blending science, sustainability, and smart technology to deliver climate-adaptive skincare that empowers consumers with healthier, more radiant skin—wherever life takes them.

Tom First launched Culture Pop Soda in June 2020, reinventing what soda should be. Tom co-founded Nantucket Nectars in the 1980s and has spent the last two decades working with emerging beverage brands. He couldn’t ignore the gap in the carbonated soft drink industry any longer and set out to craft a soda that doesn’t skimp on flavor and is just sweet enough. The idea for Culture Pop struck Tom when he tried a sip of his son's mocktail. "I remember the mocktail had sprigs of rosemary with juice, and I'm a beverage guy, so I'm sitting there starring at my son's drink thinking, my gosh, why hasn't anyone done this with a soda?" He knew he was ready to re-enter the ring when he and the founding team unlocked a winning formula by combining organic fruit juices with real, organic herbs & spices to create dynamic, delicious flavors. No need to add the high sugar levels of traditional soda or ultra-sweet substitutes of diet sodas. Culture Pop also contains billions of live probiotics in every can to aid gut health and digestion, which is something Tom is a strong proponent of supporting.

A fashion industry vet, Rachel has worked in apparel for nearly years, first cutting her teeth at Authentic Brands Group in 2004. From there she worked her way through the industry— eventually becoming Oscar de la Renta’s Head of Product, after years of learning her craft at Ralph Lauren, The Row, and Ralph Rucci. The pandemic sparked a new entrepreneurial chapter for both Rachel and her team— the March 2020 launch of their non-profit ‘Garment District for Gowns,’ aimed to help under- served healthcare workers, led to the eventual formation of their company ‘Goldatech,’ which manufactures uniforms, medical, and surgical apparel for state agencies and the Department of Defense (U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard). Rachel's team were the first awardees of Empire State Development's Covid Retooling Grant out of 40,000 applicants, and was awarded the 2021 NYS MWBE Innovation Award. Rachel has now launched Welles, an ESG-focused scrubs company on a mission to reset technical performance and environmental accountability standards.

Priscilla Manzo is the Director of Public Relations at Dragon Glassware, a Sacramento-based boutique and luxury glassware company offering a variety of modern and unique barware and drinkware for the home and kitchen. Manzo leads all public relations, social media, and influencer marketing efforts on behalf of Dragon Glassware.For the entirety of her career, Manzo has focused on public exposure and brand advancement through digital marketing and effective public relations strategies. Manzo started her digital marketing career in NYC PR and Marketing firms that specialized in the fashion and beauty industry. From there, she moved on to work at an in-house social media firm for a sunglasses start-up. With a great focus on influencer marketing, Priscilla aided in the brand’s growth from a 5 figure brand to a 7 figure brand. Manzo combined her expertise in the marketing and public relations space to mesh together the ultimate PR and social media formula for Dragon Glassware’s social media success. Manzo joined Dragon Glassware in 2019, and has helped leverage the brand’s social growth ever since.

Check out our new Corporate Video:https://www.dropbox.com/s/9vzy683jhkuejex/Final%20DelilahHome_Personal_v03.mp4?dl=0Michael Twer – CEO of Delilah Home | Sustainable Business LeaderMichael Twer is the innovative and passionate CEO behind Delilah Home, a brand dedicated to creating luxurious, sustainable home goods that prioritize both the environment and consumer well-being. With a vision rooted in eco-consciousness, Michael has led the company’s growth through a commitment to high-quality, ethically produced products that make a positive impact.Career and Leadership: Under Michael’s leadership, Delilah Home has become known for its eco-friendly linens, including organic cotton bed sheets, towels, and kitchen textiles, crafted from organic hemp and cotton. Michael’s commitment to sustainability has driven the company to adopt environmentally friendly practices throughout its supply chain, from sourcing materials to manufacturing in Portugal, where ethical labor standards and sustainable production processes are upheld.In addition to Delilah Home’s signature products, Michael spearheaded the development of the Drytek line of high-performance towels, made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. This innovation demonstrates his ability to blend sustainability with functionality, meeting consumer demand for high-quality, eco-friendly alternatives.Major Achievements:Successfully expanded Delilah Home into major retail partnerships with Target, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Perigold, and Amazon, showcasing the brand’s appeal to mainstream consumers seeking sustainable products.Developed the Drytek line of towels, gaining attention for its quick-drying, antimicrobial, and compact design, while maintaining Delilah Home’s commitment to using recycled materials.Launched North America's first Take Back Program for towels, allowing customers to return used Drytek towels for repair, donation, or recycling, furthering Delilah Home’s sustainability mission.Partnered with THEMAGIC5, a Shark Tank company, to create custom swim towel accessories for their customer base, expanding Delilah Home’s presence in the sports and swim markets.Industry Expertise and Background: Michael’s deep expertise in sustainable textiles extends beyond his role at Delilah Home. From 2018 to 2024, he served as the Chairman of the Organic Trade Association Fiber Council, where he helped shape the industry’s standards for organic fiber and textiles. His work in this capacity further cemented his reputation as a leader in the movement towards sustainable, ethical manufacturing practices.Entrepreneurial Spirit and Personal Motivation: Michael’s journey with Delilah Home has not been without challenges. The company faced significant struggles, particularly at the start of 2023, but through his resilience and the support of close communities, Delilah Home turned things around, reaching new heights of success. Michael’s entrepreneurial drive is fueled by his passion for creating products that not only serve consumers but also protect the planet for future generations.Community and Inspiration: The inspiration behind Delilah Home is personal to Michael. The brand is named after Delilah, a golden retriever puppy that Michael rescued, who survived an extraordinary 62 days alone in the North Carolina mountains. Delilah’s survival and spirit of perseverance inspired Michael and the community around him, serving as the heart of the brand’s mission to foster care, resilience, and sustainability in every aspect of life.Looking Ahead: As Delilah Home continues to grow, Michael remains focused on expanding the company’s product lines, with plans to launch new offerings such as Drytek Pet Towels and further develop the brand’s presence in the eco-friendly home goods market. He is also actively seeking opportunities to invest in and collaborate with like-minded businesses that share his passion for sustainability.

Matt Rollens is the Founder and CEO of Dragon Glassware, a Sacramento-based boutique and luxury glassware company offering a variety of modern and unique barware and drinkware for the home and kitchen.In 2016, Rollens received a glass tea bottle from Amazon that left him disappointed with its quality, so he decided to make a better one himself. Come 2017, the former exec at a small ad agency embarked on a glass constructing journey and never looked back. Rollens identified a need in the specialty drinkware market, concluding there was a gap in barware embodying bold, modern designs. Inspired by Jeff Bezos, Founder, and CEO of Amazon, Rollens also honed in on the customer experience to understand his consumers and create the best possible products and experiences. Fusing his graphic design expertise and consumer focus, Dragon Glassware, a leader in the barware industry, was born.

Madeleine Macks is the Chief Operating Officer of Ella’s Flats, where she leads business operations, strategy, and growth for the family-owned brand known for its clean, all-seed crackers. Prior to joining Ella’s Flats, Madeleine was a Principal at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where she advised Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups across the consumer and retail sectors. Her work spanned brand strategy, innovation, supply chain optimization, and go-to-market planning. She also has a background in real estate and international development—areas she advised on during her time at BCG. Madeleine graduated with honors from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her MBA with a concentration in Strategic Management. She is passionate about building mission-driven businesses that put real food and wellness first.

Lola Banjo is a lifelong learner, a dreamer, a doer, passionate about people, the world, giving back and trying to make things better than they once were.She has studied around the world and has earned academic degrees in Engineering, Mathematics, Strategy and Finance, but she will always be most grateful for her "real world" education. As a global citizen, she has traveled to over 100 countries, fully immersing herself in various cultures and ways of life. From the streets of New York, Lagos and Milan, to the shores of Rio de Janeiro, Honolulu and Okinawa and the hills of Auckland, San Francisco and Valparaíso, she diligently studies and soaks up the best of various cultures and street fashion.With Silver & Riley, she is grateful to be able to blend her engineering background with her knowledge of global business and her love for fashion design, inherited from her mother. She sees possibility in everything and deeply believes that business can be a force for good. She cherishes the opportunity to create products that not only make people look good, but also feel good and using her gift as a vehicle for positive change in the world (for example, through the brand's Buy 1, Give 5 program). Outside of Silver & Riley, she is involved in initiatives that support education, economic empowerment, equity/diversity, and women.

A North Carolina native, Kathryn Robinson is an accomplished alumna of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She graduated summa cum laude, earning an Honors Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, complemented by a minor in Journalism. Kathryn's professional journey spans diverse industries, both large and small, specializing in marketing and public relations. Her expertise lies in orchestrating brand creation, crafting dynamic marketing strategies, steering advertising campaigns, and executing public relations engagements. Kathryn's contributions extend to leading marketing research initiatives for industry giants such as McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, and Delaware North.In 2017, Kathryn embarked on a new career chapter, stepping away from the corporate world to channel her multifaceted expertise into her own consulting business. For the next five years, she offered invaluable guidance to small businesses across sectors, advising them on operational and marketing strategies, innovative product concepts and functional formulations . Among her clientele were two burgeoning cannabis companies, where she discovered the profound wellness potential of the plant, especially when synergized with other natural, functional ingredients. Kathryn noticed a gaping void in the market for innovative wellness products tailored for the modern woman and transparent brands didn’t exist (until now). Armed with this insight and her profound industry and product formulation knowledge, Kathryn sought to not only fill these gaps but to revolutionize women's wellness landscape altogether. In November 2022, NOVA was born.Beyond her professional commitments, Kathryn is an ardent fitness enthusiast and a dedicated dog mom. She cherishes her daily ritual of tackling the New York Times crossword over a latte each morning and she devoutly attends Elevation e-church on Sundays. Kathryn's free time is often spent in the introspective study of scripture and philosophical works, delving into her latest fascination, and rapping her favorite Jay-Z songs (but not every word…).

A long-time New Yorker now based in Bermuda and Paris, Kate Lessa is the creative behind the brand—responsible for Saint Holiday's design, images, and overall mood. A Philadelphia native and alumnus of Boston University, she started working as a stylist after graduation.  This work led to a fascination with design and a move to New York City.  After years of designing accessories for brands DVF, Vera Wang and J Crew, Kate teamed up with friend Vijay Paintal in 2018 and pivoted into resort wear. An avid traveler, she always shops for wearable souvenirs on her trips.  Exploring markets, hotel boutiques, and artisan shops for embroidered tops, crochet dresses, and beaded jewelry, she likes to find items that conjure memories of a specific place and time. Influenced by this hobby, the duo started making vacation-ready pieces at a small factory in New York City.  The first samples were inspired by a vintage tuxedo shirt bought in the South of France.  Barneys picked up the launch collection and many of these original designs are still core to the brand. 

I am the founder and CEO of KMO HAUS - a one-of-a-kind agency that combines affiliate PR management, consulting, and human design-led business guidance. My mission is to help individuals and businesses achieve their goals while feeling their best and honoring their uniqueness. I believe we’re all unique and brilliant humans, designed to operate and experience life differently. As a certified Human Design and energy reader, I use Human Design as a tool to blend, empower and support my clients in creating and executing effective strategies that align with their energy, purpose, and potential to create a more productive and highly autonomous work culture. This innovative approach has the ability to reduce turnover and hiring costs.I also leverage my extensive editorial network and always evolving industry knowledge of affiliate PR to generate exposure, revenue, and partnerships for KMO's category-defining DTC brand clients across various industries. Equally passionate about mentorship and community building, since launching KMO December 2020, I have delivered over 60+ hours of affiliate PR training to 300+ industry professionals.With a dedicated heart and focused mind, I set new standards for individuality in the workforce and expand perspectives for what’s possible.

Our journey began in 2019 when Julie Napolitano founded Pup Wax®,  the first & only 100% clean premium skincare for dogs. February 2022, Pup Wax® rebranded as Puppington®, and our assortment evolved into a comprehensive collection of products designed to promote dog mental health and well-being. Julie has cross-cultural leadership experience at Fortune 500 companies and a track record of building successful partnerships with international teams to deliver innovation and scalable, consistent results. Prior to founding Pup Wax / Puppington, Julie led multiple international cross-functional teams in a variety of global strategic projects as head of global legal operations for Bunge, where she also served as Chief of Staff to the Chief Legal Officer. Julie has extensive experience in new business development and establishing new business units, commodity derivatives, managing risk, and treasury management. Over more than 10 years, Julie contributed to various areas of Bunge, having also served as Assistant Treasurer, head of Global Financial Services Group Business Development, Commodity Derivatives Trader, and Cross Asset Solutions Strategist. Prior to joining Bunge, Julie focused on financial market analysis and risk management at Lehman Brothers and HypoVereinsbank.Julie served on the board of GallopNYC, an organization that provides hippotherapy and therapeutic riding services to children with disabilities from low-income families.Julie has an MBA from the Johnson School at Cornell University and a BS in Computer Science from Columbia University, School of Engineering and Applied Science.A dog mom to two adopted rescue hounds, Julie lives in Chappaqua, NY. Each foster that joins the family has a permanent place in her heart.