Experts

Wendy Herman is a dynamic fashion industry and retail executive with 20+ years of experience and deep-rooted expertise in intimate apparel. Her core competency lies in her transformative approach to the fashion sector, particularly in revolutionizing teens & young women's bra drawers through her pioneering intimate brand, BRABAR. In 2017, BRABAR was born from Wendy's firsthand challenges in finding suitable bras with her then 15-year-old daughter, igniting her mission to pivot the focus from body image to self-love and proper fit. Wendy combines her journey as a mother of three and her vast industry experience to redefine comfort and confidence in young women's lives. Her notable contributions include working on launching significant intimate lines for Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Yummie. Aspiring to be a changemaker, Wendy’s vision extends beyond mere brand success; she aims to empower the next generation of women, positioning herself as a leading figure in creating impactful, positive change in the intimate apparel landscape.

Vanessa Valiente is San Diego's #1 Personal Stylist and creator of VSTYLE, the first and longest standing fashion blog in America's finest city (Est. 2007). She has worked with numerous celebrities and was voted a “Top Stylist” by Modern Luxury and FINE magazine. Vanessa is also the author of, The Personal Stylist’s Handbook, the bible for aspiring stylists. Vanessa has been featured in The Washington Post, InStyle, The Zoe report and BOF.

Co-Founder and Chief Eating Officer of Every Body Eat®, serial entrepreneur, and a mastermind of innovation. With a track record that includes launching her first company right out of college and selling it within four years, Trish has been a pioneering force since the '90s. She built the era's first safe online community for youth and, a decade later, expanded transmedia entertainment to a global scale, reaching 100 countries in 65 languages. Her expertise in digital strategy is sought after by industry giants like IBM, Dreamworks, and Nissan, among others.Trish is not just about business; she's also passionate about nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs. She developed a groundbreaking college curriculum focused on enhancing the psychological resilience of founders, aiming to boost startup success rates. Currently, she imparts her entrepreneurial wisdom as faculty at Northwestern University and made significant contributions as the former Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Lake Forest College.But Trish's vibrant personality extends beyond her professional achievements. A food lover and people connector, she's the heart of her family, a devoted mom to six boys. In her world, the perfect evening is one where everyone gathers around a table for a meal that EVERY BODY can eat, especially when she's not the one cooking!

Tonya McKenzie, founder of Sand & Shores, is an international speaker, moderator, author, and civil servant. Tonya is also a Los Angeles County Commissioner of Alcohol and Other Drugs. She is a master storyteller at the intersection of communications and leadership. Tonya consults organizations and businesses to help them tell their story, elevate their brand awareness, and build a strong reputation. Tonya is a PR and reputation specialist. She hosts the top-100 leadership podcast, Leaders & Learners, and is the co-host of My Morning Coffee Podcast.Tonya McKenzie was the first African American woman elected to the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, and president of the North Redondo Beach Business Association. She was the only African American named Redondo Beach Woman of the Year (2021). She serves on the City of Redondo Beach GPAC (General Plan Advisory Council), is Vice president of the Black Public Relations Society – Los Angeles, the Redondo Beach Emergency Crisis Council, and the Advisory Council for Better Youth. Her body of work with chambers and business associations has shaped her into an advocate and valuable resource for small businesses and community organizations.Tonya McKenzie can be found highlighted in the pages of Amazing Moms: Parents of the 21st Century. As a young gun violence survivor, she has become a dedicated youth advocate. She is the author of a memoir titled, A Child's Memories of Cartoons and Murder. Tonya has been married for over 20 years, and has four kids, including a set of twins.

Tekla is a consumer industry authority with 25+ years of experience in both corporate and startups. Tekla is the Co-Founder of KEY, the first-of-its-kind, all-natural energy drink, providing long-lasting energy through our bodies natural energy source: ketones.Prior to founding KEY, Tekla founded KEHO, an award-winning real food savory snack business. Tekla is a proven beverage innovator. She was previously Senior Executive at PepsiCo, a Fortune 50 company and the largest Food & Beverage Company in the US and 2nd largest in the world. At PepsiCo, Tekla led CorporateStrategy globally and previously was the Head of Hydration Marketing for the $1bn waters category, where she successfully elevated plain water into a premium product. Prior to PepsiCo, Tekla spent a decade with McKinsey & Co, focused primarily in retail. She holds a doctorate in Physics from Oxford University and an Associate Degree in Fashion Design from FIT. She is originally from Finland and is currently living in Miami with her partner Tomi Jane, and their two cats Samia and Olavi.

Tara Williams is the Founder and CEO of Dreamland Baby. After an appearance on Shark Tank that featured her gently weighted sleep sacks, Tara’s innovative line of infant/toddler sleep solutions quickly became a new parent must-have. Dreamland Baby’s products include its proprietary LuxeWeave® bamboo sleepwear collection of pajamas, onesies, bibs, sleep bags, crib sheets, and more. Under Tara's leadership Dreamland Baby has helped over one million families worldwide get the sleep they deserve Before taking on this entrepreneurial endeavor, Tara spent 10+ years in the medical device industry in business development, marketing and sales. She now resides in Newport Beach, CA, with her husband and four children and adoringly refers to the company as her 5th baby! To learn more about Dreamland Baby, please visit www.dreamlandbabyco.com.

Sue serves as Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Brutus Broth, Inc. Sue is a graduate of St. Lawrence University and has a strong background in marketing and business. Before launching Brutus Broth, Sue co-founded and served as President of Ilios Dairy Brands, LLC, a dairy company focused on offering an innovative and natural alternative in the dairy segment. The Ilios’ Greek Yogurt Butter was lauded as a “Top New Products” by Supermarket Guru in August 2012 and as a “Rising Star” in Specialty Foods Magazine in November 2012. Prior to launching Ilios, Sue spent 10 years as a fundraising and strategic marketing professional in a variety of non-profit organizations. She focused on major giving ($10,000+), endowment gifts and planned giving. She played a key role in securing gifts from Individuals, Foundations and Corporations as well as handling all Media Relations.

Stephanie has a track record of 15 years in entrepreneurship, she has expertise in building Sales and Go To Market teams, with experience ranging from startups to public companies. In her last role, Stephanie joined the founding team of a FinTech company, eventually leading to a successful IPO. Besides running Blue Cove Preserves, she is an angel investor and advisor.

Stacey Feeley, is a seasoned entrepreneur dedicated to creating a cultural shift in how consumer goods are used, driven by sustainable and environmental initiatives. She has launched and scaled several startups focusing on environmental and social initiatives, successfully lead multiple funding rounds through different platforms, ventures and strategic financing, as well as lead 2 successful acquisitions. In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Stacey is deeply committed to social responsibility, driven by equitable access and giving back to the community. She firmly believes in the power of entrepreneurship as a force for positive change.Stacey is currently the co-founder and CEO of GoSili®, a consumer product company that produces silicone tableware as a replacement to plastic.  The brand has built a social movement away from toxic and unsustainable plastic wares by providing the alternative to them. Over the last 17 years, Stacey has been the powerhouse behind GoSili, creating a cultural shift in the marketplace away from the overuse of these “throw away” plastics. Her determination and dedication have played a crucial role in building the brand that continues to make a difference for human health and the planet.

Snehee Chaplot is a visionary entrepreneur, food scientist, and the founder of Gallivant Ice Cream. With over 15 years of experience in food safety and innovation, Snehee brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to the culinary world.Born and raised in India, Snehee's early exposure to diverse flavors and culinary traditions sparked her curiosity and ignited her love for food. She pursued her academic interests in food science, earning a degree in Food Technology and furthering her studies in Food Safety.Throughout her career, Snehee has been driven by a desire to create food products that not only tantalize the taste buds but also prioritize health and well-being. Her journey with Gallivant Ice Cream began as a personal quest to develop a frozen treat that would cater to her dietary needs while offering a delicious indulgence for others.Drawing inspiration from her Indian heritage and a passion for global cuisine, Snehee embarked on a mission to revolutionize the frozen dessert industry. Through meticulous research and experimentation, she perfected the art of crafting mawa ice creams, infusing Ayurvedic principles of dairy farming and processing to create a truly unique and tummy-friendly treat.Snehee's dedication to quality, innovation, and sustainability has propelled Gallivant Ice Cream to new heights, earning recognition for its commitment to excellence in taste and nutrition. As a leader in the field of food innovation, Snehee continues to inspire others with her creative vision and unwavering dedication to crafting culinary delights that delight the senses and nourish the body.

Simone Kendle, Chief Executive Officer of Wove, the venture-backed revolutionary online custom jewelry company, known for its unique approach in helping couples design their dream engagement rings and fine jewelry pieces.Simone, with her most recent tenure as co-founder and CMO at the beauty-tech start-up Parfait, has seamlessly blended her robust corporate and entrepreneurial leadership skill set throughout her career. During her 8-year tenure at Capital One, she ascended through various pivotal roles, marrying strategic customer experience analysis, team leadership, and operational efficacy across her corporate journey. Simultaneously, her entrepreneurial spirit thrived; she established a compassionate hair company supporting women battling cancer and co-founded an educational platform to support the growth of blossoming social media influencers. Ultimately, her venture into tech materialized with the co-founding of Parfait, a computer-vision and AI-powered wig customization platform.A graduate of The Wharton School with an MBA focused in Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Simone possesses not just profound knowledge but a capability to intertwine it with practical experiences. This has resulted in a leadership style that harmoniously blends innovative, customer-oriented market strategies and business growth objectives.

Shirley Leigh-Wood Oakes is the Founding Partner and CEO of Mezcal Campante, an independent spirits brand alongside her partners Luca Longobardi and José Luis Bustamante. With a rich background in brand development across various premium and luxury sectors, including technology, automotive, hospitality, and spirits, Leigh-Wood Oakes brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Driven by her passion for craft beverages and a profound interest in the intricacies of their production, Leigh-Wood Oakes was captivated by the world of agave spirits after delving into its techniques, history, and her family's affinity for Mexico. Collaborating with her partners, Campante emerged as a culmination of years of research, embodying the timeless qualities of traditional artisanal mezcal. Leigh-Wood Oakes set two fundamental goals for Campante: it had to deliver exceptional smoothness and unparalleled drinkability. As a leading female partner, Leigh-Wood Oakes is paving the way for female consumers and empowering women within the spirits industry.