Experts

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.

An integral part of the Umbra design team since 2001, Matt has contributed countless designs to their product line. His work has been featured multiple times in The New York Times, The Daily Telegraph, Surface Magazine, I.D Magazine, Met Home, Monocle, and Living Etc.Matt is compelled to create product that balances business and imagination. Subtle details, an appreciation for imperfection, and the reinvention of traditional objects are distinguishing features of his designs. As VP of Design, Matt oversees a global design department headquartered in Toronto.

Erika has been deeply invested into the restaurant and theater industries since 2006, straddling both to fulfill her innate creativity. Head bartender, Mixologist, and Experience host, she is always looking for new products to improve the ride. Wine enthusiast, beer lover, and cocktail creator, she is currently the front of house manager at Martha’s in Hoboken.

Claudia Hearne is Managing Director of Hearne House Ltd. She has been in the construction industry for over ten years and specialises in high end residential renovations in London. In 2022 and 2023 she was named in the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction by the National Federation of Builders.

My book #LivingSugarFree Revealed is available now on Amazon.#LivingSugarFree is not a diet, it is a lifestyle.I founded Better Me, Inc. in 2007 to help improved communities, businesses and lifestyles one solution at a time. Together we are the solution.

The former Head of Knitwear for Oscar de La Renta, Christian Dior, Carolina Herrera and Vera Wang brings 10+ years’ experience and expertise in fiber science, fabric construction and design to the team. Having developed apparel for many VIP clients such as Vice President Kamala Harris, worn on the eve of the 2021 Presidential inauguration, Alexandra has a keen understanding and attention to quality control, with a focus on fabrics and fibers. Alexandra has spearheaded the development of Welles’ proprietary materials and components, as well as implemented key sourcing & sustainability strategies and management systems. At the height of the pandemic, Alexandra mitigated and diverted severe supply chain disruptions of raw materials caused by Covid-19, allowing GOLDATECH to fulfill large volume contracts without delays. Formerly from the UK, Alexandra is a graduate of Central Saint Martin’s University, London.

Adra Kusnirova is a former international student program manager turned fishmonger. As a former resident of Alaska, Adra came to know the fishing community intimately and held on to that attachment when she settled in Wisconsin. Together, with her husband, she started Alaska Fresh, a Midwest beacon for sustainably sourced, wild-caught Alaskan seafood that can delivered right to your doorstep.