Experts

Meet Zac Stern, a young visionary with a keen mind in business and love.Earning a coveted spot at the NYU Stern School of Business was just the beginning of Zac's early success. While still in school, Zac interned at UBS, AIG, Stifel, and Rosecliff Ventures. After realizing that he enjoyed the world of startups, he worked full-time as a VC his Senior year at Stern and was promoted to associate upon graduation in 2020. At the same time, Zac founded an angel investment group with three other friends called O-Ventures, which raised over $1M and funded various top companies within the consumer space. While working as a venture capitalist, Zac got to see Innovation firsthand and realized after seeing the 50th pitch deck for a dating app that the matchmaking market was oversaturated. Still, no one was looking at what came after the match. With an ear toward opportunity and a desire to fill an unmet need, Zac went right to work building an app so everyone could have better relationships. Official was born, a next-generation social media app built to help couples have healthier and happier relationships. After being honest with his employer about moonlighting with his project, Zac was congratulated by being flat-out fired. This proved to be a gift, as Official became his sole focus as of October 2020. After being interviewed by the Mayor of Miami and going viral on TikTok, Official's beta crashed from too many people mobbing the platform. After taking the feedback and putting out an MVP In July, the app once again was overrun with over 85k people signing up for the platform In a week., putting the app at #5 within the US on Apple's Lifestyle Charts. The team raised from top Investors such as Global Founders Capital, Gaingels, and various notable angels, bringing the funding to 750k. After a much-awaited hiatus, Official Is back and Is here to redefine what It means to date, and really, what It means to be Official.

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!

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.

Tom Arrix is CEO and founder of Get Joy, the makers of vet-developed meals and treats. (www.getjoyfood.com).Get Joy is a dog wellness company with gut-healthy nutrition at its core, and a mission to improve the lives of families through pet health and nutrition.After his dog was diagnosed with lymphoma, Tom founded Get Joy with the goal of making dogs’ lives exceptional, disease-free, and healthy throughout their lifetime. He sees a day where chronic diseases are no longer health and wellness high hurdles for dogs to clear.Get Joy prioritizes a dog's health with science-backed fresh and freeze-dried meals, superfood treats, and brand-new supplements using ingredients optimized for a dog's gut health, digestion, and immunity.

Stephanie Kriebel is a visionary business leader whose innovative spirit and can-do attitude are hallmarks of her success. Since co-founding OMG! Pretzels in 2014, her business and operations strategies have more than tripled the company. As CEO, Stephanie practices straightforward and transparent communication and leads by example – hard work, strong goals, and big dreams. She is leading the charge in changing the narrative around the role snack products play in our lives. Prior to starting OMG! Pretzels, Stephanie was an award-winning educator and program developer. She focused her knowledge on immigrant integration to enhance health, workforce development, and racial equity. Stephanie, MS, CHES®, is also accredited by the California Council for Adult Education (CCAE), Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE), American Public Health Association (APHA), and Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE). Stephanie is proud to be a female business owner and is committed to encouraging others in their ventures. As a wellness expert, she appreciates the importance of strong support networks and enjoys developing relationships with like-minded business leaders.

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.

Sloane Gibney Grossberg is the founder of and sole designer for shortyLOVE bags. A Jersey girl always and forever, she’s devoted to her husband and two children, stays close to her sisters, walks her dogs daily, and falls hard for a smart, stylish bag — that’s why she designs them for a living!

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.

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.

Sarah is the CEO and co-founder of Vinat. She has 8+ years of corporate experience. She started her career as a business analyst at a boutique consulting firm in New York City. Then, she spent seven years in Corporate finance roles at Fortune 500 companies spanning pricing strategy, supporting large capital-intensive projects, preparing board and investor relations materials, and spearheading cost reductions during the pandemic. Outside her corporate day job, pre-COVID, Sarah ran a successful travel blog with over 50K Instagram followers and has traveled to 50+ countries. During the pandemic, Sarah started a luxury woman's accessory business, Fofas, with a friend and her sister. Sarah holds an MBA from IESE Business School and a Bachelor's in Finance and Supply Chain Management from Lehigh University. She's also a certified Spanish Wine Scholar from Wine Scholar Guild and is working on her Italian Wine Scholar certification. Sarah lived in Barcelona for two years and splits her time between Austin and Europe. 

Ryan Duey was born and raised in Northern California. He attended Cal Poly University where he spent a semester abroad in Barcelona. The experience was so impactful that after graduation, Ryan returned to Spain and spent the next two years living and working in Madrid. After Madrid, Ryan returned to the states and began working in the front office 2of the San Jose Earthquakes. Soon after, Ryan had what he calls his “greatest gift”: a head-on motorcycle accident in Thailand. This near-death experience catapulted Ryan into a journey of self-inquiry, leading him to the jungles of the Amazon, the inside of a float tank, and a commitment to entrepreneurship in the Health and Wellness industry.While building Capitol Floats, Sacramento's Premier Float Center, Ryan traveled to Reboot Float Spa in the Bay Area with the hopes of meeting the owner, Mike Garrett. The two quickly became friends and business confidants.Now, six years later, Ryan and Mike are taking the next step together and have joined forces to create Plunge. Their mission is to make cold plunging as common as coffee. Ryan couldn’t be more grateful and excited to be working alongside such an impressive human and building the team at Plunge.