Experts

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.

Mat Fraser is a Canadian-American CrossFit athlete and one of the most dominant figures in the sport's history. He claimed victory at the CrossFit Games five consecutive times, from 2016 to 2020, setting a new benchmark for athletic excellence. In addition to co-founding while on earth alongside industry veteran Todd Meleney and fellow CrossFit legend Brooke Wells, Mathew founded the HWPO (“Hard Work Pays Off”) training platform in 2021 to share his high-performance programming. He also co-founded Podium Nutrition as part of his efforts to support competitive athletes.

Martine Lund Nielsen is the Chief Marketing Officer of Ella’s Flats, where she leads all brand, digital, and go-to-market efforts for the clean, all-seed cracker company. Martine brings deep expertise in marketing, digital strategy, e-commerce, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) growth, with a career spanning a variety of globally recognized brands. Originally from Norway, Martine has a personal connection to the product—Ella’s Flats are a nod to traditional Norwegian all-seed crackers, a staple she grew up enjoying. This cultural resonance fuels her passion for the brand and its mission to offer nutritious, clean-label snacks to health-conscious consumers. At Ella’s Flats, she is driving the company’s next chapter of growth, focused on expanding reach and deepening customer engagement nationwide.

Marty Ehrlich is the Senior Vice President of Customer Experience at Saatva. He has been in the home furnishings industry since 1987, starting as a part-time salesperson before rising through the ranks of showroom and territory management. In 1996, Marty began specializing in the customer service and quality control areas of the business. He has been involved in product development with both domestic and overseas factories. In 2015, Martin took advantage of an exciting opportunity to join Saatva.

In 2018, Martha founded her company, Storied Goods, makers of infused Sugar Cubes for cocktails, coffee, and tea. In 2019, Storied Goods won a Best of Virginia for the Rose Petal Sugar Cube for Champagne and in 2020, was a finalist in the Garden & Gun Best of the South Awards. Storied Goods Cubes are now found in major retailers and small boutiques across the country.Martha Bourlakas is a former instructor for police officers, traffic safety school participants, middle schoolers, high schoolers, and college students. Receiving her MFA in 2012, she published two books, Love Feast: Together at the Table, and Our One Word: Creating Spiritual Joy and Depth. Pre-Pandemic, she led Our One Word spiritual retreats for women across the county. Martha is wife, mother to three daughters, the oldest of whom has autism, and resides with her husband and two dogs in the mountains of Virginia.

Recognized by AdAge Magazine as one of the world’s leading “Marketing Technology Trailblazers” in 2017 and a #1 Best-Selling Selling Author on B2B Marketing and Sales, Mark Osborne brings decades of experience creating Revenue Growth Systems for Early Stage SaaS, Tech, and B2B Services Firms. Mark has delivered tens of millions of dollars in revenue for his clients often doubling revenues and pipeline in 90 days through his focus on building Revenue Systems that emphasize strategic approaches to revenue growth.  He is founder of Modern Revenue Strategies offering a "10X ROI B2B Growth Guarantee."

Mark Menning, PhD is a pharmaceutical scientist and the founder of MARK Los Angeles, a California-based skincare brand pioneering the use of flavonoids and advanced transdermal delivery to address cold sores, acne, and inflammation. With a PhD in Chemical Engineering and a track record that includes formulating FDA-approved antiviral therapies like Truvada and Atripla, Mark brings a rare blend of clinical expertise and entrepreneurial vision to the beauty and wellness space.His first venture, Nucleo Life Sciences, provided laboratory services focused on translational pharmaceutics and novel delivery systems, supporting clinical-stage programs for small, mid-sized, and large pharmaceutical companies. At the core of the brand is XDF™ (Transdermal Flavosomes), a proprietary system designed to solve the long-standing bioavailability issues of flavonoids by enabling them to penetrate the skin effectively.This technology drives a growing portfolio of performance-first products, including the Lip Rescue Serum and Lip Health Balm—a new standard in cold sore care—as well as the E.Q. Clear Skin collection, a clinically tested line formulated with flavonoids to calm inflammation and visibly improve blemish-prone skin.Mark is committed to bridging science and skincare, translating plant compounds into clinically validated actives with real-world efficacy and pharmaceutical-grade precision.

Marisa King is a seasoned marketing strategist, hospitality innovator, and motivational speaker with over 25 years of experience in the industry. As a trailblazer in the marketing world, Marisa has worked with some of the most influential brands, driving impactful strategies that blend creativity, data-driven insights, and consumer psychology to deliver exceptional results.As the author of "WTF is Happy?", Marisa brings a unique perspective to the discussion of happiness, mental well-being, and personal fulfillment. Her book challenges conventional ideas about what it means to be happy, combining humor, research, and real-world insights to inspire readers to redefine happiness on their own terms.Throughout her career, Marisa has been at the forefront of hospitality innovation, creating memorable experiences that engage and elevate customer satisfaction. Her work has earned her a reputation as a leader in the hospitality industry, known for her forward-thinking approach to guest experiences and her ability to transform concepts into successful, lasting brands.Beyond her professional achievements, Marisa is a passionate motivational speaker who shares her expertise and insights on everything from marketing and branding to mental health and personal growth. With her dynamic, engaging style, Marisa empowers audiences to challenge the status quo, embrace their potential, and live more authentic, fulfilling lives.Whether she’s crafting marketing campaigns, innovating in hospitality, or inspiring others with her message of empowerment, Marisa King is a force for positive change and a voice of wisdom for those seeking both personal and professional transformation.

Mariah Hilton Wood is the co-founder and President of Tilden, which she founded while earning her MBA at Harvard Business School. Previously, Mariah worked in Supply Chain Management consulting at PwC and. Mariah graduated with a degree in business management and supply chain Logistics from Brigham Young University. She is from Las Vegas, NV and enjoys bean-to-bar chocolate, adventuring (she most recently hiked Kilimanjaro), and beautifully organized excel models. She lives in Boston with her husband and young daughter.

Born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan, Maha moved to the U.S. at fifteen, carrying with her a deep appreciation for South Asian beauty traditions that would later inspire her brand, Seenaya. After earning her degree in Finance and Sociology from the University of Notre Dame, Maha began her career in investment banking, advising on mergers and acquisitions for leading consumer product companies like Johnson & Johnson, Church & Dwight and Prestige Brands. She later transitioned into private equity, where she worked closely with family and founder-led businesses and spent several years partnering with one of the top beauty contract manufacturers in the industry. Driven by a passion for building purpose-led brands, Maha went on to pursue her MBA at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, where she deepened her expertise in brand strategy and entrepreneurship.Today, Maha is the co-founder of Seenaya, a skincare brand rooted in the wisdom of generational beauty rituals and designed for the modern consumer.

Madison Popper is a renowned interior designer with a global clientele, spanning from Miami to the Hamptons and all the way to Israel. With an impressive portfolio and a passion for creating captivating spaces, he has become a prominent figure in the design world.Hailing from Long Island, and currently based in Miami, Madison's early passion for design led him to study interior design and refine his skills under industry experts. His unique approach focuses on reflecting his clients' personalities and aspirations, resulting in elegant and timeless designs. Madison's ability to seamlessly blend different design elements and incorporate cultural influences has made him sought-after designer worldwide.With a dedication to excellence and an eye for detail, Popper has received numerous accolades and her work has been featured in prestigious design publications. His commitment to creating harmonious spaces that surpass clients' expectations has solidified his position as a leading interior designer in the global design community.

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.