Celine Vignal is the founder of Seesaw Health, a pioneering femtech company at the intersection of women’s health, biosensing, and behavioral therapies. With over two decades of global experience in sensor technology, marketing, and product innovation, her work bridges cutting-edge science with deeply personal insight.After decades of navigating chronic migraines, Celine became driven to understand the link between nervous system regulation, cyclical inflammation, and chronic symptoms. This journey inspired Seesaw Health’s mission: to help women rebalance their nervous system and exit fight-or-flight mode (quickly, naturally, and effectively) through biofeedback-guided breathwork.Under her leadership, Seesaw’s cross-disciplinary team is advancing patented digital biomarkers and real-time analytics that translate physiological signals into daily, actionable feedback. Using the company’s egg biosensor and companion breathwork app, women can now visualize their body’s stress and recovery cycles, gaining confidence and control over daily stressors, anxiety, flare-ups, and hormonal shifts that often disrupt focus, energy, and well-being.A passionate advocate for data-informed women’s health, Celine is recognized for her ability to turn scientific complexity into intuitive, human-centered solutions. She was named to the Forbes Next 1000 list in 2021 and among the 50 Most Influential French in the U.S. Seesaw Health received Design Capital by Femovate in 2024 for its innovation in women’s wellness technology, and in 2025, Celine was honored as a finalist for the Women in Technology (WIT) Award for her leadership and impact in femtech innovation.

Taylor Hansen is an innovative brand and growth leader with 20 years of proven experiencebuilding and scaling iconic global and emerging brands. She has led businesses across multipleverticals within LVMH, VF Corporation, and Zadig&Voltaire, and most recently scaling heraward-winning consultancy, The Versed Group.Blending creativity with commercial strategy, she drives growth that moves culture. At LVMH,she concepted and led the build and commercial implementation of the world’s first AI-poweredskincare and color face finder—now a standard for leading wellness brands and responsible forbillions in conversion revenue.A Sustainable MBA graduate and certified Integrative Health Practitioner, Taylor is deeplycommitted to advancing women’s health innovation and Lyme disease awareness.As Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer at Xella Health, Taylor joins the team in redefining thefuture of women’s healthcare. A speaker, mentor, and Forbes contributor, she is known foruniting brands and teams around purposes that are both socially responsible and commerciallypowerful.

A pioneer in data science and computational biology, Olga Sazonova translates moonshot R&Dinto market-moving products in consumer genomics, cancer detection, and personalizednutrition.During her Biomedical Engineering PhD at Boston University, Olga taught herself to code,earning a coveted NIH postdoctoral fellowship in computational science at Stanford. Balancingmotherhood with her biotech career, she joined 23andMe, first leading massive genomic studiesin neurological disease before moving to the product team to build the core machine learningmodels for their consumer polygenic risk scores. At GRAIL, she spearheaded the R&D for novelAI-driven early cancer detection.As Director of Data Science at Nutrisense, Olga built the research program from scratch,directing IRB-approved clinical studies and unleashing LLMs to validate product efficacy. AtXella Health, she now leads a team of scientists and engineers developing the first AI-driven,multi-omics powered 'magnifying lens' to illuminate female reproductive health and biology.

Dr. Olivia Todd is Director of Clinical Studies and Academic Collaborations at Sorridi Therapeutics, where she helps turn gut–brain science into meaningful research. With a PhD in Microbiology and training in fungal-bacterial interactions, her background spans basic science, clinical study design, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. At Sorridi, she leads research programs exploring how dietary fibers and microbiome modulation influence inflammation and neurological health, particularly in Parkinson’s disease. Known for her ability to connect data, people, and ideas, Dr. Todd works closely with clinicians, researchers, and industry partners to advance fiber-based interventions and communicate complex microbiome science in clear, human terms.

John E. Presutti is an accomplished executive whose career spans engineering, finance, marketing, operations, and pharmaceutical product development. He began his professional journey at Motorola as an Industrial Engineer before moving to G.D. Searle, where he held roles in finance, business development, new product marketing, and clinical trial oversight. He later joined Curatek Pharmaceuticals as Vice President of Marketing, Operations, and Finance, helping grow the company from a three‑person startup to an organization of 100 employees. There, he built a full commercial operation—including a 60‑person sales force—and led the launch and eventual sale of two prescription products totaling more than $200 million. As founder of Presutti Laboratories, he self‑funded and led the development, FDA approval, marketing, and sale of a prescription product while managing a team of 20. He went on to serve PharmaIN as consultant, CEO, and ultimately Chairman of the Board, guiding the company’s evolution from a developer of injectable biologic carrier technology to a full product development organization. Presutti holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

A former venture capitalist with a passion for scaling consumer brands, Patricia has been an operator and investor in beauty for over two decades. Her passion lies in helping brand founders and creators build iconic brands that combine product innovation and market white-space with genuine storytelling.Patricia has extensive experience working with, scaling, and financing celebrity / creator / influencer brands. As a female entrepreneur and founder, she is fanatical about championing other women in business.Patricia holds a BA from Harvard College magna cum laude and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She has been named one of the 100 Most Powerful Women by Entrepreneur Magazine and been featured in the New York Times, WWD and Glossy for her impact in beauty space.

My name is Lorena Quezada, and I am a supply chain professional with a strong background in purchasing, sourcing, and negotiation. Throughout my career, I've developed a deep understanding of how quality products are created, sourced, and brought to the market with intention and integrity. The idea for my own business was born during a trip to Mexico while shopping for gifts for friends and family in the United States. I noticed that the beautiful detailed, hand-crafted leather designs so common in Mexico were surprisingly rare in the U.S. Market. These pieces reflected an extraordinary level of talent, craftsmanship, and hard work - Qualities I felt deserved greater visibility and appreciation. I founded Artisanal Style to showcase the artistry, quality and dedication behind Mexican-made products and the artisans who create them. My goal is to connect their craftsmanship with customers who value authenticity, tradition, and timeless design. Building this business is also deeply personal. I believe in creating something of my own and using my professional background to create something meaningful and lasting. This brand represents my commitment to honoring artisans, delivering exceptional products, and building a business rooted in purpose, quality and passion.

Ayumi Chikamoto, the visionary CEO and founder of TokyoTreat & Sakuraco, is breaking barriers in a still largely patriarchal Japan. In 2015, Ayumi embarked on her journey, sharing beloved Japanese snacks globally through Sakuraco's sister brand, TokyoTreat. However, Ayumi's affinity for the cultural tradition of pairing tea with sweets fueled her desire to explore the deep roots of Japanese snack and afternoon tea culture leading her to create Sakuraco.Ayumi's mission goes beyond mere culinary delights; it bridges the gap between local makers and the global audience, supporting small businesses and fostering cultural exchange. Beyond her role as a business leader, Ayumi embraces the joys and challenges of motherhood, balancing her role as a working mother of two children. Her journey shows that, even in a society where men typically hold more power, Ayumi is proof that women can succeed as CEOs.

Bob has spent his career at the intersection of art, games, and technology, with roles at Grailed, NYT Games, and Anthropic. He’s always been passionate about creating tools that surprise, delight, and bring people together. With Stickerbox, he’s channeling that background into tech that gives kids real creative independence, simple, fun, and made for the real world.

Arun loves building products that connect people and spark creativity. He started with WakeMate (one of YC’s first hardware startups), then founded Grailed, which grew from a small idea into a global fashion marketplace later acquired by GOAT. Now at Hapiko, he’s focused on the next generation, creating technology that doesn’t distract kids, but empowers them to imagine, create, and share their worlds.

Leigh learned early on that sharing a table unites people: it’s a level playing field for everyone. She treats the kitchen as her playground, creating dishes that cultivate togetherness, joy and love. And her queso, more than any recipe, shares that love.Now, Queso Mama is bringing her beloved queso to everyone—so you can share the love with your friends and family.

Jo's background as a history teacher meant that if she was going to build a business, it would have to be one that worked to make the world a better place - as she always felt that teaching does. Seeing first hand how historical and current disinvestment in her west side Chicago neighborhood had legacy effects on the residents and the economy was the inspiration for a savory business model. Starting with the idea that businesses should build communities, not extract from them, Keep It Savory Salt Co works to ensure that our ingredients support small urban farmers and vendors on Chicago's West Side. Each year since inception, she's found a way to build her list of local growers and grocers to ensure she is keep dollars in her neighborhood as long as possible. Jo's also an avid DIY-er, gardener, cyclist, and lover of food and laughter. Although a very decent cook, Jo admits that her partner is the real home chef and grillmaster. Jo's favorite place is at a dinner party with good friends and a proper cocktail in hand.

Charles Joly is a James Beard Award Winner and lifelong food and beverage professional. The Chicago-native is a certified mixologist who focuses on a balance between the classics and his own seasonal cocktails. With a strong emphasis on knowing the roots of the craft along with a progressive vision for the future, the menus he’s created are a glimpse at mixology in the second golden age of the cocktail.

Andy Nguyen, Co-Founder of MTC Global and Co-Founder and CEO of Rest®, has combined his vast professional business experience as well as deep understanding of the North American consumer to help manufacturers create new online brands for the North American market and beyond.Born in Hong Kong, Nguyen moved to Vancouver, Canada at an early age. He received his Bachelors of Commerce from the University of British Columbia specializing in marketing, logistics and accounting. In 2014 Nguyen moved back to China to experience the incredible growth of the Chinese economy. He has held various positions at large companies including PwC, and co-founded his first company Halloween Craze early on in his career. For six years in Shanghai, he worked in the digital marketing industry helping international brands such as Costa Coffee, LEGO, and HK Disneyland expand their digital footprint in China. He also worked with Chinese brands like Ecovacs to enter international markets.Through Co-Founding MTC and various brands like Rest®, he aims to bring consumers and manufacturers close together to create more robust and consumer-centric products faster and more efficiently.Nguyen lives in Shanghai, China with his family and enjoys cooking, running, traveling and staying on top of the political economy and his favorite North American sports teams. He also appreciates a good DIY project and an entertaining comic.

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.

Nate is currently building Revv - the first marketplace for consumers to auction their cars directly to car dealerships.Prior to Revv, he spent 6 years leading & scaling sales teams at BuildingConnected. He was the first non-engineering hire and helped launch multiple product lines within the company, taking them from pre-revenue to multiple millions. He helped grow the team to over 250 people prior to the acquisition by Autodesk in 2019 for $275M.Prior to BuildingConnected, Nate started a company in social commerce for action sports. He also worked in data center acquisitions and development at Digital Realty.Nate lives in New York with his wife, Ellen, and son, Irving. Outside of work he is an avid tennis player, surfer, foodie, and traveler.

Artist Alexa Meade paints on the human body and three-dimensional spaces, creating the illusion that our reality is a two-dimensional painting. As The New York Times describes Alexa’s artwork, “Think of it as a Van Gogh — that is, if one of his paintings were brought to life as a performative protest." Alexa’s art has been exhibited around the world at the Grand Palais in Paris, the Saatchi Gallery in London, the United Nations in New York, Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, and the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. Her artwork has also been exhibited in space, orbiting the Earth on the history-making SpaceX Inspiration4 mission. She has created interactive installations at Coachella, Cannes Lions, and Art Basel. Alexa painted on the body of Ariana Grande for her iconic “God is a Woman” music video, which has over 350 million views. Her solo show on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills was attended by forty-thousand people throughout its 5-week run. Alexa’s art has been upvoted to the #1 position on the Front Page of Reddit. She has been commissioned by Apple, BMW, and Sony. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Alexa teamed up with LEGO as a Master Builder for their “Rebuild the World” campaign. Collaborating with spacetime researchers, Alexa was the first ever Artist-in-Residence at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. She has also been Artist-in-Residence at Google, where she worked alongside the engineers advancing Light Field imaging technology. Alexa and her work have been honored with the "Disruptive Innovation Award" from the Tribeca Film Festival. Respected for her thought leadership and non-traditional career path, Alexa has lectured at TED, Stanford, and Princeton. Alexa accepted an invitation to the White House under President Obama. Google Arts & Culture selected Alexa as the face of their “Faces of Frida” campaign, celebrating the legacy of Frida Kahlo and the female artists who are carrying it forward today. InStyle has named Alexa among their "Badass Women." alexameade.com / @alexameadeart

Jeff Call serves as Managing Partner of Bennett Thrasher. He specializes in wealth transfer/estate planning, investment, tax and financial planning for high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs, family business owners and executives. He has significant experience providing financial counsel on income tax, estate and gift tax, investment, insurance, charitable and retirement planning matters. Additionally, Jeff has experience in individual, partnership, S corporation and fiduciary taxation.Prior to joining Bennett Thrasher in 2002, Jeff worked for Arthur Andersen as a Manager in the Private Client Services practice. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and has also earned the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation. Additionally, Jeff has passed the Series 65 Uniform Registered Investment Adviser Examination.Jeff has been named to the prestigious Atlanta Magazine Five Star Wealth Manager list for metro Atlanta for eight years. He is a frequent speaker and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Business Chronicle, BankRate.com and Accounting Today, and he has written articles for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Business to Business Magazine, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Vistage View and Tax Advisor magazine.

Tasuku Murakami helms the kitchen at Umi, Atlanta’s destination for modern Japanese cuisine. The Michelin-starred chef oversees the menu that unites classic and modern Japanese flavors and has earned Umi accolades from media outlets including The New York Times, Time Out and USA Today. Murakami’s career spans more than 20 years and includes stints in Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe, Japan, as well as Turin, Italy. Murakami came to Umi from New York’s The Lobster Club, a Japanese-style brasserie where he served as executive sushi chef. While in New York, he also was executive sushi chef at the Michelin-starred Tribeca hot spot Sushi Azabu. In Japan, Murakami served as sushi chef at Sushi Kobe in Kobe and Ginza Sushi in Tokyo. In Osaka, he was executive sushi chef and managed nine restaurants for E-ownersfood Inc. and was proprietor for the sushi and Japanese restaurant Dateya, responsible for all areas of the restaurant. Murakami also served as executive chef for Ristorante Tobiko and was sushi chef for Ristorante Arcadia and Tsukiji Sushi Iwa in Turin.

Alexa Meade is a world-renowned artist who invented a style of painting in 3D space that makes the world appear to be a 2D work of art. She is the winner of the “Disruptive Innovation Award” from the Tribeca Film Festival.Alexa has painted immersive art installations in her breakthrough style at Coachella, 29Rooms, Art Basel, and Cannes Lions. She has done collaborations with Ariana Grande, Apple, BMW, and Adidas. A public intellectual, Alexa is a TED speaker, Google Artist-in-Residence, and lectures at Stanford and Princeton.Alexa’s trailblazing NFT art has been auctioned at Sotheby’s, graced billboards from Times Square to Tokyo, and orbited the Earth for three days on a SpaceX rocket. InStyle has named Alexa one of their “Badass Women.”

A 25-years-in serial entrepreneur, I’ve built, launched, and scaled nearly 70 brands in the last 5ish years as the Chief Builder at JC+CO growth accelerants. Most recently, I acquired the Canadian ethically sustainable kids’ DTC brand, mini mioche, and formalized its position as the best kids clothes on - and for - the planet. We have done this through building partnerships with 1% for the Planet and Climate Neutral Certified, launching our resale marketplace, and producing with true sustainability - not greenwashed sustainability - at the forefront of everything we do.With a methodical approach to hunting for market gaps, I’m delighted by everything from detailed data digging to precise pixel placement, and have a pretty crazy capacity for work. I am all about the pace, and dig the extraordinary magic of making something from nothing. I started my first business at nineteen and sold my second at twenty. I’ve run ventures in consumer products, entertainment, consulting, publishing and advertising, and have always been digitally driven. My award history is heavy with marketing fumes, but I’m most exhilarated by actually doing the work of scaling exceptional, innovative consumer product brands, with the heart of a bootstrappy entrepreneur.I’ve been a business and innovation contributor to numerous publications, and a keynote speaker and panelist at events throughout North America. I’m religious about the Oxford comma, always up for a dark comedy, and still wondering when fetch is going to happen.

Ayumi Chikamoto, the trailblazing CEO and founder of TokyoTreat, challenges conventional norms in patriarchal Japan. A graduate of Waseda University, Ayumi initially honed her skills at Recruit Co., Ltd, overseeing the planning of a domestic e-commerce business. Inspired by requests from friends abroad for popular Japanese snacks, she founded TokyoTreat in 2015, driven by the global allure of Japanese treats.From humble beginnings on her living room floor, Ayumi's dedication turned TokyoTreat into a sought-after monthly subscription service for Japanese snacks. As a female CEO in a male-dominated industry, she shares her experiences and culture, leading the way for TokyoTreat subscribers worldwide.Beyond her role as a business leader, Ayumi embraces the joys and challenges of motherhood, balancing her role as a working mother of two children. Her journey shows that, even in a society where men typically hold more power, Ayumi is proof that women can succeed as CEOs.

Hi, I'm Ryan and I'm now a serial entrepreneur. I started Big Bad Decaf with my wife, my former roommate, and our newly found expert roaster. We're on a mission to blow the house down on dull, flavorless decaf. We do this by sourcing the best organically grown beans, ensuring they're naturally decaffeinated, and roasting them to perfection.

Eytan Zias’ career began as a busboy, and he rose through the kitchen ranks in New York City, and then attending culinary school in Arizona. He worked at Craft Bar, Le Cote Basque and Fiamma Osteria in NYC, then moved to Phoenix to help open Fiamma Trattoria at the James Hotel, and stayed to work at Kai, the only 5 Star/5 Diamond property in Arizona. Eytan initially developed an interest in cutlery out of necessity in the kitchen, but quickly found knife-work to be his favorite part of the day, and sharpening to be his way to relax and compose his thoughts. After a ten year cooking career, he opened the Phoenix Knife House in 2007, creating the go-to place for the culinary community and home cooks alike to purchase and learn about knives. In 2014, he relocated to Portland, Oregon with his family and opened a second outpost of Knife House. His two shops contain one of the largest collections of kitchen knives of any independently owned store in the country. During all of this, Eytan was simultaneously pursuing a personal passion for knife making, studying and experimenting with steel properties, blade geometry and traditional forging techniques. He channeled his passion for knives into learning forging techniques and has pursued the art for the last 15 years. With 30 years of experience using, sharpening, selling and making knifes, Eytan is expert in the field. STEELPORT has been the culmination of all of his experience an understanding of the best features a chef would want in their ultimate kitchen tool.“After 25 years of sharpening, using, selling, and making knives, we’ve created the knife that I would want to use for myself.” Eytan Zias, Co-founder and Bladesmith 

Molly Blakeley is a life long serial entrepreneur. She grew up in a rural town in Alaska with just 4000 people. She created 13 business in just 15 years. Anything from a roller rink, to a flower shop, many restaurants, even a bar and lodge! Molly sold many of them for a great profit, and failed miserably at others, all in all she learned the ropes on how to create and sustain a successful business! "You never want to trust someone who says they have never failed at business, that's how you learn!"Molly Blakeley's most recent endeavor is a national cookie company named Molly Bz Inc. in 2018. Molly went from her last $150 after a bad business deal, to a national brand in under 3 years! Molly loved writing her first book How to be fearless in business, she takes all her street knowledge and throws them into her pages to help you hit to your mark. Molly's favorite pass time is inspiring others. She now has multiple companies and speaks at events around the nation.

SaVonne Anderson, a Newark native and Fordham University graduate, began her career at a contemporary Black art museum in NYC, becoming its first in-house designer since the 80s. In 2020, she transitioned to full-time entrepreneurship as the CEO of Aya Paper Co, a nationally recognized greeting card and gift company. Her unique approach, bridging sustainability, business, and design, has earned her features in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Refinery 29, and other prominent outlets.Under Anderson's leadership, Aya Paper Co has gained widespread acclaim, with products featured in hundreds of retailers nationwide, including Nordstrom, Macy's, Whole Foods, and Kohls. The brand has been highlighted in Allure, Time, CNN, Parade, Architectural Digest, and many more. Anderson's commitment to celebrating Black joy is evident in Aya Paper Co's artistic imagery and authentic messages, addressing the underrepresentation of people of color in the greeting card industry. In addition to her entrepreneurial success, Anderson actively contributes to the education and empowerment of emerging creatives and entrepreneurs, further solidifying her impact on the landscape of Black entrepreneurship.

After 15 years as a top product development consultant, I launched nu:titty (get the pun, nudity, and new titties?) to create post-surgery bras that women want to wear, helping them feel feel comfortable and confident in their new bodies.Before starting nu:titty I worked with brands including Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, and Tory Burch, and giants like Macy’s,Walmart and Target. But, after undergoing my own prophylactic mastectomy last summer, I realized firsthand just how limited options for this community are. For too long, the message to patients has been to be happy their cancer is cured and stop worrying about what they look like. But I believe women deserve more than this.I mean, no one really NEEDS a cute bra after surgery. But, that doesn't mean it won't make you feel good.nu:titty is more than just bras - it's a movement to help women feel complete after their breast cancer journey.

Hi, I'm John Sammon, CEO and founder of Sixth City Marketing. Alongside my experience as an entrepreneur, I have nearly 20 years of experience in SEO, PPC, and website design and development.

Hi! I am Sarah, I've been in digital marketing since 2016, were I've mainly focused on crafting local, technical, and on and off-site SEO strategies. I also have years of experience with photography and astrology as my side passions!

Allean "Ally" DavisAllean "Ally" Davis is a visionary entrepreneur and founder of Giselle Stella, a Black-owned, woman-owned jewelry brand that specializes in hypoallergenic, water-resistant, and tarnish-free designs. With over 20 years of experience in the jewelry industry, Ally worked her way up the corporate ladder, excelling in wholesale, retail, and e-commerce, and ultimately serving as a Director of Merchandise.In 2023, Ally turned her passion for high-quality, affordable jewelry into a thriving business, disrupting the traditional markups of the jewelry market. Giselle Stella is known for creating timeless pieces that combine luxury and functionality, perfect for customers seeking bold statement pieces or everyday essentials.A proud mom-preneur, Ally is dedicated to building a brand that empowers customers to express their individuality and elevate their style. Her mission is to foster a community of confident, fashion-forward individuals while prioritizing affordability and quality. When she’s not designing or leading her team, Ally is often found engaging with customers, sharing styling tips, and inspiring others to embrace their unique shine.Under Ally’s leadership, Giselle Stella has grown into a trusted name for modern, accessible jewelry that seamlessly blends beauty and practicality.

Bill Shufelt is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Athletic Brewing Company, the largest and most decorated non-alcoholic brewery in America. As an outdoor enthusiast, trail runner, and busy modern adult, Bill realized that alcohol was holding him back from achieving all of his goals, so he left it behind for good in 2013. However, he still loved socializing with friends and family and pairing great brews with delicious meals. When Bill stopped drinking, he was surprised to discover that nobody had taken the time to develop a line of full-flavored, non-alcoholic beers for the 60% of Americans who drink less than one time per week. So, Bill set out to change that by creating a company focused on crafting delicious adult non-alcoholic beverages that didn't compromise on taste or quality. In 2017, Bill left a successful career at one of the world's largest hedge funds to begin building the first U.S. brewery and taproom dedicated entirely to non-alcoholic beer, despite skepticism from industry insiders. Today, Athletic Brewing is the #1 non-alcoholic beer brand in America, with over 19% market share.

Tessa took a break from local journalism to pour a few candles over the winter. More than a half-decade later, she has helped grow Bluecorn from a small D2C beeswax candle company into a much larger candle and home brand with a vibrant cafe and mercantile attached to its workshop in Montrose, Colorado.

Nancy Kalish is the Founder and CEO of Rule Breaker Snacks, a better-for-you snack brand known for its soft-baked, plant-based, top allergen-free treats made from chickpeas. A former health journalist and certified health coach, Nancy spent years writing about nutrition and wellness — and understood exactly what it meant to “eat healthy.” The challenge? She also had a serious sweet tooth and couldn’t find indulgent treats that truly satisfied without being loaded with sugar, preservatives, and artificial ingredients.Determined to create snacks that delivered both great taste and better nutrition, Nancy began experimenting in her own kitchen. The result was Rule Breaker Snacks: delicious, crave-worthy cookies and brownies that are gluten-free, vegan, nut-free, and made with simple, recognizable ingredients. Today, Rule Breaker Snacks are sold nationally and enjoyed by families, schools, and anyone looking for a treat that breaks the rules — without breaking their health goals.Nancy is passionate about redefining what indulgence can look like and helping people enjoy dessert without compromise.

Robert "Bob" Quinn is a Ph.D., a progressive farmer, and a leader from North Central Montana who introduced the ancient grain KAMUT® Brand to the market over 30 years ago. What started with 36 kernels and a legend of discovery in an Egyptian tomb has grown to be a family enterprise and project spanning three generations that today is a well-known global brand in the world of organic farming and food. Kamut International promotes organic agriculture and supports organic farmers to increase the diversity of crops and diets and to protect the heritage of this high-quality, delicious ancient grain from benefiting this and future generations. Under Bob Quinn's leadership, Kamut International has been at the forefront of regenerative organic agriculture since its origins and has been committed to promoting the philosophy of "food as medicine" as a means of promoting health and prevention of diet-related chronic diseases. His farm has served as a working laboratory to test, document, and share his findings with farmers and thought leaders worldwide as he led the First International Conference of Landraces in the summer of 2018. He believes sustainable agriculture delivering a nutritious food system can drastically reduce the incidence of four of the top seven causes of death in the United States, lift thousands of Americans out of poverty, and fight climate change. Bob recently launched the Quinn Institute to build health and prosperity through regenerative organic agriculture. 

Amy Chou Granger is Co-Founder and President of M2U NYC. Prior to launching M2U NYC in 2020, Amy had held Director roles with increasing responsibilities at both L’Oréal USA and later The Estée Lauder Companies. With 15+ years of extensive experience in Marketing, Operations, and Strategic Planning for several CPG and beauty conglomerates, Amy has influenced the strategic direction for powerhouse brands including Kiehl’s, Giorgio Armani Beauty, and Michael Kors Beauty.Amy was born and raised in Taiwan. She came to the U.S. to pursue her graduate degree (Amy holds a Master of Engineering degree from MIT). Growing up in Asia, she was not exposed to makeup since most people in Taiwan didn’t wear makeup until they started working full-time. Her first makeup experience was in her mid 20’s when her friend took her to Macy’s and got her a beauty makeover. She recalls that she could hardly recognize herself in the mirror because it was not her style and she didn’t feel comfortable looking like someone else. Makeup trends are different in all cultures. With the launch of M2U, she wants to empower everyone to formulate their own beauty standards. She wants to give people tools to experiment, have fun and create new routines without feeling guilty about overspending."I launched M2Ü NYC after spending over a decade working at L’Oreal USA and The Estée Lauder Companies. Growing up in Taiwan and coming to the U.S. in my 20s, I realized the makeup trends are different in all cultures, but one thing remains the same, that is, people want to feel comfortable with whatever they choose to put on their skin. My goal as an Asian American founder is to create a price inclusive, ingredient driven makeup brand. I feel strongly that every person should be able to enjoy the benefits of high-quality makeup without stressing over the prices.”– Amy Chou Granger, Co-Founder of M2Ü NYC.

Gabe Nazario is a creative strategist and filmmaker based in New York City, where his work lives at the intersection of storytelling, movement, and visual clarity. As Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Stacked Fitness Hydration, Gabe guides the brand’s voice, identity, and narrative, ensuring Stacked doesn’t just market to people who train, but truly reflects the lifestyle and discipline of those who show up for themselves every day.Alongside Stacked, Gabe is the Founder of Offbeat Creative, a creative content production company known for thoughtful, narrative-first commercial and branded content. Offbeat’s work spans corporate impact stories to cinematic campaign films, crafted with a focus on emotional resonance, human connection, and strong creative strategy. Whether working with global financial organizations, growth-stage consumer brands, or community-focused initiatives, Gabe leads with a grounded sense of intention and visual discipline.At the core of his creative approach is identity. His Puerto Rican heritage is woven into the way he lives, shaping how he collaborates, builds community, and tells stories with clarity and purpose. That same lived authenticity is what grounds Stacked: real people, real training, and performance support that fits into real life, not the polished version of it.For Gabe, Stacked is a lifestyle: discipline in motion, hydration as foundation, and creativity leading every step forward.