Arielle Brown, LMSW, is Founder of Bea's Bayou Skincare and native of Lafayette, LA. After moving to New Orleans in 2010 for her graduate studies at Southern University New Orleans, she started her 7-year journey as a trauma-focused social worker. Though counseling children was deeply rewarding, Arielle decided to explore entrepreneurship. Bea's Bayou Skincare was founded in 2020 and is named after Arielle’s maternal grandmother, Beatrice. During the pandemic, she created scalp drops to help soothe her inflamed scalp and to her surprise, Bea’s Bayou Skincare started gaining traction with new, curious customers dealing with similar eczema-related concerns. In 2022, Bea’s Bayou Skincare won the Essence and Aveeno Skin Health Pitch Award, and recently was recognized in 2023 as a finalist for Black Ambition Fund and BEYGood Foundation. You can now find Bea’s Bayou at beasbayouskincare.com, Salon Centric online, and on-shelf at Dream House Lounge in New Orleans, LA, and AMP Beauty in Los Angeles, CA. Arielle has participated in various accelerator programs, most recently by VillageX (New Orleans), JLH Fund, Black Chamber of Commerce Contracting Cohort, Black Girl Ventures, Stitchcrew, McKinsey 1B Founders, Founder Gym, and Amazon Black Business Accelerator! She is a member of New Voices Foundation, 15 Percent Pledge, WE Global Studios, VestHER, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc..

Caroline Kopp is the principal and founder of Westport, Connecticut-based Caroline Kopp Interior Design. A desire to find beauty in the world has guided the designer’s life from a young age, leading her to major in Art History at UC Berkeley and then on to New York to study interior design at Parsons School of Design. Later in her career Kopp continued her education with a sabbatical at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London, where she studied decorative arts.This education in both art and interior design has given Kopp a sophisticated eye which she continued to refine while working for some of the most renowned firms in the country. Kopp has been in the design industry for over twenty years and learned the trade from the best in the business, with jobs with Thomas O’Brien, Victoria Hagan, and Foley & Cox, prior to starting her own company in 2012. Kopp upholds the highest standards of quality and style for custom homes and has produced spaces that have been recognized by numerous notable publications.Kopp’s design philosophy calls for a fresh approach to each project, drawing on the best examples of classic and modern styles, mixing texture, color, and compelling silhouettes. Her versatile and highly trained eye allows her to skillfully guide her clients to elevate their own taste. As a result of Kopp’s refined sense of style, distinguished experience and caring approach, Caroline Kopp Interior Design has earned a reputation for creating well-edited spaces that are beautiful, functional, and expressive of the owner’s personality and style.

Hello! My name is Ally Genzel and I have lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin my entire life. I will graduate from Central Michigan University in Fashion Merchandising and Design in August 2024. I currently bartend and have applied to many fashion merchandising jobs in the Milwaukee area. I am also currently interning for Libertad Co. as a fashion content creator. I love the creative side of fashion and the different CAD software to create designs and content. I use fashion to express myself and you can see that through my work. In the future, I aspire to be a fashion merchandiser or content creator for a world-renowned designer.  

Bani is a co-founder & CEO of OffCourt and comes from over 10 years of experience in consumer goods and beauty. Previously, she was at Glossier and Calvin Klein and many other CPG brands as a Management Consultant.

As a Registered and Licensed Dietitian and Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist with over a decade of experience in the health and wellness industry, I have developed a deep commitment to improving people's lives. My early work as a kinesiologist and certified sports nutritionist gave me valuable experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, helping me develop a keen understanding of my clients' unique needs and challenges. Driven by my desire to expand my knowledge and expertise, I pursued a dietetics degree from the University of Alabama, where I excelled academically and graduated Summa Cum Laude. During my studies, I served as the treasurer for the Distance Student Dietetic Association, where I developed strong leadership skills that have proven invaluable in my career. Today, I work as a clinical dietitian, managing over a hundred inpatient beds while running a successful private practice. Through my dedication and hard work, I have earned recognition from major online publications such as Forbes Health, Generation Iron, and T-Nation, where I have been featured for my contributions to the field. I remain committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in my field, attending conferences, workshops, and other professional development opportunities to ensure that I continue providing my patients and clients with the highest level of care. Whether working one-on-one with clients or managing a team of healthcare professionals, I am passionate about positively impacting the health and well-being of others.

Suzanna is a Board Certified and Licensed Registered Dietitian. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree at Purdue University and completed her clinical internship and Masters of Business Administration at Dominican University. Suzanna has been an RD since 2019 and is an expert in pediatric and prenatal nutrition. However, she is the most passionate about helping anyone reach their goal. A session with Suzanna will make you feel understood and know the WHY behind the science-backed action items that she provides to move you toward your goal. Suzanna is characteristically empathetic and will meet you at whatever level of motivation you are. In her spare time, Suzanna is trying out new restaurants in Orange County, California with her husband and finds peace when taking their boxer puppy for walks on the beach. Suzanna became an RD because she is obsessed with helping people become the best version of themselves.

Nicholas is a Registered Dietitian specializing in gastrointestinal disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis), Celiac disease, GERD and functional GI disorders. Alongside these specialties, Nicholas has a keen interest in LGBTQ+ Health, men’s health, and sports nutrition.Clients working with Nicholas can anticipate personalized nutrition counseling grounded in evidence-based practices. His approach fosters empowerment, enabling individuals to make informed choices that enhance their health and cultivate positive relationships with food.Nicholas graduated with a B.S. in Nutrition and Food Science with a concentration in Dietetics, and completed his dietetic training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center with a focus on disease management and health promotion. Nicholas has also completed Monash University's training in the FODMAP diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and is trained in gluten related disorders. Nicholas initiated his career at Columbia University Medical Center as a clinical dietitian, later transitioning to private practice in 2020.Beyond his professional pursuits, Nicholas is a triathlete who enjoys recharging at the beach and immersing himself in a good book. If you're seeking a knowledgeable and compassionate dietitian to guide you toward your health goals, Nicholas is your trusted resource.

Liz Dobbins is the founder of Propelogy, where movement sparks body-mind harmony. As a life coach, Liz's mission is clear: to help people connect their body and mind through somatic healing. Propelogy offers a transformative path to wellness, emphasizing the importance of human body intelligence. Liz has over 35 years of experience, and is an ICF Certified Sensory Somatic Coach & Mentor, Master of Human Body Intelligence, Licensed Sensory Intelligence® Practitioner, Keynote Speaker, and High Performance Executive Leadership Coach & Consultant.

Christiane Lemieux is a designer, entrepreneur, investor, artist and author. Christiane introduced her European lifestyle brand LEMIEUX et CIE into the United States in late summer 2020, coinciding with the publication of her first business book “Frictionless: Why the Future of Everything Will Be Fast, Fluid, and Made Just for You" (Harper Collins Business), a 2020 Porchlight Business Book Awards Longlist title. Prior to starting her newest ventures, Christiane was the Founder/CEO of THE INSIDE, (acquired by Havenly in 2022), her direct-to-consumer (D2C) home furnishings brand. She was the Co-Founder of Cloth & Company and the Founder of DwellStudio, which was purchase by Wayfair, the world’s largest online home furnishings retailer, in 2013. Christiane served as the Executive Creative Director of Wayfair until 2016. Lemieux is an active investor in the Consumer and Tech Sectors. Christiane is a frequent contributor to Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, Editor At Large, Wired and other Media outlets. Lemieux authored her first book, “Undecorated” (Random House/Clarkson Potter) to critical acclaim in 2011; her second best-selling book (still #1 in Interior Decoration & Ornament on Amazon) “The Finer Things” also was published by Random House/Clarkson Potter in 2016. Christiane entered the television space as co-host and judge on “Ellen’s Design Challenge” - a furniture design competition show on HGTV. Lemieux was highlighted as one of Fortune’s 2012 "Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs”, Received House Beautiful’s Visionary award in 2020, Fast Company’s Most Innovative in 2020 and the House and Home 100 in 2024.  Christiane is a graduate of Parsons School of Design and Queen’s University in Canada. Christiane sits on the board of “Every Mother Counts,” the non-governmental organization (NGO) started by Christy Turlington Burns to fight maternal mortality and support women, babies and health care providers. Looking ahead, Christiane's third book and fourth books, “Provenance” and “The Everything Home,” are slated for publication in 2025.  

Nam, a Chinese-American technology specialist who has worked in 15+ industries over the last 25+ years. He started building three companies that became billion dollar unicorns in different industries. One that is closest to his heart is healthcare. He was looking to find his next opportunity in healthcare, while bridging the gap between his heritage and doing something that his three girls would be proud of. When Camilla pitched him Qi Health he knew this was it.

Aaliyah Kissick is an American entrepreneur, personal finance expert, and financial literacy advocate.

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.

Rita started in the intimate apparel industry at Playtex in 1977 and worked there while going to college for a BSc in Computer Science. At Playtex, Rita learned all aspects of intimate apparel including cutting, molding, pattern making, sewing specs, as well as the grading and fitting processes. Rita moved on to Bali in 1988 where her technical knowledge grew. Rita joined the Glamorise family in 1997 as a Pattern Grader and advanced to Director of Technical Design soon thereafter.Now as VP of Product Development, Rita is involved from the initial concept to the final product, making sure every garment lives up to our high standards and the expectations of our customers. Each advancement in Rita’s career has inspired her to take on more responsibilities and she is always looking for new challenges. Even after over 40 years in the industry, Rita is still learning and enjoys being able to achieve that perfect fit!

Co-founder Anni Stromfeld started SIJO alongside childhood friend Jacob Xi after reconnecting and bonding over their common interest in entrepreneurship and a desire to build an ethical and sustainable business in the health/wellness area. Her vision was to transform the way consumers think and feel about the home. After working in high-stress, results-driven work environments and juggling her career and personal life, she sought to find balance in the chaos of life. The root of that: better, healthier sleep. This journey to find balance helped her (and Jacob) precisely identify the demands of the SIJO customers, using innovative fibers and materials to create the best possible products.Anni, Jacob and their team focus on creating sustainable, performance driven products that not only boast healthy benefits and unparalleled quality, but that have a simple, modern aesthetic that suits any home.

Co-founder Jacob Xi started SIJO alongside childhood friend Anni Stromfeld after reconnecting and bonding over their common interest in entrepreneurship and a desire to build an ethical and sustainable business in the health/wellness area. His vision was to transform the way consumers think and feel about the home. With a great deal of experience in marketing and the tech industry, known for having a quick pace and high stress, Jacob sought out to use his skills to build a brand alongside co-founder Anni. After working through concepts, the home space, and in particular, better, healthier sleep, felt like a natural direction. His passion allowed him (and Anni) to precisely identify the demands of the SIJO customers, using innovative fibers and materials to create the best possible products.Jacob, Anni and their team focus on creating sustainable, performance driven products that not only boast healthy benefits and unparalleled quality, but that have a simple, modern aesthetic that suits any home.

Gina DeSantis is the lead creator behind her brand Gina DeSantis Ceramics. Gina has worked with clay since 1999 but founded her business in 2013. She began her ceramic studies at her local community college and by 2006 earned her MFA from Kent State University. You may have seen her work in Uncommon Goods, Anthropologie, McGee & Co, Shoppe Amber Interiors and the Sundance catalog as well as over 400 retailers around the country. Ms. DeSantis can share her insight on fine craft, home decor, running a small business as a female entrepreneur and life as a working artist. Prior interviews for reference:https://medium.com/authority-magazine/gina-desantis-on-five-things-you-need-to-be-a-highly-effective-leader-during-uncertain-turbulent-ae3fa5b79bachttps://canvasrebel.com/meet-gina-desantis/

Based in North Vancouver, Patrice Mousseau is a conscious entrepreneur and the owner/creator of Satya Organic Skin Care. Patrice is also a proud single mom and Anishinaabe member of Fort William First Nation.Patrice’s determination to change the world through business began by accident. For years, she was a news anchor for leading television & radio stations in Canada, but that all changed when her baby girl Esme began suffering from eczema at only 8-months old.Today, Satya has helped thousands of skin warriors around the world access clean, effective skin relief.

Born in India and transplanted to Australia at 11 years old, Suzanne Dawson learned the struggles and rewards of starting over at an early age. That formative experience gave Suzanne the fearless confidence needed to become a successful beauty business entrepreneur and innovator.Suzanne was an early advocate of natural remedies, wellness and self-care. She developed her belief in the power of plant-based therapies into one of Australia’s first natural beauty brands, Enliven, which harnessed the transformative power of essential oils.Her career path eventually led her to Aveda, which she launched in the Australian marketplace. Aveda’s natural, socially and environmentally responsible culture was a natural fit for Suzanne and she soon relocated to the U.S. and assumed a key leadership role in the organization, Vice President of Global Marketing and Innovation. Over the course of eleven years, she launched some of the most innovative natural products, advanced the mission of the company and helped grow Aveda into a very successful global business. Aveda also introduced her to Emmanuel Rey, her husband and YUNI’s co-founder.Suzanne reconnected with Yoga that had been part of her early childhood, as a way to create more balance in her life. Her powerful example quickly converted her husband to the practice and culminated in their Ashtanga Yoga teacher certification in 2012. After moving to California, Suzanne has continued to work in key leadership positions as CMO of Murad, CEO of OleHenriksen, Chief Community Officer of YogaWorks, growing these iconic global brands and cultivating her deep passion for beauty and wellness. Today, Suzanne continues to work in the beauty industry, while Emmanuel leads YUNI Beauty with his passionate team in Hermosa Beach, CA.

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.

With a background in advertising and a passion for skincare and all things beauty, Rachel founded Intoxicated Cosmetics with the idea that injectables don't have to be the only anti-aging skincare solution on the market. Using unique and top of the line ingredients, Intoxicated Cosmetics was able to create completely custom formulas along with their US-based FDA regulated biochemical company. Rachel is also a licensed Esthetician in the state of Massachusetts.

Katie is passionate about consumer products and bringing innovative, impactful options to as many people as possible. Having spent time in the consumer products world at places like Johnson & Johnson, she saw the immense impact of plastic in personal care, and became empowered by the idea that she could help reinvigorate everyday routines with products that were equally effective, elevated, and eco-friendly. She embarked on a mission to create modern, sustainable solutions with a positive impact on both people and the planet, and hasn't stopped since. Katie holds a Bachelor's degree from Columbia University and an MBA from Harvard Business School, currently resides in New York City, and is a proud mom to her golden retriever, Riley.

Lynn Power spent much of her 30 year career running and transforming agency brands. Lynn has expertise in transforming organizations from top to bottom – including capabilities, organizational structure, talent and culture. She recently left the big agency world to launch two brands: MASAMI, a premium clean haircare brand which launched in February 2020 and Isle de Nature, bee-powered home fragrance which launched in September 2020.Prior to her entrepreneurial move, Lynn was CEO of J. Walter Thompson NY, responsible for the flagship office of WPP’s $1.5B iconic agency (the oldest advertising agency in the world). Throughout her career, Lynn has had the great fortune of working on some of the world’s most well-known brands including: LISTERINE, American Express, Clinique, Hershey’s, Pizza Hut and Wild Turkey. Lynn believes that business success relies on building a team that respects and nurtures ideas as well as the people who create them. She believes in moving at the speed of culture, eliminating barriers and helping women find their voices.

Our journey began in 2019 when Julie Napolitano founded Pup Wax®,  the first & only 100% clean premium skincare for dogs. February 2022, Pup Wax® rebranded as Puppington®, and our assortment evolved into a comprehensive collection of products designed to promote dog mental health and well-being. Julie has cross-cultural leadership experience at Fortune 500 companies and a track record of building successful partnerships with international teams to deliver innovation and scalable, consistent results. Prior to founding Pup Wax / Puppington, Julie led multiple international cross-functional teams in a variety of global strategic projects as head of global legal operations for Bunge, where she also served as Chief of Staff to the Chief Legal Officer. Julie has extensive experience in new business development and establishing new business units, commodity derivatives, managing risk, and treasury management. Over more than 10 years, Julie contributed to various areas of Bunge, having also served as Assistant Treasurer, head of Global Financial Services Group Business Development, Commodity Derivatives Trader, and Cross Asset Solutions Strategist. Prior to joining Bunge, Julie focused on financial market analysis and risk management at Lehman Brothers and HypoVereinsbank.Julie served on the board of GallopNYC, an organization that provides hippotherapy and therapeutic riding services to children with disabilities from low-income families.Julie has an MBA from the Johnson School at Cornell University and a BS in Computer Science from Columbia University, School of Engineering and Applied Science.A dog mom to two adopted rescue hounds, Julie lives in Chappaqua, NY. Each foster that joins the family has a permanent place in her heart.

Before Joy Organics, Barry was an entrepreneurial senior executive and consultant with broad experience managing various business functions with a focus on international business development, sales, marketing, leadership, and organizational development for both new ventures and established companies. Barry constructed detailed business plans, assembled top teams, and built the necessary alliances to launch and grow several successful businesses and divisions over the past 25+ years in the U.S., Canada, Europe, East Asia, South America, and India. Barry is committed to building conscious leadership and businesses incorporating the principles of Conscious Capitalism. He has built values-driven teams committed to higher purpose and the triple bottom line: people, profit, and planet. His commitment to all stakeholders is supported by his complexity of thought to create Win6​ ​solutions where all key stakeholders win. Shortly after Joy Organics’ founding, Barry joined to oversee operations for the newly-founded but rapidly-growing brand. In 2020, he became CEO and has helped cultivate a company culture that empowers and equips employees to grow and thrive both personally and professionally.

Debbi Barber is a highly successful entrepreneur and co-founder of the innovative Vitali Regenerative Skin Care company. After 37 years as the head of a direct-marketing firm serving global nonprofit brands, Debbi embraced the opportunity to come out of retirement and create a product that she believed would benefit countless individuals. Her inspiration to develop this product stemmed from her experiences with peptides and their remarkable effects on her health and skin. Dr. Suzanne Turner, one of the leading authorities in the field of peptide research, was Debbi's mentor and teacher - introducing her to GHK-Cu as an effective way to treat crepey skin. With her husband's admiration for GHK-Cu's incredible healing powers, Debbi set out to create a more cost-effective, high-quality product of this blue peptide that could be accessible to all.  Through extensive research and study, Debbi has become known as an expert in peptides and the optimization of health and skin. She now serves as a resource in her weekly blog posts, which are greatly appreciated by skincare enthusiasts and professionals worldwide. It is thanks to Dr. Suzanne Turner that Debbi has been able to make her dream happen, and she continues her journey toward helping others achieve healthy, radiant skin with Vitali Regenerative Skin Care! 

Karen is part of the third generation of Toufayans to run the day to day operations of the Ridgefield, New Jersey, based business. Karen’s grandparents opened their first bakery in 1926, and today Toufayan is one of the largest privately held bakeries in the country.After starting in the fashion industry after college, long commute trips with her father each day piqued her interest in the family business, and she returned to give it a 1-year trial. More than 20 years later, Karen is still in that office in New Jersey, now leading a team to support more than 100 packaged baked goods.

Lisa Pollack is Corto’s Education Ambassador. She leads opportunities to taste and experience fresh olive oil with both professional and home chefs. Lisa has visited olive oil producers all over the world, from New Zealand to Japan, and she found her way to the California industry in 2013. Her background comes from the California Olive Oil Council where she oversaw the organization’s commitment to quality and standards with the sensory taste panel, while also working as an advocate for California producers among discerning chefs, retailers and consumers. When she decided to step away from the COOC, she was elated to join Corto in furthering their education initiatives and sharing the exciting innovations that position them as a leader worldwide. In addition to her experience overseeing the COOC taste panel, Lisa is certified by the National Association of Olive Oil Tasters (ONAOO) based in Imperia, Italy.

Adam is the Co-founder and COO of Mermaid Straw. He's from a small town about an hour south of Sydney, Australia. He has a huge family back home with 4 brothers and 3 sisters. Adam spent his childhood constanlty connected with nature ; surfing, riding BMX, going for bush walks, playing soccer, anything he was able to do outdoors you could find him there. Being outdoors so much led him to grow not only a respect for nature, but a deep love for it. Adam is an ocean lover, an animal lover, a drummer, a traveler, and a guy who's madly in love with his American girl and 5 furchildren. Adam is also up for any challenge! During the height of the pandemic, he spent his time building out a Mermaid Straw van into a liveable space, with a goal to take it across the nation and host a cleanup in every state! Will he see you at the cleanup nearest you?

I started my professional journey as a medical student, spent 20 years in e-commerce and marketing, and now proudly serve as CEO of Nolah Technologies. While unconventional, I believe my career path has uniquely positioned me to push the boundaries of the mattress industry as Nolah’s CEO and co-owner. The brand’s name, Nolah Technologies, resonates with my personal mission to improve the way people sleep based on the latest medical research using the latest technology. Leading Nolah’s operations and product development, I’m as involved in marketing and branding as I am in product development. Every day, I have the opportunity to put my medical background, marketing acumen, and technical expertise to work, pursuing solutions to the sleep problems that keep people up at night. Between medical school and partnering with Nolah’s co-founders, I sunk my teeth into the technical side of business. With 12 years of experience as an e-commerce and marketing director, I went on to help over a dozen brands launch or expand their online platforms as an advisor. Along the way, I held on to the fascination with biology and chemistry that had originally inspired me to attend medical school. I researched and developed now-patented gene-based health software and a natural beehive pesticide. I’ve also helped formulate products like sleep supplements and multivitamins.At Nolah, I now tap into these passions and my own medical history while developing new products and improving our existing mattress designs. I believe modern mattress technology must be informed by present-day sleep habits and human anatomy every step of the way. I also believe that one’s work environment is as critical to physical health and mental wellness as a good nights’ rest. As Nolah’s CEO, I have the opportunity to foster a workplace that puts the team’s health and happiness first. With a primarily remote team and many parents among our ranks, my partners and I strive to run the company with family-friendly policies and flexibility.