Olivia Ferdi is the Founder and Co-CEO of TRIP, a leading global beverage and lifestyle brand at the forefront of the functional wellness movement. Launched in 2019 alongside her husband Daniel Khoury, TRIP was created with a mission to “create calm in the everyday chaos,” offering award-winning functional beverages designed to support daily mental wellbeing. Olivia is a passionate brand-builder and innovator, tapping into the brand’s viral community on social media to scale its beverages globally. Under Olivia’s leadership, TRIP has grown into one of the most recognizable brands in modern wellness - helping define and lead the emerging “calm” category. Today, the company employs more than 100 people and its portfolio of magnesium and adaptogen-infused products is stocked in over 50,000 retail locations globally, including Whole Foods, Target, Sprouts, Walmart, Soho House and major grocery and convenience chains across the U.S., U.K., and Europe. Founders Olivia and Daniel met as students at Cambridge University. Law school followed where Olivia built her career as an attorney in London, then leaving the legal world to launch TRIP, with her husband. Olivia and Daniel have two young children, and split their time between the UK and the US.

Daniel Khoury is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of TRIP, a leading global beverage and lifestyle brand at the forefront of the functional wellness movement. Launched in 2019 alongside his wife Olivia Ferdi, TRIP was created with a mission to deliver “calm in a can,” offering award-winning functional beverages designed to support daily mental wellbeing. Under Daniel’s leadership, TRIP has grown into one of the most recognizable brands in modern wellness, helping define and lead the emerging calm category. Today, the company employs more than 100 people and its portfolio of magnesium and adaptogen-infused products is stocked in over 50,000 retail locations globally, including Whole Foods, Target, Sprouts, Walmart, Soho House and major grocery and convenience chains across the U.S., U.K., and Europe. With a background in finance, Daniel brings strategic and operational discipline to TRIP’s rapid expansion, overseeing capital strategy, global partnerships, and scale. He is focused on building an enduring, globally scaled brand shaping the future of beverage.

Richard Laver is a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the CEO and Founder of Lucky Energy, a simpler, better-for-you energy platform designed to help people move forward with intention. Spanning beverages and gummies, Lucky Energy reflects Laver's belief that performance and optimism can coexist — and that energy should support real life, not complicate it. Resilience has shaped every chapter of Laver's life. At 12 years old, he was the youngest survivor of Delta Flight 191, a tragic plane crash that claimed 136 lives, including his father's. In the years that followed, he struggled with PTSD, anxiety, alcoholism, and periods of homelessness. Those experiences fundamentally altered his perspective, instilling in him the belief that adversity can either define you or refine you. That belief became deeply personal when his daughter, Kate, was born prematurely with cerebral palsy and later diagnosed with Failure to Thrive, weighing just 16 pounds at four years old. Unwilling to accept limited options, Laver set out to create a better nutritional solution for her. What began as a father's determination to save his daughter's life became Kate Farms, founded in 2012 and now the #1 recommended plant-based tube-feeding formula in hospitals, helping thousands of families nationwide. The company's growth ultimately led to its acquisition by Danone, validating both its clinical impact and long-term vision. Through Lucky Energy, Laver continues to share the message that has defined his journey: luck isn't something you wait for — it's something you can create. The brand serves as both a product platform and a reflection of his philosophy that forward motion, gratitude, and reinvention are always available. Today, Richard resides with his wife, Michelle, and their five children between Austin, TX, and Park City, UT. His work across business and philanthropy remains rooted in resilience, purpose, and the belief that even life's hardest moments can become the foundation for meaningful impact.

In her role as Senior Category Merchant for the newly established Adult Beverage Non-Alcoholic category at Whole Foods Market, Samantha Fletcher is helping to shape what this new category means for both the company and the broader alcohol and beverage industry. The Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage category is gaining attention within the industry and retail world as one of the fastest growing divisions with the potential to reshape the larger category as a whole. Drawing on her previous experience in category management, she brings a strong industry perspective and is focused on building a futurefacing program rooted in innovation, strategy, and cross-functional collaboration. Samantha also brings a unique blend of on-premise experience to a team with deep off-premise retail expertise—broadening the lens through which the category is developed and executed. Prior to joining Whole Foods Market in June 2024, Samantha held roles at H-E-B Grocery, The Culinary Institute of America and Walt Disney World, gaining experience across restaurant and retail operations as well as ever changing and growing culinary environments. Her background has given her insight into how to thoughtfully connect consumers with high-quality products and has equipped her to lead in a space where trends evolve rapidly and shopper expectations continue to grow. Outside of work, her passion for food and beverage continues. She enjoys supporting local businesses— especially those started by industry friends and former students that she’s seen grow from the ground up—and staying connected to what’s current and emerging across the industry.

Laura Taylor is the founder of Mingle Mocktails, the leading non-alcoholic beverage brand in the U.S. Recently named to Forbes’ 50 Over 50: Entrepreneurs, Laura launched Mingle in 2017 after growing frustrated with the lack of elevated, inclusive options in the non-alcoholic space. After two decades working across sales, marketing, strategy, and operations, she set out to create a booze-free brand that didn’t compromise on taste or social experience. Today, Mingle Mocktails’ ready-to-drink sparkling mocktails and functional beverages are sold nationwide at Amazon, Target, Walmart, Total Wine, and Whole Foods.

Chuck is a partner in Morrison Foerster’s Emerging Companies & Venture Capital team and its Food + Agriculture Industry group. He advises venture and growth-stage companies on raising capital, navigating investor and board relationships, negotiating key agreements, and executing successful exits. He also counsels investment funds targeting consumer products, agtech, and food tech. Known for his practical, business-savvy approach, Chuck has led over 200 financing and M&A deals, with deep expertise in consumer products including food, beverage, beauty and personal care. Key brand clients include David, Grüns, Crumbl, The Good Crisp Company, and Purely Elizabeth.

Daniel Faierman is a General Partner at Habitat Partners, an early stage VC firm based in NY focused on Pre-Seed to Series A investments across the consumer and software ecosystems. The fund was born out of the renowned creative and branding firm, Red Antler. Habitat Partner's active CPG portfolio includes Pop Up Bagels, Mezcla, Ayoh Foods, Muddy Bites, Original Sunshine, Roxberry Kids, Inn Beauty Project, Sincerely Yours, and several others. Daniel has been an investor and operator in the consumer space for nearly 10 years with prior experience at organizations such as PepsiCo, AB InBev, Selva Ventures, VMG Partners, and Lyra Collective. Daniel is also an active angel with personal investments in Mid-Day Squares, Nara Organics, Brightland, KilgourMD, Keychain, Tiny Health, and several others. Daniel holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BA from Yale University, where he was a former varsity tennis player.

Tom First is the founder and CEO of Culture Pop Soda, the fast-growing “functional soda” brand that he started in 2020.  Culture Pop has burst onto the national stage over the last 5 years to become one of the fastest growing brands in the country. He is also the founder of Nantucket Nectars, which he co-founded with his college friend and business partner Tom Scott in 1989. Over the course of 14 years, under the leadership of Tom and Tom, Nantucket Nectars grew from a grass-roots start-up company to one with national prominence. For five consecutive years, the company was named to Inc. Magazine’s “Inc. 500” list of fastest-growing U.S. companies. While building Nantucket Nectars, Tom won several awards, including the Mercury Award for Advertising, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award, and several leadership and design awards. Nantucket Nectars was sold to Cadbury Schweppes (now Dr. Pepper Snapple (DPS – NYSE) in 2002.  A serial entrepreneur, Tom went on to found and lead several other ventures including Owater and Eleven Technologies, which was sold to Trimble (TRMB – Nasdaq) in 2005.  For years, Tom has invested in and advised emerging businesses in the food and beverage industry.  He was an early investor in Health-Ade Kombucha, Essentia Water, and Q Drinks.  He has a passion for product development, branding and team building.  Tom presently sits on the Boards of Directors of 88 Acres and Counter Culture Coffee. Tom graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in American History in 1989. Tom and his wife, Kristan (also a Brown graduate) live in Concord, Massachusetts and have three children.  Tom is a runner, swimmer, cyclist, races sailboats, and plays any other sport or game where competition can be found.

Elly Truesdell is Founder and Managing Partner of New Fare Partners, a venture capital fund centered on the modern eater and evolving American palate. As Global Director of Local Brands & Product Innovation at Whole Foods Market for nearly a decade, Elly played a pivotal role in driving the growth of the natural and organic food industry, propelling some of today’s most iconic consumer brands. Elly was the co-founder of Made by Nacho, a premium pet food brand with chef Bobby Flay. She was a Partner at venture fund Almanac, before founding New Fare. Elly holds a B.A in Media Studies from the University of Virginia, and sits on the Boards of Made by Nacho, Nara Organics, Tacombi & Actual Veggies.

Adam Kost is a consumer and beverage executive with a proven track record of building, scaling, and exiting brands across both startup and global CPG environments. As Founder and CEO of Dirty Shirley, Adam led the creation of a nationally distributed ready-to-drink cocktail brand, ultimately culminating in its acquisition by Sazerac, one of the largest spirits companies in the United States. His experience spans brand building, commercial strategy, and operational execution, with a particular strength in identifying emerging consumer patterns and translating them into high-growth businesses. Adam has held senior leadership roles across several prominent beverage companies. He served as Vice President of Marketing at Waterloo Sparkling Water, where he played a key role in the company’s successful exit, and at Milestone Brands, where he led portfolio growth and innovation initiatives. At ZX Ventures, the venture and innovation arm of Anheuser-Busch InBev, he led global eCommerce strategy, including assortment, sourcing, and operations across multiple markets. Earlier in his career, Adam held marketing and sales roles at Heineken and Pernod Ricard, working across some of the industry's most recognized brands. In addition to his operational roles, Adam is the founder of Heroes and Villains, a consulting firm that guides early-stage consumer startups through brand development, go-to-market strategy, and scaling. Through this work, he partners with founders to identify emerging trends, refine positioning, and build brands that resonate with modern consumers. Adam holds an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin with a focus on Finance and Marketing, as well as degrees from Johnson & Wales University in Hospitality and Restaurant Management. He is known for combining creative brand vision with disciplined execution, and for his ability to recognize patterns in consumer behavior and market dynamics to drive sustained growth and long-term value creation.

Nicolletta is a Senior Director of Merchandising at The Vitamin Shoppe, where she leads the On the Go and Protein categories in the specialty retail channel, driving growth across ready-to-eat, ready-to-drink, and protein businesses. Since joining the company in 2018, she has focused on identifying emerging trends, building strong brand partnerships, and bringing innovative, high-performing products to The Vitamin Shoppe customers.   She is known for her forward-looking approach to merchandising and her ability to translate consumer trends into scalable retail opportunities. Nicolletta is passionate about the intersection of convenience, functionality, and better-for-you innovation, and is always focused on what’s next in the evolving wellness space.

Rogers Healy is a multi-exited founder, entrepreneur, and investor with over 20 years of experience building businesses. He considers his secret weapon to be his eye for talent. Having built and exited multiple companies himself, Rogers knows firsthand what it takes to build something that lasts. Rogers' entrepreneurial journey began early, and in 2006, he founded what would become one of Texas's largest independently owned real estate firms — Rogers Healy and Associates Real Estate (RHA). Rogers quickly grew his real estate empire with Rogers Healy and Associates Land and Lake, Rogers Healy and Associates Commercial, Healy Global Real Estate and Relocation, and Healy Property Management, before exiting the portfolio in March 2026 to focus on venture capital full-time. In 2012, Rogers made his first venture capital investment in Mizzen+Main, sparking a passion for connecting the dots in the startup world. Over the next decade, he invested in various industries — from CPG to SaaS — before launching Morrison Seger Venture Capital Partners. "MoSe" quickly became known for backing game-changing companies, with investments spanning everything from tequila to trading cards, bringing a fresh perspective to venture capital. Most importantly, Rogers leads with faith and family. He and his wife, Abby, are proud parents to their daughters, Henley and Collins (named after Eagles frontman Don Henley and Phil Collins), their son Winwood (named after musician Steve Winwood), their dogs, and all their music memorabilia. Rogers has one of the largest collections of music memorabilia in the world. During his free time, Rogers enjoys relaxing with his family and friends at "Hotel California" — his 2,500-square-foot back house turned music oasis. As a veteran investor, Rogers is a part of some of the most well-known brands in the world.

Mark Rampolla is a visionary entrepreneur, investor, speaker, and writer known for inspiring mission-driven leaders to build businesses that matter—and lives of real freedom. As Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner of GroundForce Capital, he helps bold founders scale purpose-driven companies that generate massive impact including Liquid Death, Bobbie Baby Formula, Beyond Meat, Thrive Market, Vive Organics, OWYN and Humm Kombucha.  Previously, Mark founded ZICO Coconut Water, pioneering the multibillion-dollar coconut water category before selling to The Coca-Cola Company—and later, buying it back. Over his career, Mark has invested in more than 100 companies, served on over 20 boards, raised over $1 billion in capital, and helped generate more than $5 billion in enterprise value and create tens of thousands of jobs. A former Peace Corps volunteer and corporate executive, Mark blends Wall Street savvy with street-level soul. He is the best-selling author of two books: High-Hanging Fruit, a memoir and manifesto on building mission-aligned businesses and An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Freedom, a radical call to wake up from the myth of entrepreneurial freedom and discover what it truly means to be free—mentally, emotionally, financially, and spiritually. Since losing his home in the 2025 Pacific Palisades fires, Mark has been wandering—but not every wanderer is lost.