Mel Landis is the President of OLIPOP, the leading functional soda brand founded in 2018. With more than three decades of experience at industry-leading brands, Mel has helped drive growth across a range of business models both domestically and internationally. Prior to joining OLIPOP, he held executive roles at Coca-Cola, BodyArmor, The Clorox Company and Kraft General Foods, where he played a key role in sales growth, marketing and commercial strategy. Throughout his career, Mel has focused on improving enterprise productivity and financial performance through organizational redesign, cost reduction and re-allocation of capital to growth investments. Mel graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Business Administration, and currently resides in Florida with his family.

Anthony Kiedis, co-founder, JOLENE Coffee, is an American rock icon and the lead vocalist of the legendary rock band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Kiedis and his bandmates have produced five top-five albums and have sold over sixty million records worldwide since their formation in 1983.

Marisa Bertha is Chief Strategy Officer at Liquid Death, the healthy beverage company and one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic brands. Since joining in 2022, she has driven the company’s growth strategies by accelerating top line sales, expanding retail distribution, and successfully entering additional beverage categories. She leads fundraising and investor relations efforts, helping the company raise over $150 million and achieve a $1.4 billion valuation. Prior to Liquid Death, Marisa spent nearly a decade at 7-Eleven, where she served as Vice President of Growth and Head of 7-Ventures, the company’s corporate venture arm. She managed sourcing, diligence, and deal structuring for dozens of investments, primarily high-growth beverage brands. Her portfolio achieved top quartile venture capital returns and had three exits. She served as a board observer for three portfolio companies. In parallel to leading the venture arm, Marisa pioneered the 7-Eleven emerging brands strategy, built the merchant team from the ground up, launched the nationally recognized annual Brands with Heart showcase, and tested hundreds of better-for-you products in thousands of 7-Eleven stores nationwide. Marisa began her career at Deloitte Consulting working with Fortune 500 clients in the retail and TMT sectors. She holds a BBA from Southern Methodist University and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. She is a 2025 Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Marisa resides in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and two energetic children.

John Frost serves as Chobani’s Chief Customer Officer where he is focused on advancing Chobani’s position in the marketplace for both Chobani and La Colombe branded products. Prior to joining Chobani, Frost served as Senior Vice President of Retail for PepsiCo Foods US where he was responsible for the commercial and retail P&L management of Frito-Lay products across national and regional customers. Frost joined PepsiCo in 2000 as a District Sales Leader and has held numerous positions in sales operations, customer leadership, and headquarter commercial sales roles specifically within Frito-Lay and across most U.S. geographies.

Scout brings a dynamic blend of academic excellence and industry prowess to the non-alcoholic beverage space. With a degree in Neuroscience from MIT, Scout's professional journey spans over seven years in management consulting at McKinsey and venture capital at M13. In 2020, Scout co-founded a highly successful better-for-you CPG brand, DEUX, innovating a functional alternative with edible cookie dough. During the pandemic, Scout sought ways to sustain a balanced lifestyle, navigating the challenge of enjoying an occasional glass of wine while prioritizing her morning Peloton classes. During this time, Scout began exploring non-alcoholic drinks that allowed her to relax without sacrificing the next day. She quickly recognized the industry's potential for growth among consumers just like her. In 2021, Scout connected with the De Soi team before the brand's official launch. At the age of 27, she assumed the role of CEO, alongside co-founders Katy Perry and Morgan McLachlan. Under Scout's leadership, De Soi's presence in retail has grown to over 6,000 doors, with retail revenue up 150% YoY and big names that include Whole Foods Market, Target, Sprouts Farmers Market, Publix, Fresh Thyme, BevMo, and Total Wine & More.

Jack Belsito is currently the CEO of VOSS Americas. He is also the former CEO of Health Ade, former Managing Partner of First Beverage Group, and from 2009-2018 he served as Group CEO for VOSS of Norway. Belsito is the former CEO of the Snapple Beverage group and a long-time senior executive for Cadbury Schweppes' North American beverage business. He has more than 35 years of experience in the consumer products industry and over 20 years in beverages with companies such as Procter & Gamble, Pepsi, Snapple and Cadbury Schwepps Americas Beverages. A graduate of Boston University and a native of Worcester, Mass., Belsito lives in New York City.

Megan Klein is the founder of Little Saints, a brand of non-alcoholic cocktails and spirits powered by mushrooms. As a two-time brand founder and three-time wellness entrepreneur, Klein boasts one successful exit (The Fresh Factory, a plant-based foods manufacturer) and one failure (FarmedHere, the one-time largest indoor aquaponic farm in the U.S.). Before diving into entrepreneurship, she was an environmental attorney for Earthjustice. Klein created Little Saints in 2021 as a solution to a problem that many face: the work hard, play hard mentality surrounding booze took a toll on her health, but the non-alcoholic options on the market left much to be desired. With the help of an expert food scientist, Klein developed Little Saints: zero sugar, non-alcoholic cocktails and spirits fueled by mushrooms that capture the flavor, feeling, and enjoyment of alcohol—without the hangover. Klein has been featured on Shark Tank Season 16, Marketplace Morning Report (2022, 2024), Taste Radio, Second Life Podcast, and more.

Ralph D. Crowley Jr. is the President and CEO of Polar Beverages, the largest privately owned sparkling beverage bottler in the country. He has been in this position since 1992. Under Ralph’s leadership, Polar has grown from $18M to over $1B. Key acquisitions of manufacturing facilities that accelerated the grow of the company included Adirondack Beverages in Scotia NY, Polar South of Fitzgerald Georgia, and Polar Texas Bottling in Temple Texas. Ralph and his siblings also own Wachusett Mountain Ski Area in Princeton, Massachusetts. Ralph was President from 1981 till 1982 when he stepped down to become the Treasurer in 1992. Ralph received his BA from Bowdoin College and his MBA from Clark University.

Russell Wallach is the President of Live Nation Entertainment’s Global Media & Sponsorship business, leading strategy, growth, and execution for the world’s most impactful brand partnerships in live music. He oversees a team of over 700, connecting brands with 150+ million fans each year across more than 50 countries through Live Nation’s unmatched scale, including 50,000 concerts, 5,000 touring artists, 300+ venues, and 250+ global festivals. Under Russell’s leadership, Live Nation has become the go-to partner for brands looking to drive cultural relevance and deep fan engagement through unforgettable live experiences. He has built award-winning programs for some of the world’s most recognized companies — including Coca-Cola, Mastercard, Citi, Bacardi, PayPal, and 7-Eleven — while also spearheading investment partnerships with emerging brands like Liquid Death, about-face, and JOLENE, helping to scale products that resonate with fans across the live ecosystem. Prior to Live Nation, Russell held leadership roles at Clear Channel Entertainment, SFX Entertainment, and ProServ, where he played a key role in shaping the modern sponsorship landscape — from integrated brand campaigns to landmark stadium and arena naming rights deals. He holds a degree in Sports Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

As CEO, Ben is the driving force behind Yerba Madre's regenerative mission, leading initiatives to certify more of their products and ingredients to the ROC Gold level, conserve and restore the Atlantic Forest, and improve the livelihoods of producers and harvesters. Previously, as the CEO of Harmless Harvest, Ben restructured the company’s supply chain, achieving 100% zero waste, converting to 100% rPET bottles, and implemented regenerative ag practices across 50% of their farms. Prior to Harmless Harvest, Ben worked in various brand marketing and innovation roles at leading companies including Plum Organics, General Mills, Johnson & Johnson, and Interbrand.

With over two decades of experience in the beverage industry, Jill Sites has built a career at the intersection of innovation, brand building, and strategic sales. Currently serving as Executive Vice President of Sales atThe Pathfinder, a trailblazer in the non-alcoholic space, Jill also founded Soak Up the Sites in 2024, consulting across a vibrant roster of forward-thinking beverage brands including Little Saints, Moth Drinks, and others. Previously, Sites was Vice President of Wholesale Sales at Boisson, where she drove exponential growth in national partnerships and built a wholesale division for a robust portfolio of non-alcoholic brands. Prior to that, she played pivotal roles at Betty Buzz, Redwood Brands, and Breakthru Beverage Group, spearheading national campaigns, launching innovative brand strategies, and leading dynamic sales teams in emerging craft and premium categories. Her roots in operations and entrepreneurship—from scaling Greenbush Brewing Co. to helming her own PR firm—underscore a holistic, ground-up understanding of how to connect products with consumers in authentic and scalable ways. A seasoned speaker and brand advocate, Jill Sites brings unmatched insight into trends shaping the modern beverage landscape, including the rise of functional drinks, the evolution of non-alc, and the art of blending culture with commerce.

Chris Hunter is a successful entrepreneur focused on creating, investing in, and scaling pioneering brands. He is the Co-Founder of iconic alcohol brands Four Loko and Not Your Father’s Root Beer, and plant based brand, Koia. As CEO of Koia, he has led the brand to become the leader in refrigerated plant based protein, with distribution into over 35,000 retail locations across the country including Whole Foods, Starbucks, Kroger, 7 Eleven and is currently focused on scaling Koia into the leading plant-based nutritional platform through both category and channel expansion. Furthermore, Hunter founded Perspective Projects, his venture capital arm, in 2016, which has invested in brands such as Ghost, Factor, Wilde, Vive Organics, among others. Hunter grew up in Northeast Ohio and graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration & Marketing and currently lives in Miami with his wife and three young sons.

Dan Lourenco is the CEO and Co-Founder of GHOST, a global sports nutrition and energy brand known for its disruptive collaborations, ingredient transparency, and loyal community. Though fitness has always been a passion of his, Dan’s professional journey started outside the industry, as a commercial pilot and flight instructor in his early twenties, before he made the leap into sports nutrition. A self-proclaimed cereal connoisseur and sneaker enthusiast, Dan teamed up with longtime friend and now Co-Founder, Ryan Hughes, to launch GHOST in 2016. What started as a self-funded venture on the floor of Dan’s apartment has grown into a category-defining lifestyle brand that resonates with consumers worldwide. Under Dan’s leadership, GHOST has become known for industry-first brand collaborations, innovative content, and strategic partnerships with athletes and influencers. In October 2024, Dan and the team announced a majority sale to Keurig Dr Pepper, valuing the company at $1.65 billion, a milestone that underscores the brand’s rapid growth and cultural impact. And while the GHOST story is just getting started, Dan remains committed to creating a brand that helps people feel and perform their best - wherever they are in life.

Manny Lubin is a Co-Founder of Slate Milk, a strength and energy brand that sells high protein milk shakes and iced coffees. He is a graduate of Northeastern University.

Kurt is a retail industry veteran with extensive experience in beverage across the supplier landscape, grocery industry, and category leadership across convenience. In his current capacity as Head of North America Merchandising for Couche-Tard, he is leading efforts to drive growth across all strategic in-store product categories, with a heavy focus on packaged and dispensed beverages.

Kurt Seidensticker is a NASA aerospace engineer turned serial entrepreneur and wellness innovator and strong consumer analytics background. He founded Vital Proteins and defined an entire new category of dietary supplements and defined an entirely new category of lifestyle consumer goods. He successfully led Vital’s strategic acquisition by Nestle Health Sciences, making him one of the most successful consumer entrepreneurs of the past decade. He is now the Founder and Managing Principal of Starshot Ventures, a venture studio and venture capital firm with a portfolio of emerging consumer brands. He is also the Co-Lead Investor on Ghost Energy.

Jackie Atlas is the Managing Director at Jolene Coffee, where she leads brand and portfolio strategy, go-to-market execution and oversees overall operations. A global brand and innovation leader with over a decade of experience, Jackie has driven growth for some of the world's most iconic consumer brands. Prior to Jolene, Jackie held key roles on global brand teams at leading CPG and F&B companies, including Reckitt and AB Inbev/Zx Ventures, developing deep expertise across the beverage, personal care and wellness categories. Her career has spanned both powerhouse brands and scrappy start-ups, giving her a unique perspective on how to scale with agility and purpose. A passionate builder at heart, Jackie thrives at the intersection of creativity and strategy. After years advising and working alongside early-stage brands, she's now channeling that energy into building Jolene from the ground up, alongside an incredible team of creatives, operators, and partners.

Sally Lyons Wyatt is the leading global consumer packaged goods and foodservice industry advisor. She is a go-to expert and frequent keynote speaker on future-forward consumer and retail insights, industry trends, and a multitude of topics related to F&B, Nonfood, sustainability, emerging categories, and more. Lyons Wyatt also leads a global team of industry experts. She is frequently quoted about the latest trends and insights in national business media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and leading CPG trade media publications. In her prior role as EVP and practice leader for Circana’s Global CPG division, Lyons Wyatt drove integrated client initiatives and managed the company’s center store and produce account teams. She has more than 25 years of industry expertise in partnering with Fortune 500 clients. She leverages Circana data to optimize a wide range of strategies with clients – from consumer and media to merchandising and supply strategies. Lyons Wyatt is a two-time “Top Women in Grocery” recipient and a proud executive sponsor of Circana’s Early Career Professionals Business Resource Group.

Kyle Fitzpatrick is the founder of paperboy ventures, a media platform connecting the next generation of breakout consumer brands with early-stage investors and top talent. A seasoned CPG operator, Kyle has held leadership roles at brands like Red Bull, Numerator, IQBar, and The Feel Good Lab. He currently serves as a strategic advisor to Pizza Wine and is an active member of The Angel Group. Outside of work, Kyle coaches varsity basketball in his hometown of Woodbury, CT, where he lives with his wife and three young children.

Rob Welcome is a broker and consultant for the convenience channel, and the founder of Welcome Beverage Partnerships   Rob entered the CPG industry in 1999 with Tradewinds, a tea company where he spent eleven years learning all aspects of the beverage business as their Director of National Accounts, departing there in 2010, after it was purchased by Nestle. He then moved to New Leaf Tea as the Vice President over national accounts for the convenience channel. In 2011, he founded Welcome Beverage Partnerships, with a goal of specializing in the convenience channel by offering strategic direction and consultation to both small and very large retailers and brands, towards building lasting partnerships for all involved.

Alyssa Arnold is a partner at The Angel Group, bringing over 14 years of experience investing in and advising early-stage companies through periods of growth and acquisition. In 2022, she founded Pearl Influential Capital, a syndicate that raised over $1.5 million across 12 deals before being acquired by Cherub Investments. Alyssa lives in Houston, Texas with her husband and four children.

With a background consulting on innovation and insights projects with big-beverage, and a penchant for old-fashioneds but not hangovers, Lewie dove head first into the non-alc space with Flyers Cocktail Co, building the future of drinking with award winning sparkling, non-alcoholic cocktails, to help New Yorkers and the world imbibe, and live their life without compromise (hangovers). Lewie is a TedX speaker, Guinness World Record holder, Freediving Instructor, wingsuit pilot and proud father of a rambunctious Australian Shepherd. Lewie has worked on fast-pace projects with global and local teams at Budweiser, Bud Light, Red Bull, NFL, NHL, Heineken, Anheuser-Busch, PepsiCo and helps start-ups scale through VC Incubator introductions, brand strategy and marketing. Lewie managed a world-first and USA's biggest beverage activation; live-syncing of 80,000 Bud Light Touch-Down Glasses to scoring moments at SuperBowl LII, working with NFL, Anheuser-Busch and Buzz Connect. Lewie believes in a future where consumers have more choice during traditional alcohol occasions, across alcoholic, low-alc, non-alc, and cannabis beverages.

Nicholas Giannuzzi is currently a Founding Partner at Humble Growth, an investment firm with a $312 million debut fund dedicated to propelling disruptive companies that are changing the ways we eat, drink, feel, and live. Prior to founding Humble Growth, Mr. Giannuzzi was the Founder and Managing Partner of Giannuzzi Lewendon LLP, previously known as The Giannuzzi Group, LLP, the leading law firm in the high-growth food, beverage, and personal care industries. Founded in 2011, the firm currently represents over 1,000 consumer products companies, as well as some of the leading private equity funds, distributors, and multinational companies operating in these sectors. Although Nick is well-regarded in the health and wellness space generally, he has always been most passionate about helping founders. In addition to providing a comprehensive range of day-to-day services, under Nick’s direction, he has advised some of the most successful start-up companies in the world, including Glaceau (creator of VitaminWater and SmartWater), BodyArmor, Pirate’s Booty, Pretzel Crisps, Vita Coco, Califia Farms, KRAVE, HappyBaby, Essentia, Vital Proteins, Siggi’s, RXBar, Tate’s Bake Shop, Schmidt’s, Oatly, Bumble Bee Tuna, Hu Products, Hello Products, GT’s Kombucha, Kevita, Sir Kensington’s, WTRMLN WTR, Orgain, KOPARI, and many more, creating over $10 billion in exit value for clients. Nick and his co-founders at Humble Growth have recently acquired a $32 million minority stake in Momentous, a fast-growing business that seeks to bring to the masses the kind of products used by professional athletes and the military. Most notably, Nick represented BodyArmor in Coca-Cola’s largest-ever brand acquisition by which Coca-Cola purchased the remainder of BodyArmor for $5.6 billion at an enterprise value of $8 billion. The Giannuzzi Group was named The Deal’s 2018 “Food & Beverage Law Firm of the Year” and accepted The M&A Advisor’s “Cross Border Deal of the Year” award at the 11th Annual M&A Awards in 2019 for its involvement in the acquisition of Yucatan Foods by Landec Corporation. Nicholas attended Harvard University, New York University School of Law, and currently resides in Greenwich, CT with his wife and family.

Shane Powers, co-founder of JOLENE Coffee, is an entrepreneur, father and former Survivor contestant. He is passionate about good, quality coffee, believing in its ability to bring people together, and shares a weekly coffee ritual with his longtime friend Anthony Kiedis - the inspiration behind his latest venture, JOLENE Coffee. Shane’s proudest accomplishment is raising his son, Boston, who is now a nationally ranked basketball coach.

Josh Wand is the Founder and CEO of ForceBrands, a strategic talent for consumer brands that provides end-to-end hiring solutions designed to help today’s most innovative companies match talent strategy to growth strategy. Josh is also the founder of PINATA, a task management software that optimizes operational field management and data transparency. His latest endeavor, The Family Fund, is a specialized venture capital firm he launched alongside fellow entrepreneurs that invests in top-tier firms and repeat entrepreneurs.

Lou Prignano is a longtime executive with KDP and its associated companies. He has more than 30 years of M&A and Brand Licensing experience with over 50 completed deals. Some of those key deals involved the Keurig/ Dr Pepper Snapple merger; Snapple Beverage Group, Bai Beverages, Nantucket Nectars, Hawaiian Punch, Orangina/Yoo-Hoo, Halls Cough Drops, Trident Gum as well as nearly 30 independent beverage distributors. Key distribution agreements/ investments include Body Armor, Vita Coco, Bai Beverages, Core Hydration, and High Brew Coffee.

Jennifer Cabrera is a partner at A.Y. Strauss and leads the firm’s Cannabis Group. With a background in litigation and a reputation as a persistent problem solver, Jennifer is known for her highly organized, responsive, and client-centered approach. She works tirelessly to help clients navigate the complex legal landscape of cannabis law with efficiency and precision. Jennifer advises cannabis businesses throughout New Jersey and New York, providing strategic guidance on regulatory compliance, state and local licensing, and fundraising. She works with companies of all sizes, from startups to multi-state operators, and often serves as outside general counsel. Through her leadership, clients benefit from full-service legal support in collaboration with A.Y. Strauss’s broader capabilities. Before joining the firm, Jennifer led the New Jersey branch at one of the nation’s top-ranked cannabis law firms for six years, where she supported the development and growth of businesses throughout the state. Earlier in her career, she managed her own boutique law firm focused on commercial litigation and arbitration. Jennifer began her legal career at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where she represented clients in complex commercial disputes. She completed her LL.M. at the University of Cambridge, Clare Hall, earned her J.D. at Harvard Law School, and holds a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. Jennifer is deeply involved in leadership, education, and community initiatives. She serves on the board of the National Hispanic Cannabis Council and previously held a position on the Board of Trustees of the Harvard Club of New York City. In addition to her legal practice, she has served as an adjunct professor at Fordham University School of Law and St. John’s University School of Law, and as a visiting lecturer at Duke University School of Law. Jennifer is also a frequent speaker at cannabis industry conferences, where she lends her expertise to shape conversations around law, business strategy, and equity in the evolving cannabis landscape. Her accomplishments have been recognized by Best Lawyers in Cannabis Law (2023–2025) and New York Super Lawyers in 2022.

Brandon Pollock is the founder and CEO of Theory Wellness, established 2015, which is the country’s largest employee owned cannabis company, with cannabis licenses in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, and Ohio.  Theory’s beverage products, including New England’s top selling THC beverage, “Hi5,” have recently been introduced to the hemp derived national market via both state by state alcohol distribution channels as well as direct to consumer sales. 

As founder and CEO of BevNET, John Craven is a widely-recognized authority on the beverage industry and he is frequently cited in mainstream media. His vision shapes the editorial, publishing, and positioning of all of BevNET's properties, including BevNET.com, NOSH.com, BevNET Magazine, Brewbound.com and their associated conferences. John is a graduate of Boston College with a BS in Marketing and Computer Science.

Henry Kasindorf is a seasoned serial entrepreneur who has built and scaled ventures in the technology, energy, and hospitality fields. He is currently the CEO and Co-Founder of Remedy Organics, a collaboration with his wife Cindy, a health and wellness expert and nutritional health counselor. Remedy Organics is disrupting the beverage industry by developing clean label, plant-based beverages with meaningful functional ingredients. The business is experiencing rapid growth nationally, with products available in leading stores such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, Walmart, 7-11, CVS, and online at Amazon and www.remedyorganics.com. Henry received a Bachelor of Science degree from Babson College. He is active in the NY chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization of New York, a member of Leveraged Wisdom, and was selected to attend the Birthing of Giants program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as well as the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program. Henry has served on the board of several companies and non-profit organizations and has a passion for building great companies.

Clients routinely rely on Will to help them navigate through private equity, venture capital, and angel financing transactions, as well as mergers and acquisitions, commercial lending transactions, and other corporate governance issues. Food & beverage, tech, life sciences, and consumer/retail companies look to Will for assistance throughout their entire lifespans, from initial planning and formation to operations and exit, including formulating the strategy to realize their business goals and to build the foundation necessary to secure third party investment. Investors in emerging growth companies seek Will’s counsel when structuring their financing transactions. Will has counseled clients in angel and venture backed financings representing an aggregate of over $1 billion in investment in early-stage companies.

Jacques has 30 years of design and brand building experience. He began his career in South Africa and Europe, coming to the US in 1993 where his conceptually innovative design solutions have continued to earn international accolades. He joined Voicebox in 2006 as a managing partner and is responsible for managing the firm’s strategic design initiatives and mentoring and growing the creative team.

Claudia Lewis, co-chair of Venable’s FDA Group, counsels clients on matters involving Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation, labeling, and marketing of foods, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, medical devices, and other products. With deep knowledge of dietary supplement labeling regulations, Claudia represents scientists, physicians, nutritionists, healthcare associations, and citizen groups. She has also aided international clients in establishing a U.S. market for their products. She has prepared and presented constitutional and administrative law cases before the FDA, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Bill Sipper is a seasoned leader in the food and beverage industry, currently serving as the Managing Partner of Cascadia Managing Brands, a firm he co-founded in 2012 after merging his earlier venture, Cascadia Consulting Group, established in 2003 . With over three decades of experience, Sipper has held senior roles at prominent companies such as Evian, Clearly Canadian, Nantucket Nectars, Fresh Samantha/Odwalla, and Naked Juice. At Cascadia Managing Brands, Sipper has been instrumental in guiding numerous brands from inception to market leadership. His strategic expertise has supported the growth of brands like Liquid Death, Zico Coconut Water, Hint Water, C2O Coconut Water, Steaz, Rain Water and more. In 2024, Sipper authored Flavors and Fortunes: Navigating the Food and Beverage World, a comprehensive 1,100-page handbook that distills his extensive industry knowledge. The book offers insights into team building, consumer engagement, disruptive marketing, and sales strategies, serving as a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and industry professionals. Sipper is also a recognized speaker and contributor to industry publications, sharing his insights on brand development and market strategies. His pragmatic approach and deep industry knowledge continue to influence the food and beverage sector.

Matthew Murray is a creative force and growth strategist with over two decades of experience scaling brands, launching category-defining companies, and crafting iconic cultural moments. His career spans executive roles at Fortune 500s and breakthrough startups, including leadership positions at Oakley, Getty Images, ICM Partners, Therabody (formerly Theragun), and Love Wellness, where he served as Partner, COO, and CMO during a period of 150x growth. Today, Matthew’s primary focus is building two ventures at the intersection of wellness, culture, and community. He is the co-founder of 98Strong, a leading NIL agency that connects NCAA student athletes with forward-thinking food, beverage, and wellness brands. He is also the founder of Blaze n Chill, a fast-growing hemp and mushroom wellness brand on a mission to normalize cannabinoids through everyday use cases — with distribution now expanding through Amazon and retail partners. In addition to these ventures, Matthew continues to offer senior-level brand and operational consulting through Coalition Space, a boutique advisory practice supporting select brands and agencies. He also remains active in his longtime passion for photography, with recent Leica-based works featured in gallery shows and installations, known for capturing surreal, high-impact moments with rich emotion and intensity. As an alumnus of James Madison University, Matthew has spent the past four years giving back through workshops, lectures, and mentorship programs across the Hart School (Sports Management), School of Visual Arts, and the Entrepreneurship program — driven by a belief in investing in the next generation of creative and business talent. He is an active father to his two children, Blaise and Kilian, and finds inspiration in travel, the arts, snowboarding, tennis, golf, and chasing light through his lens.

Andrew Mavis is the CEO & Founder of 98Strong, a leading platform revolutionizing the collegiate athletics landscape through Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) empowerment. A 2020 graduate of George Washington University and a three-time All-American water polo player, Andrew’s journey into NIL innovation was sparked by his own experience as a student athlete—and the realization that 98% of NCAA athletes will never turn professional in their sport. Founded ahead of NIL legalization in 2021, 98Strong was born from Andrew’s mission to help student athletes across all sports maximize their collegiate experience and build real-world opportunities. What began as a vision has grown into a nationwide movement: 98Strong now supports a community of over 40,000 NCAA student athletes across all three divisions and more than 1,000 universities. Under Andrew’s leadership, 98Strong has become a category-defining force in the NIL space—blending Gen Z influence, cutting-edge technology, and white-glove agency services to drive results. The company partners with top consumer brands including OLIPOP, Guayaki (now Yerba Madre), Orgain, C4 Energy, Vuori, and Brooks Running—delivering campaigns rooted in authenticity, community, and measurable ROI. As a founder, athlete, and NIL trailblazer, Andrew continues to challenge the status quo—ensuring student athletes are not only seen, but valued.

Aly O’Brien is a former Division I soccer player, content creator, and emerging voice in the evolving NIL space. With five years of collegiate soccer experience at UC Santa Barbara and St. John’s University, Aly brings a unique perspective shaped by discipline, leadership, and firsthand experience navigating life as a student athlete. A lifelong multi-sport athlete and 4.0 student, she blends academic excellence with a deep understanding of the mental, physical, and emotional demands placed on today’s college athletes. She began building her personal brand during the early days of NIL, using social media to connect, educate, and entertain. Her passion for wellness, fitness, and lifestyle content fueled the growth of her online presence under the hashtag #activealy. Along the way, she experienced the real-world challenges and opportunities of brand partnerships and learned how to evolve, rebrand, and advocate for authenticity in a crowded space. Now pursuing a Master’s in Sport Management at St. John’s, Aly is focused on shaping the future of NIL from the inside out. She is especially passionate about athlete sponsorships, sustainable branding, and long-term career development. She is also committed to helping the next generation, including her younger brother who recently committed to USC for basketball, learn how to leverage their platforms while staying grounded in purpose. Whether speaking on marketing strategy, mentoring student athletes, or sharing her journey online, Aly’s mission is clear. She wants to empower athletes to take control of their narrative, build long-lasting value, and protect their well-being both on and off the field.

Ryan Pinsky is a seasoned sales executive and industry leader with over a decade of experience driving revenue growth across emerging markets. Currently serving as Vice President of Sales at Vertosa, Ryan helps build and scale infused product lines by aligning science-backed innovation with commercial strategy. With a proven track record leading high-growth teams and launching successful ventures, Ryan is passionate about helping partners bring high-quality, compliant products to market—quickly and efficiently.

Maggie Diasparra is a seasoned beverage formulation expert with over 16 years of industry experience, currently serving as Senior Application and Sales Manager at Abstrax Tech. Throughout her career, Maggie has specialized in developing innovative beverage solutions, with the past six years dedicated to the rapidly evolving field of cannabis-infused beverages. Maggie’s work at Abstrax Tech places her at the forefront of terpene science and infusion technologies, helping brands craft exceptional cannabis beverage experiences. Passionate about the intersection of science and creativity, Maggie brings a dynamic perspective to the industry and enjoys sharing insights on formulation challenges, innovation pathways, and the future of infused beverages.

Following a decades-long career in the branding and marketing space, Troy began his entrepreneurial adventure with the founding of LEVIA, a national leader in the cannabis beverage industry, which he successfully exited and sold to AYR Wellness in 2022. Today, Troy heads Monarch Beverage, a vertically integrated firm to help clients formulate, design, develop, and deploy new cannabis, hemp, and non-alc businesses, brands, and beverages. 

A seasoned marketing, PR, and Biz Dev professional with extensive experience in strategic planning, brand development and corporate communications within several verticals, Derek brings 10 years of cannabis experience and oversees all of Monarch’s development, strategy, marketing, communications, and client relations. As Co-founder of both Monarch Emulsions and Monarch Beverage, Derek works with brands and operators to provide cost-effective solutions for their lines of cannabis consumer packaged goods. 

LA High Spirits Awards Gold Medal 2023 6x Author/Journalist-Chef/Barman/Cannabis Alchemist/Master Mixologist  SXSW Cannabis Disruption Berlin Bar Convent-Cannabis Track Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award Nominee

Chris is a co-founder and the Chief Operating Officer of Aisle AI, a position he has held since its inception.  In this role Chris is responsible for driving growth at Aisle both in terms of revenue and operational scaling.   Today, Chris spends most of his time building the Aisle product platform and new AI-enabled analytics products for clients.  Chris is a seasoned executive leader with over 25 years of professional management advisory consulting experience across a range of functions and with an emphasis in consumer goods and retail.   Prior to joining Aisle, Chris was the Managing Partner of consulting, analytics, and digital engineering for the Consumer & Retail practice in the Americas for DXC Technology, a $20 billion global systems integrator created by the merger of HP and CSC.  In this role, Chris oversaw a $70 million portfolio of services targeted at DXC’s largest consumer and retail clients including P&G, Kraft, Mondelez, Grupo Bimbo, British American Tobacco, AHOLD, MolsonCoors, and many more.  Prior to HP & DXC, Chris has been a career management advisory consultant focused on large scale business transformations and M&A integrations.  He spent significant time as a partner at Diamond Management & Technology Consultants (now part of PwC), and as a founding partner at Liberty Lane Advisors, which focused primarily on M&A activity in the private equity industry. Chris holds an undergraduate degree in English literature from the University of Michigan and an MBA in finance & business policy from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Kevin Senn is a Co-Founder and the CEO of AisleAI, a cutting-edge retail analytics platform that uses artificial intelligence to transform how CPG brands access, understand, and act on data. With a background spanning CPG, SaaS, and payments, Kevin has spent his career helping companies leverage technology to gain strategic advantages. At AisleAI, he leads a team focused on democratizing data insights—no data scientists required—enabling brands to win at the shelf with SKU-level intelligence and the ability to combine that with other curated data sources like demographics and the customer’s own data. Kevin is passionate about making AI practical, actionable, and ROI-driven for operators at every level of the value chain. Kevin holds a degree from Occidental College and a J.D. from UC Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law.

Currently serving at Chief Sales Officer at SPYLT,  Former Chief Customer Officer at Swire Coca-Cola, USA.  Swire Coca-Cola is a division of JS&S (John Swire and Sons), London. Seasoned CPG Executive with over 38 years in the Beverage Industry. 3 years as an owner/operator with Coca-Cola, New York.  Responsible for multiple roles  at Swire over a storied 33-year career.  Prior to the  Chief Customer role,  served as Group Vice President of Retail Sales.  He also managed the Intermountain Division and lived in Boise, Idaho for 11 years. He served as a board member for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Chairman of Recruiting  for JDRF, Idaho Chapter and held a board position for Special Olympics Idaho. Steve enjoys boating, skiing, golfing, exercising and spending time outdoors with his wife Jodie and my 2 girls Ella Grace (19- Go UTES!) and Abigail Rose (18- Go BRONCOS)

Matt Wallaert translates behavioral science into real-world impact, a vision he's pursued for 20 years. As CXO at Oceans, he applies this to global talent acquisition for high-growth businesses, drawing on his multifaceted experience: a social psychologist's understanding of human motivation, an executive's track record (startups, Microsoft, public companies, managing large teams), and a service provider's practical insights. Everything Matt does ties back to strategically changing behavior—whether through product design, organizational development, or creating equitable opportunities.

Julia Walsh is an Account Manager at 98Strong, where she helps lead NIL campaigns that connect brands with NCAA student athletes in authentic, high-impact ways. A 2024 graduate of Clemson University and four-year varsity coxswain on the Division I Women’s Rowing team, Julia brings firsthand experience navigating the evolving NIL landscape as a student athlete. At Clemson, Julia served as President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), collaborating with the Athletic Department on NIL education, compliance, and athlete advocacy. She also worked with the Clemson Athletic Department and the Atlantic Coast Conference, cementing her role as a campus leader. Today, Julia channels that same energy at 98Strong—empowering athletes to unlock their value while helping brands like OLIPOP and Bucked Up activate with purpose across college campuses.

With her finger on the pulse of better-for-you brands, Rachel Krupa is the Founder of The Goods Mart, a better-for-you, socially conscious convenience store which opened its doors in 2018 and now has three locations in New York City. As a professional “Snack Curator,” Rachel has deep insights into what makes a small brand stand out on the shelves with a goal of elevating emerging food brands to be household names, with a focus on female and diverse founders. She also offers personalized and customized snack curation for corporations, hotels, and beyond such as Standard Hotels in New York, Hotel Chelsea, The Smyth Tribeca, Jose Andres Catering, + more. Rachel is also the founder of Krupa Consulting, a boutique PR agency focused on food and wellness brands. She launched Thrive Market, Tastemade, Goop’s wellness vertical, Brownie Brittle, Barnana, Mercado Famous, Our Place, WTHN, Clean Market and played an integral part in the growth of MatchaBar, Milk Bar, LaColombe, The Class by Taryn Toomey, and many more. Rachel’s work as a leader in better-for-you food and wellness iterations has garnered her features in Fast Company, Marie Claire, New York Times, Today Show, and Vogue, among others. Rachel has graced Create & Cultivate’s annual list of forward-thinking women, and she is an advisor for Food Tank, Naturally New York, and New American Kitchen.

Charlie graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a film degree. After a stint in Los Angeles he decided that food was his ultimate passion. He has been with Whole Foods for twelve years. He started in the stores working his way up from the very most entry level position. He was on the Exclusive Brands Team for over 5 years developing private label products and managing the P&L for many different categories. He became the Senior Category Manager for Refrigerated Beverages in 2021, which includes Juice, Refrigerated Coffee, and Functional Beverage. Charlie is also a trained Certified Cheese Professional. For anyone who needs cheese board advice, he is your guy. Charlie is routinely plotting his next travel destination with his Fiancée and is an avid movie goer.

Kurt is a retail industry veteran with extensive experience in beverage across the supplier landscape, grocery industry, and category leadership across convenience. In his current capacity as Head of North America Merchandising for Couche-Tard, he is leading efforts to drive growth across all strategic in-store product categories, with a heavy focus on packaged and dispensed beverages.

Candice Ternus is the Principal Category Merchant for Shelf-Stable Beverages at Whole Foods Market, where she oversees water, ready-to-drink tea, and shelf-stable functional beverages. Her journey with Whole Foods Market began in 2014 at the Champions store in Houston, where she gained hands-on experience across multiple roles, including Market Assistant Team Leader for the Specialty, Grocery, and Whole Body departments. She later transitioned to the Global Accounts Payable team, serving as both a Specialist and an Analyst before returning to her passion for products and suppliers. In 2020, Candice joined the Specialty team as an Associate Category Merchant, managing beer and spirits, and was later promoted to Senior Category Merchant, overseeing all local beer on the West Coast. Along the way, she earned her Level 1 Cicerone certification, becoming a certified beer expert. In her current role, Candice leverages her deep industry knowledge and sharp eye for innovation to lead category management and supplier relations, supporting hundreds of brands. She is passionate about upholding Whole Foods Market’s rigorous quality standards and is dedicated to sourcing the highest quality products. Recognizing the impact of her purchasing decisions, she prioritizes onboarding brands that focus on sustainable sourcing and packaging. Outside of work, Candice enjoys hiking, exploring Austin’s best happy hour spots, traveling, and spending time by the water—whether it’s rivers, beaches, or pools.

Eddie Attubato is the Beverage Category Manager at Stop & Shop, where he leads a dedicated team focused on bringing the right mix of innovation, value, and customer appeal to the beverage aisle. With a background in retail operations, Eddie brings a practical, store-level perspective to category strategy—helping turn big ideas into real results on the shelf. He’s passionate about building strong supplier partnerships, staying ahead of consumer trends, and creating a shopping experience that keeps customers coming back.

Mike Sanchez began his career with H-E-B in 2009 as an Overnight Stocker in San Antonio. He served as Grocery Manager in the Central Texas region for 2 years before entering store operations for 4 years. In 2020, Mike joined the corporate Shelf Edge Team as a Merchandising Manager and transitioned to Senior Leader in 2022. In 2024, Mike moved to procurement to be the buyer for Still Beverages- Water, Sports Drinks, RTD Tea, and RTD Coffee. Mike and his wife, Leah celebrated eight years of marriage this year and have a Goldendoodle named Louie and a Dachshund named Hank. Mike and Leah are self-proclaimed foodies and enjoy cooking together and trying new foods and restaurants. In Mike’s free time, you will find him making his famous homemade salsa, listening to Taylor Swift, or hitting the links on the weekend with his grandpa. His favorite time of year is football season, and he is an avid fantasy football player and a loyal supporter of his Denver Broncos.

After a lengthy career in arenas, stadiums, and amusement parks, transitioned to the convenience retail channel, beginning in 2004, managing a store for Turkey Hill Minit Markets. Held positions of progressive responsibility, including District Manager, Regional Operations Manager, and Director of Operations. Spent final six years with Turkey Hill Minit Markets as Vice President of Operations. As part of a development plan within Kroger, moved to the Loaf ‘N Jug Division of Kroger’s Convenience Stores as Vice President of Marketing in 2016. Joined Buchanan Energy as a Category Manager in Omaha, Nebraska after leaving Kroger. The 2021 acquisition of Buchanan Energy resulted in joining the Casey’s Merchandising Team as Senior Category Manager.

With her finger on the pulse of better-for-you brands, Rachel Krupa is the Founder of The Goods Mart, a better-for-you, socially conscious convenience store which opened its doors in 2018 and now has three locations in New York City. As a professional “Snack Curator,” Rachel has deep insights into what makes a small brand stand out on the shelves with a goal of elevating emerging food brands to be household names, with a focus on female and diverse founders. She also offers personalized and customized snack curation for corporations, hotels, and beyond such as Standard Hotels in New York, Hotel Chelsea, The Smyth Tribeca, Jose Andres Catering, + more. Rachel is also the founder of Krupa Consulting, a boutique PR agency focused on food and wellness brands. She launched Thrive Market, Tastemade, Goop’s wellness vertical, Brownie Brittle, Barnana, Mercado Famous, Our Place, WTHN, Clean Market and played an integral part in the growth of MatchaBar, Milk Bar, LaColombe, The Class by Taryn Toomey, and many more. Rachel’s work as a leader in better-for-you food and wellness iterations has garnered her features in Fast Company, Marie Claire, New York Times, Today Show, and Vogue, among others. Rachel has graced Create & Cultivate’s annual list of forward-thinking women, and she is an advisor for Food Tank, Naturally New York, and New American Kitchen.

Charlie graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a film degree. After a stint in Los Angeles he decided that food was his ultimate passion. He has been with Whole Foods for twelve years. He started in the stores working his way up from the very most entry level position. He was on the Exclusive Brands Team for over 5 years developing private label products and managing the P&L for many different categories. He became the Senior Category Manager for Refrigerated Beverages in 2021, which includes Juice, Refrigerated Coffee, and Functional Beverage. Charlie is also a trained Certified Cheese Professional. For anyone who needs cheese board advice, he is your guy. Charlie is routinely plotting his next travel destination with his Fiancée and is an avid movie goer.

Fred Hart is a brand consultant, creative director, and design strategist obsessed with building and studying CPG brands. Over the last decade, Fred has built a 30-person branding agency, transformed over 137 CPG brands, won 5 Design Effectiveness Awards, and has quenched the design thirst of beverage brands ranging from KOIA, Vive Organic, Suja, Lemon Perfect, Califia, Monster, Mike's Hard and more.

As founder and CEO of BevNET, John Craven is a widely-recognized authority on the beverage industry and he is frequently cited in mainstream media. His vision shapes the editorial, publishing, and positioning of all of BevNET's properties, including BevNET.com, NOSH.com, BevNET Magazine, Brewbound.com and their associated conferences. John is a graduate of Boston College with a BS in Marketing and Computer Science.

As the Senior Director of Strategic Planning & PMO for New Revenue Streams, David spearheads strategic decision-making, project management, and cross-functional collaboration to drive growth in new businesses, including the Alcohol subsidiary and Coffee category at Coca-Cola. 

As the leader of New Revenue Streams, Dan drives new business models and opportunities beginning with category expansion and the evolving access to beverages across the consumer journey.  This includes the leadership of the Company’s efforts with brands in beverage alcohol, enhanced hydration, premium sparkling waters, and home dispensing systems. 

Mike Schneider is BevNET’s CRMO and the co-host of Taste Radio podcast. Mike has over 20 years of experience building products and brands. Mike loves soccer and will talk your ear off about the Arsenal. His favorite holidays are St. Totteringham’s Day and Michael Thomas Day.

Paula Grant is a beverage designer and entrepreneur that has created multiple (multiple) billion-dollar beverage brands like, Fuze, NOS, Core Water and BodyArmor, accounting for over $6.3 billion in strategic acquisitions and countless multiples in revenue over the past 20+ years. She owns a full service design studio in Soho NY that partners with a select group of emerging and established brands, using great design thinking and creative talent to create success stories. Paula and her team have a deep passion for working with startups and understand their unique challenges and ecosystems.