Todd Davis’s journey with Kroger started in 1995 as a fresh-faced Courtesy Clerk, and it didn’t take long for his hard work to pay off—he was promoted to Produce Clerk that same year. By 1996, Todd had already stepped into his first leadership role as a Produce Manager, setting the stage for a career full of growth and fresh opportunities. Fast forward through the years, and Todd’s resume reads like a tour of the grocery world. From Assistant Store Leader in 2001 to Division CAO Specialist in Houston, Produce Field Specialist, and more, Todd has worn a lot of hats. His knack for innovation shone through when he became the District Produce Coordinator in 2010 and then a Produce Subject Matter Expert at the General Office in 2011. By 2019, Todd was leading stores in Houston, and in 2023, he took on a new challenge as Store Leader in Excess at King Soopers. Today, he’s the King Soopers/City Market Division Natural Foods/Local Category Manager, where he blends his passion for fresh products with a flair for creative merchandising. But there’s more to Todd than his impressive career. He’s driven by a calling to help others grow, both professionally and personally. He’s all about those deep, meaningful conversations where everyone walks away with something new. Todd’s curiosity is boundless, he’s got an itch to study quantum physics and a soft spot for Thanos (yes, that Thanos), who could both save and destroy with a snap. When he’s not shaping the future of grocery, Todd’s geeking out on documentaries, diving into self-improvement books, or soaking up stories from strangers that offer fresh perspectives. You might be surprised to know that Todd’s hip-hop collection is the largest in North America—who knew? A self-proclaimed "Inspirational Speaker," Todd aims to inspire and assist others in reaching their goals. Todd is grateful for life and family. Todd loves to inspire others and will always be curious. His advice to his younger self? “Be patient, plan accordingly, and believe.” Todd is a leader who knows that growth and innovation go hand in hand.

Nicole Bernard Dawes is a pioneering entrepreneur with a lifelong mission to prove that organic products can taste just as good as, if not better than, their conventional counterparts. She has built multiple award-winning, nationally distributed brands that have redefined what better-for-you food and beverage can be. Growing up on the counter of her mother's natural food store in the 1970s and the factory floor of her father's company, Cape Cod Potato Chips, Nicole was inspired to create brands that combined the best of both worlds. In 2003, she founded Late July Snacks, one of the first brands to carry the USDA Certified Organic seal. And in 2019, she founded Nixie — the most delicious zero-calorie, zero-sugar beverages on the market. With more than 30 years of product development experience, Nicole launched Nixie to shake up the beverage category with a bold mission: to eliminate sugar, single-use plastic bottles, and toxic forever-chemicals from consumers' favorite beverages - without sacrificing flavor or fun. Nixie quickly became one of the fastest-growing sparkling water brands, leading to its 2024 expansion into organic, zero-sugar sodas in nostalgic, classic flavors that rival mainstream diet sodas. Nixie Organic Zero Sugar Soda and Sparkling Water is sold in over 11,000 retailers nationwide and continues to grow. Nicole's leadership has earned her recognition from Food & Wine and Fortune as one of the "Most Innovative Women in Food and Drink," and from Forbes as one of the "Top Five Women Breaking Barriers in Food and Beverage." In 2007, she testified before Congress in a historic hearing on behalf of the Organic Trade Association. She's also spoken at industry events, including Expo West, NOSH Live, plus the Hirshberg Entrepreneurship Institute.

Nate Cooper is the founder & Managing Partner of Barrel Ventures, a seed-stage venture fund based in Chicago that supports category-defining companies innovating in throughout the food ecosystem. He launched Barrel after founding L3 Hospitality Group and Wise Apple—an early venture aimed at reinventing kids’ lunch. An early investor in companies such as Olipop, Nowadays, Helaina, Jumbotail, Confido & many more, Barrel focuses on companies where they can add a disproportionate amount of value. An Emory University graduate from the Goizueta School of Business, Nate earned his MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management as a Kellogg Scholar and Zell Fellow. At home, he's supported by his wife Ariel and 3 young kiddos Sadie (5), Chase (3), and Maddy (1).

Giuseppe Infusino is a Partner and the Chief Investment Officer at InvestBev, a private equity firm that invests in consumer brands, support services, and hard assets in the beverage space. He leads InvestBev’s investment strategy development, sourcing, diligence, and structuring processes. Prior to InvestBev, Giuseppe spent over a decade managing multiple private market investment portfolios on behalf of prominent institutional investors. He has successfully deployed over $10 billion across various strategies. Giuseppe is on the boards of CANN, Speakeasy, and L’Uva Bella. He holds an MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a B.S. in Finance and Real Estate from University of Wisconsin-Madison.