NOSH Live Winter 2018NOSH Live

WINTER 2018 | NOV 29+30 | SANTA MONICA
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The Venue

A Two-Day Business Conference
For The Natural Food Industry

You are viewing a past event. NOSH Live Winter 2018 took place on November 29th and 30th, 2018 in Santa Monica, CA at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. NOSH Live conferences are two-day business conferences for the natural food industry held twice a year in New York, NY and Santa Monica, CA. Upcoming conference dates can be found at nosh.com/events. Learn more about the NOSH Live conference:



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The Venue

INDUSTRY STARS SPEAK ON LESSONS LEARNED AND THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY

All-Star speakers from established and up-and-coming brands inspire action through topics your business can apply now, like: lessons in growth, branding and marketing, how to raise and use capital, navigating the ever-changing state of retail, harvesting and harnessing customer insights and using data to make decisions. Industry experts drop knowledge on innovation, the investment climate and the future of the industry.



You’re running a business. Our on-stage content is curated for co-founders, CEOs, CMOs, COOS, revenue leaders and decision makers from across your organization.

WINTER 2018 MAINSTAGE SPEAKERS

  • Angie Bastian, Co-founder, Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Angie Bastian

    Co-founder, Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP

    Angie Bastian, Co-founder, Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Angie Bastian

    Co-founder, Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP

    Angie Bastian, entrepreneur, co-founder and namesake of Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP, took a kernel of an idea and popped it into one of the fastest growing brands of natural popcorn. She and husband Dan founded their snack company in their Mankato, MN garage in 2001 as a means of creating a college fund for their children. Their gluten free, non-GMO, whole grain popcorn is proudly sold in natural food, grocery, club and mass retail outlets nationwide with a product presence in Canada, South Korea, Peru, Japan, Taiwan, the Caribbean and Mexico. The company is constantly innovating and is one of the fastest growing and most successful popcorn brands in the market today. Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP is loved by fans as an empowered, spirited brand that represents authentic, real food that delivers on the attributes of clean, transparent labeling and great taste experience. The company has twice won Star Tribune’s Top workplace honors. Angie herself is a recipient of the 2015 ACG BOLD Award for corporate growth and Connect Business Magazine’s 2012 Person of the Year. Girl Scouts honored her as a Pioneering Trailblazer and she is a 2015 Inductee to the Minnesota Women’s Business Owner’s Hall of Fame. She has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Forbes Magazine and appeared on the Martha Stewart Show. Her products have been recognized and awarded by numerous national publications and media. To learn more about Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP, visit boomchickapop.com or visit the Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

  • Miguel Garza, Co-Founder & CEO, Siete Family Foods - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Miguel Garza

    Co-Founder & CEO, Siete Family Foods

    Miguel Garza, Co-Founder & CEO, Siete Family Foods - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Miguel Garza

    Co-Founder & CEO, Siete Family Foods

    Miguel Garza is Co-founder & CEO of Siete Family Foods, a healthy Mexican-American food brand that makes grain-free tortillas and tortilla chips, hot sauces and dairy-free cashew quesos. He holds degrees in business and law from the University of Texas.

  • Alex Trott, Merchandising Client Lead for Natural Foods, 84.51° (Owned by Kroger) - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Alex Trott

    Merchandising Client Lead for Natural Foods, 84.51° (Owned by Kroger)

    Alex Trott, Merchandising Client Lead for Natural Foods, 84.51° (Owned by Kroger) - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Alex Trott

    Merchandising Client Lead for Natural Foods, 84.51° (Owned by Kroger)

    Alex Trott, Senior Client Lead, is responsible for natural foods merchandising. Previously, Ms. Trott worked as Client Lead at 84.51°. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Miami University. 84.51° helps companies create sustainable growth by putting the customer at the center of everything. Using a sophisticated suite of tools and technology, 84.51° works with some of the world's leading CPG manufacturers and partners. With more than 700 talented and fearless associates, 84.51° is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co.

  • Katherine Bousson, Category Manager, Kroger - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Katherine Bousson

    Category Manager, Kroger

    Katherine Bousson, Category Manager, Kroger - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Katherine Bousson

    Category Manager, Kroger

    Katherine Bousson, Category Manager at The Kroger Co., is currently responsible for natural and grocery merchandising for the Isotonic, Ready to Drink Tea and Energy Commodities. She has also worked with a variety of commodities in previous roles, including Bagged Snacks, Baking, Olive Oils, Paper and others. She graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus in Marketing from Xavier University. As one of the world’s largest retailers, Kroger operates 2,769 grocery retail stores under a variety of banner names in 35 different states.

  • Nicole Bernard Dawes, Founder, Late July Snacks - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Nicole Bernard Dawes

    Founder, Late July Snacks

    Nicole Bernard Dawes, Founder, Late July Snacks - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Nicole Bernard Dawes

    Founder, Late July Snacks

    Nicole Bernard Dawes is a pioneering business owner whose lifelong dedication to transforming the food system resulted in her founding Late July Snacks, one of the country’s most successful organic snack brands. Nicole has been named Food & Wine and Fortune Magazine’s ‘Most Innovative Women in Food and Drink’ and Forbes Magazine’s ‘Top Five Women Breaking Barriers in Food and Beverage.’ Furthering her dedication to the industry, Nicole is excited to announce the launch of Nixie Sparkling Water, hitting shelves in 2019.

  • Matt Gase, CEO, Lantana Foods - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Matt Gase

    CEO, Lantana Foods

    Matt Gase, CEO, Lantana Foods - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Matt Gase

    CEO, Lantana Foods

    Matt Gase is CEO of Lantana Foods, the innovation leader in the hummus category. Lantana uses alternative bases like black beans, lentils, edamame and vegetables to create unique flavor combinations. Most recently, Lantana launched Fruit hummus to bring plant-based spreads to breakfast. Prior to joining Lantana, Matt was President and Chief Executive Officer at Stubb’s Legendary Bar-B-Q, the leading premium bar-b-q sauce, marinade and spice rub brand in the U.S. Following four plus years of double-digit growth, Matt led an auction process that resulted in the company being sold to McCormick & Co. Before joining Stubb’s, Matt led Commemorative Brands, a leading scholastic consumer products company based. Prior to Commemorative Brands, Matt was focused on building businesses and brands for CPG companies such as ConAgra Foods, Ralston Purina and Continental Baking. His career has taken him across the US, as well as Southeast Asia and Australia. Matt earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and an M.B.A. from Loyola Marymount University.

  • Bryan Freeman, Chief Executive, Real Good Foods; Managing Partner, Slingshot Consumer Partners - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Bryan Freeman

    Chief Executive, Real Good Foods; Managing Partner, Slingshot Consumer Partners

    Bryan Freeman, Chief Executive, Real Good Foods; Managing Partner, Slingshot Consumer Partners - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Bryan Freeman

    Chief Executive, Real Good Foods; Managing Partner, Slingshot Consumer Partners

    As Chief Executive of Real Good Foods, Bryan has the privilege of working with an exceptional team of food professionals that are helping change how comfort food can be Real Food You Feel Good About Eating. Prior to RGF, Bryan has led 3 other food companies from early stage to strategic acquisition. Bryan has also served as an executive at AdvancePierre Foods prior to it being acquired by Tyson. He is also the Managing Partner of Slingshot Consumer Partners that invests and helps in early stage food companies. Bryan has a JD/MBA in finance from Loyola Law School and Loyola Marymount University. He earned a BA in International Economics from UCLA and lives in La Canada, CA with his wife Teresa and 2 children.

  • Katlin Smith, Founder & CEO, Simple Mills - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Katlin Smith

    Founder & CEO, Simple Mills

    Katlin Smith, Founder & CEO, Simple Mills - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Katlin Smith

    Founder & CEO, Simple Mills

    Katlin Smith is the Founder and CEO of Simple Mills, a Chicago-based company at the forefront of a clean food movement that is shaping the next generation of natural foods. Named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2017, Smith launched Simple Mills in 2013 to provide a cleaner alternative to the natural baking mixes then on the market. Today, despite a crowded market space with long-established competitors, Simple Mills ranks as the #1 fastest-growing natural baking mix and cracker brand. Additionally, Simple Mills ranks as the #1 natural baking mix, the #1 natural cracker, and #2 natural cookie by dollar sales, according to SPINS syndicated data. Simple Mills products are currently distributed in more than 13,000 conventional and natural grocery stores including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Target, Kroger and Safeway as well as through Amazon and Thrive Market. All products are free of gluten, grain, dairy, soy, GMOs, excessive sugar, and artificial flavors and fillers, addressing consumer concerns about food sensitivities and the safety of the food supply chain. The current lineup includes baking mixes, frostings, almond flour crackers, sprouted seed crackers and ready to eat crunchy cookies. Smith is a former Deloitte Consulting management consultant, winner of the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business New Venture Challenge, and a columnist for Inc. magazine.

  • Brian Reed, Principal, Market Structure, IRI - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Brian Reed

    Principal, Market Structure, IRI

    Brian Reed, Principal, Market Structure, IRI - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Brian Reed

    Principal, Market Structure, IRI

    Brian is a category management, shopper and consumer insights professional with over 25 years of experience. He has extensive focus in advanced analytics including modeling and testing and strategic planning with both manufacturers and retailers. Prior to joining IRI, Brian was the Director of Market Research at Furniture Brands International. He also served as the leader for the category planning process for Nestle Purina Pet Care.

  • Kathryn Peters, EVP, Retailer Services, SPINS - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Kathryn Peters

    EVP, Retailer Services, SPINS

    Kathryn Peters, EVP, Retailer Services, SPINS - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Kathryn Peters

    EVP, Retailer Services, SPINS

    Kathryn Peters has served SPINS for 10 years across numerous key areas of the growing business. Her commitment to and passion for retail inspires her work developing and sustaining valuable retail relationships at the foundation of the SPINS ecosystem. Kathryn’s insight into helping retailers succeed with SPINS is informed by her previous vice president roles in merchandising and marketing at Ahold and BI-LO, LLC. as well as years of category management and sales experience with retailers during her time with Ralston Purina.

  • Kara Cissell Roell, Co-Founder & Managing Director, VMG Partners - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Kara Cissell Roell

    Co-Founder & Managing Director, VMG Partners

    Kara Cissell Roell, Co-Founder & Managing Director, VMG Partners - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Kara Cissell Roell

    Co-Founder & Managing Director, VMG Partners

    Kara co-founded VMG Partners in 2005 and focuses on all aspects of the Fund’s investment strategy, sourcing, execution, portfolio company oversight and exit management. Since its inception, VMG has partnered with entrepreneurs and management teams to provide a breadth of value-add resources in the areas of sales, marketing, branding, finance, operations and legal support which enable its partner companies to rapidly increase brand awareness, accelerate growth and build equity value. Kara serves, or has served, on the boards of babyganics, Bare Snacks, Drunk Elephant, Health Warrior, Humm Kombucha, KIND Snacks, Pirate Brands, Pretzel Crisps, Quest Nutrition, Solid Gold Pet, Sun Bum, Waggin’ Train and Vermont Smoke & Cure, among others. Kara has been an investor in emerging, lower-middle-market branded consumer companies for the last 18 years. Prior to her private equity career, Kara was an Analyst at the investment bank of Schroders plc and received her Bachelor of Arts in Economics and German from Colgate University.

  • Leslie Miller, Director of Ice Cream North America, Unilever - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Leslie Miller

    Director of Ice Cream North America, Unilever

    Leslie Miller, Director of Ice Cream North America, Unilever - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Leslie Miller

    Director of Ice Cream North America, Unilever

    Leslie Miller, Director of Ice Cream North America, has spent most of her career at Unilever in brand and general management, sharing happiness through the joys of ice cream and ensuring America has great skincare through her days on Axe and Simple. Currently, Leslie manages the Lean Like a Start-up world in ice cream and the wonders of brands like Magnum and Talenti. She also just launched and developed a new probiotic ice cream brand, Culture Republick. In her current role leading the category, Leslie looks after the digital, e-commerce, partnership and acquisition strategies for the entire category that includes Breyers and Ben & Jerrys. Partnering with R&D, the best in class tech companies and trend specialists, Leslie is building the future of ice cream right here in America. Leslie started her time at Unilever on Klondike, reinventing the classic “What Would You Do for a Klondike Bar?” and driving the brand to double digital growth. She also reinvented Good Humor, bringing back the iconic ice cream truck. Additionally, Leslie experienced the joys of leading Klondike, Magnum, Popsicle and Good Humor product and advertising development, a portfolio of over $600M. Her Unilever experience also includes launching the British sensitive skin brand, Simple, into the NA landscape and keeping young men clean with Axe Personal Wash. Equally passionate about changing the world, Leslie started her career working at the American Cancer Society, raising over $1M for the fight against cancer. She loves mentoring teams and people, running half marathons and her home state of Wisconsin. She clearly loves cheese and the Packers, too.

  • Brandon Ng, Associate, Houlihan Lokey - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Brandon Ng

    Associate, Houlihan Lokey

    Brandon Ng, Associate, Houlihan Lokey - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Brandon Ng

    Associate, Houlihan Lokey

    Mr. Ng is a an Associate in Houlihan Lokey’s Consumer, Food & Retail Group, focused on providing investment banking and M&A advisory services to consumer companies, with a specific focus on the better-for-you food & beverage and active nutrition space. Since joining Houlihan Lokey in 2014, Mr. Ng has worked on a variety of engagements including sell-side M&A transactions, other corporate finance assignments, and fairness opinions, including 15 sell-side M&A transactions in the healthy, active, and sustainable living industry. Additionally, he served in the Air Force for two years and competed on the Singapore National Youth Water Polo Team.

  • Jay Novak, Managing Director, Houlihan Lokey - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Jay Novak

    Managing Director, Houlihan Lokey

    Jay Novak, Managing Director, Houlihan Lokey - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Jay Novak

    Managing Director, Houlihan Lokey

    Mr. Novak is the Global Head of Houlihan Lokey’s Consumer, Food & Retail Group. He focuses most of his time leading transactions in the high-growth segments within Food & Beverage, including the better-for-you and health and wellness brands. He serves on the firm’s Management Committee and leads a group of approximately 60 consumer professionals worldwide. Since joining Houlihan Lokey in 1996, Mr. Novak has led more than 200 corporate finance engagements involving M&A, debt financings, and corporate restructurings. He has handled assignments for food, consumer products, retail, entertainment, and manufacturing companies. Prior to joining Houlihan Lokey, Mr. Novak spent five years in international investment banking, serving highly leveraged middle-market and Fortune 500 multinational corporate clients, primarily in consumer-branded goods. Mr. Novak also spent two years in the investment banking department at Kidder, Peabody & Co., where he specialized in M&A and debt and equity underwriting.

  • Rachel Krupa, Founder, The Goods Mart, Krupa Consulting - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Rachel Krupa

    Founder, The Goods Mart, Krupa Consulting

    Rachel Krupa, Founder, The Goods Mart, Krupa Consulting - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Rachel Krupa

    Founder, The Goods Mart, Krupa Consulting

    Over the last decade Rachel Krupa, founder of boutique PR firm Krupa Consulting, has launched incredible brands and discovered amazing products that share a common ethos – mindful practices, well-created natural foods and products, and a mission to do better. She has launched Thrive Market, Tastemade, Barnana, Brownie Brittle, goop Wellness, Sweetfin Poke, and Maman, also playing an integral role in the growth of Joe & the Juice’s in the U.S., Good Culture cottage cheese, Pukka Tea, MatchaBar, McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream as well as West Coast expansion of Milk Bar and Shake Shack. Her reach has also extended into culinary awareness for revolutionary festivals like Coachella, Arroyo Seco, Eat Drink Vegan, and Panorama. Inspired to inspire others by the restaurants, snack brands, and wellness thought leaders that she’s worked with – all passionate about ingredient quality, ethical sourcing, and consciously created business – in 2018, Rachel opened The Goods Mart, a socially conscious convenience store. The Goods Mart has curated mission driven upgrades to standard store staples that are not only delicious but also better-for-you and the environment. The Goods is a new kind of destination where neighbors get to know each other while grabbing a sustainable coffee for $1.25, a dye-free candy bar, a tasty local artisanal sandwich, chips, or the essentials – eggs, toilet paper, and milk – all the while giving back to local charities. There are two TGM locations: Silver Lake, CA and New York, NY.

  • Alexander Duong, Chief Merchant, The Goods Mart - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Alexander Duong

    Chief Merchant, The Goods Mart

    Alexander Duong, Chief Merchant, The Goods Mart - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Alexander Duong

    Chief Merchant, The Goods Mart

    Alexander Duong is a California native, focused on building sustainable, scale-able supply chains. He started his journey in natural foods at Whole Foods, supporting the Specialty Regional Leadership Team in the Southern Pacific Region. He later joined the founding team of Thrive Market and led the Procurement Team, managing and executing distribution and inbound supply chains. Most recently, he has worked on launching The Goods Mart, a socially conscious convenience store. The Goods Mart has curated mission driven upgrades to standard store staples that are not only delicious but also better-for-you and the environment. The Goods is a new kind of destination where neighbors get to know each other while grabbing a sustainable coffee for $1.25, a dye-free candy bar, a tasty local artisan sandwich, chips, or the essentials – eggs, toilet paper, and milk – all the while giving back to local charities. There are two TGM locations: Silver Lake, CA and New York, NY. He is also launching a brand, Ancient Provisions, seeking to reinvent your pantry using affordable, nutrient dense ingredients, starting with salty snacks, launching in 2019.

  • Michael Silverman, Founder & Managing Director, Samantha Brands Group - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Michael Silverman

    Founder & Managing Director, Samantha Brands Group

    Michael Silverman, Founder & Managing Director, Samantha Brands Group - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Michael Silverman

    Founder & Managing Director, Samantha Brands Group

    Michael Silverman is founder and Managing Director of Samantha Brands Group (“SBG”). SBG is an investor and operator in the CPG space which leverages an experienced centralized management platform and a data driven approach to help scale burgeoning brands. Michael founded SBG in late 2015 after several years of investing in young CPG brands and observing the recurring challenges that so many of them have in common. The SBG management platform includes in-house sales, marketing, operations, financial, and back office support for its portfolio of brands. Michael is passionate about promoting CPG as a financial asset class and exploring differentiated models to better unite operators and investors. Michael grew up in Carmel, California, attended the University of Southern California where he received his BA in Philosophy, and the University of Denver Sturm College of Law where he received his Juris Doctor. He currently resides in Denver, Colorado and is a member of the Colorado Bar. He’s an avid hiker, skier, and Crossfitter in his spare time.

  • Doug Raggio, Founder, Bias & Blind Spots - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Doug Raggio

    Founder, Bias & Blind Spots

  • Carol Ortenberg, Editor, NOSH - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Carol Ortenberg

    Editor, NOSH

    Carol Ortenberg, Editor, NOSH - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Carol Ortenberg

    Editor, NOSH

    Carol is the Editor of NOSH, BevNet’s media property focusing on Natural, Healthy, Sustainable and Organic food products. Carol previously worked and consulted for several consumer goods companies, many within the food space. She also was on the marketing team for Whole Foods Market in the North Atlantic region. Prior to focusing on the food industry, Carol worked at several tech companies, including HubSpot, and served as a consumer researcher at AMP Agency. A graduate of Brandeis University in Journalism, Cultural Anthropology and Theater Arts, Carol is passionate about the food, agriculture and beverage industries.

  • Jeffrey Klineman, Editor-in-Chief, BevNET - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Jeffrey Klineman

    Editor-in-Chief, BevNET

    Jeffrey Klineman, Editor-in-Chief, BevNET - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Jeffrey Klineman

    Editor-in-Chief, BevNET

    As Editor-in-Chief of BevNET, Jeffrey Klineman oversees the organization's reporting across all of its web sites, as well as BevNET Magazine. Jeffrey is also responsible for developing the content for conferences like BevNET Live and Food and Beverage University (FBU). Jeffrey previously worked as a newspaper reporter for the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, the Boston TAB and the Metrowest Daily News, and has freelanced for publications like Slate, Boston Magazine, Self, George, Commonwealth, and the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Jeffrey is a graduate of Yale University and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. A frequently-cited expert on the beverage industry, Jeffrey has also been named in Forbes as one of the 25 Most Influential Kingmakers in Consumer and Retail Companies. He is still trying to live that one down.

BREAKOUT SESSION SPEAKERS

  • John Foraker, Co-Founder & CEO, Once Upon a Farm - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    John Foraker

    Co-Founder & CEO, Once Upon a Farm

    John Foraker, Co-Founder & CEO, Once Upon a Farm - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    John Foraker

    Co-Founder & CEO, Once Upon a Farm

    John is the Co-founder and CEO of Once Upon A Farm, a company with the mission of providing yummy and nutritious “farm-to-family” foods to kids of all ages. Company information can be found at www.onceuponafarmorganics.com Prior to his new start-up, John spent more than 30 years in the natural and organic food industry running businesses with a sharp focus on sustainability and social responsibility. John was the longtime leader of Annie’s, Inc., a leading natural & organic food brand, in the US from 1999 to 2017. As CEO of Annie’s, he took the company public in 2012 under the symbol BNNY before General Mills acquired the business in 2014 for $820 million. For the following three years John ran the Annie’s operating unit and also advised General Mills’ small business incubator 301, Inc. He was recognized as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® 2015 in Northern California. In August 2017, he transitioned into a new role as Chairman of the Bunny, where he continues to work with General Mills to drive leadership in company culture, organic and regenerative agriculture, and strategy support. Foraker received a B.S. in agricultural economics from UC Davis and an MBA from UC Berkeley.

  • Denise Lambertson, Founder & Chief Connector, LMS - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Denise Lambertson

    Founder & Chief Connector, LMS

    Denise Lambertson, Founder & Chief Connector, LMS - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Denise Lambertson

    Founder & Chief Connector, LMS

    Denise Lambertson is founder and Chief Connecter at LMS, a boutique entertainment marketing agency specializing in entertainment and marketing solutions for growth-stage and emerging brands. LMS got its humble start in 2009 with the goal of helping young brands better navigate partnership possibilities and celebrity integrations. Since then, Denise has grown the company to include influencer, micro influencer and affiliate programming, as well as fast-growth social media services. Though a small company itself, LMS does big business. Clients have included industry game-changers like Thrive Market, Daily Harvest, Gilt Groupe, WTRMLN WTR, CORE Hydration and many more. Some of LMS’ marquee partnerships include Sofia Vergara & EBY, Beyoncé & WTRMLN WTR, Serena Williams & Gwyneth Paltrow for Daily Harvest and many more. Before founding LMS, Denise built her career in the entertainment world as Madonna’s (yes, that Madonna) right hand woman for six years, and later a consultant for major companies including Volkswagen and David Yurman. Though she’s played with the majors, Denise has always had a soft spot for the startup and growth-stage community and takes pride in the fact that LMS selectively represents the top industry-disrupting, innovative small brands. Currently, Denise resides in New York with her husband and business partner, Tim, and their bullmastiff, Big Ben.

  • Michael Bush, Managing Partner, GrowthWays Partners, LLC - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Michael Bush

    Managing Partner, GrowthWays Partners, LLC

    Michael Bush, Managing Partner, GrowthWays Partners, LLC - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Michael Bush

    Managing Partner, GrowthWays Partners, LLC

    Michael Bush founded GrowthWays Partners to provide strategic advisory services to investors, management teams and related stakeholders to optimize the enterprise value of companies in the natural products industry. Michael has more than 25 years of experience leading venture-backed businesses in the natural products, healthcare and bioinformatics industries. As president and CEO of probiotic innovator Ganeden, Michael grew the market of the company’s patented ingredient to over 65 countries and more than 1,000 SKUS, culminating with the 2017 merger with Kerry, Inc. Additionally, he founded a national business growth consultancy firm, co-founded a national biomedical services firm and led acquisitions and merger activities for a global medical services company. Bush has received numerous awards for his business leadership, including Crain’s Cleveland Business 40 Most Influential People Under 40, four-time Weatherhead 100 winner as well as multiple innovation awards. Michael is a board member for several for and not-for-profit organizations, including Executive Board President of the International Probiotics Association (IPA). Michael is passionate about the natural products industry and speaks frequently at industry events including BevNet, Natural Products Expo and Supply Side. He holds degrees in Biomedical Technology and Business Administration.

  • Brad Barnhorn, Board Member & Advisor, Barnhorn Growth Advisors - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Brad Barnhorn

    Board Member & Advisor, Barnhorn Growth Advisors

    Brad Barnhorn, Board Member & Advisor, Barnhorn Growth Advisors - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Brad Barnhorn

    Board Member & Advisor, Barnhorn Growth Advisors

    Brad works closely with leading growth-stage food and beverage companies as a board member and strategic advisor. His work leverages 25 years of company-building experience as entrepreneur, CEO, board member and investor, cutting across all strategic and operational dimensions of successful company-building in the food and beverage space. He currently serves on the Board of Fishpeople, Health Warrior, Simple Mills, Rhythm Superfoods, Biena, Rib Rack, and Red’s All Natural. He previously served on the Board of Krave Jerky, Kevita and Chameleon Cold Brew from these companies early stages through their respective exits as category defining brands to Hershey’s, Pepsi and Nestle. Building upon a foundation in management consulting and investment banking, Mr. Barnhorn’s food and beverage journey began twenty years ago as Founder/CEO of the Fantasia Fresh Juice Company which he built into the leading superpremium fresh juice/smoothie company in the Midwestern United States culminating in a merger with Naked Juice to form the leading national brand in the category which was subsequently acquired by Pepsi. He holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

  • Ken Plasse, CEO, Fishpeople - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Ken Plasse

    CEO, Fishpeople

    Ken Plasse, CEO, Fishpeople - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Ken Plasse

    CEO, Fishpeople

    Ken Plasse is CEO of Fishpeople, a certified B-Corporation that makes choosing pure, sustainably-sourced seafood both simple and wildly delicious. Fishpeople is committed to being a steward for the oceans and driving economic development in rural communities, helping to change the seafood industry one bite at a time. All Fishpeople products, including soups and bisques, Seafood Kits, Wild Alaskan Salmon Jerky and Ready, Set Salmon oven roasted salmon slices, are traceable connecting consumers back to the source of their sustainable fish. Prior to Fishpeople, Ken transformed a pioneering biotechnology into a disruptive award-winning microalgae food ingredient at Solazyme (now Corbion). Ken’s background lies deep in marketing, innovation and sales, building premium food and beverage brands at Hershey & EJ Gallo. Prior to finding a home in the natural industry, he travelled the world in a number of management consulting and finance roles. Ken earned an undergraduate degree from University of Maryland at College Park and an M.B.A from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

  • Arnold Ventura, CEO, Beanfields - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Arnold Ventura

    CEO, Beanfields

  • Russell Barnett, CMO, My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Russell Barnett

    CMO, My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream

  • Jen Paragallo, VP of Marketing, Fishpeople - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Jen Paragallo

    VP of Marketing, Fishpeople

    Jen Paragallo, VP of Marketing, Fishpeople - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Jen Paragallo

    VP of Marketing, Fishpeople

    Jen Paragallo is VP of Marketing at Fishpeople Seafood where she leads marketing & product development related activities for the relentlessly transparent seafood company. Jen started her career as a management consultant for Bain & Company in New York, where she worked for Fortune 500 clients on projects ranging from developing overseas outsourcing strategies to driving new product launches. She then moved west to join Method Products as the brand manager of its line of eco-chic cleaning products. During Method’s rapid growth, she developed and commercialized several new product lines and grew the consumer base while lowering product costs. Inspired by Revolution Foods’ mission of increasing access to healthy food for America's children, Jen joined as Business Innovation Director to create new revenue streams. She conceptualized and launched their CPG business and developed multiple product lines across different grocery categories. Jen received her BS in Marketing from Georgetown University and her MBA from The Stanford Graduate School of Business. She lives in Portland, OR with her husband Brad, daughter Maya and their imaginary pug.

  • Sara Haley, Influencer, - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Sara Haley

    Influencer,

    Sara Haley, Influencer, - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Sara Haley

    Influencer,

    Sara Haley is a fitness, motherhood, and lifestyle influencer. She has worked with Reebok, Kohl’s, Skechers, Hint, Dr. Prager’s, Bambo Nature, Blendtec, Pizza Rev, and more. Sara prides herself on being with her three children as much as possible while still continuing to share her passion for fitness and compassion for the challenges of motherhood with her virtual communities on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as her blog at SaraHaley.com. As a pre and postnatal exercise specialist and mother of three, Sara is also the creator of several fitness programs, including the award-winning Expecting More® Pregnancy Program and The 4th Trimester Workout. She will be launching her newest workouts, the Pregnancy Workout Essentials Collection, in just a few weeks.

  • Katie Lee, Influencer, - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Katie Lee

    Influencer,

    Katie Lee, Influencer, - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Katie Lee

    Influencer,

    For Katie Lee, cooking wasn’t just a hobby growing up — it was a way of life. Raised in a modest, tight-knit West Virginia family, each evening centered around the dinner menu. Eager to get involved, Katie began cooking at the tender age of 4 under the guidance of her mentor Grandma Dora. Using fresh vegetables from her grandpa’s garden and meat from the family’s cattle and pig farms, Katie quickly learned the value of seasonal ingredients. Katie’s first cookbook, The Comfort Table, was released in 2008, soon followed by The Comfort Table: Recipes for Everyday Occasions (2009) and Endless Summer Cookbook (2015). In addition to her comfort food cookbooks, she writes a column for SELF and published her first novel, Groundswell, in 2011. Outside of her culinary and literary adventures, Katie sits on the Celebrity Board for Feeding America. When not working or volunteering, she enjoys surfing, traveling and playing with her dog, Gus. She resides in the Hamptons.

BOOT CAMP SPEAKERS

  • Brandon Hernandez, Co-founder & Senior Partner, Whole Brain Consulting - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Brandon Hernandez

    Co-founder & Senior Partner, Whole Brain Consulting

    Brandon Hernandez, Co-founder & Senior Partner, Whole Brain Consulting - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Brandon Hernandez

    Co-founder & Senior Partner, Whole Brain Consulting

    Brandon Hernandez is a high-risk quality and food safety consultant with over 10 years of experience in every aspect of food safety, R&D and sanitation applications. With a B.S. in biology from Colorado State University and experience with Whitewave Foods corporate headquarters (formerly Zateca Foods), Rodelle/Custom Blending and Claremont Foods, Hernandez brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. His depth of knowledge in the food industry includes: USDA and FDA processing applications, flavor and spice blending, snack and bakery manufacturing, vegetable dehydration processing, fresh-cut produce processing, bottling, harvesting practices, GAPs and frozen recipe meal manufacturing. Along with the food safety aspect of manufacturing, Hernandez has worked on numerous R&D projects. His work includes “from scratch” recipe formulation to cost optimization and process improvement and extensive work in sanitation protocols and practices that include working with chemical representation in optimizing and understanding the necessary sanitation processes and practices.

  • Kelly Criswell, Chief Creative Officer , The GRO Agency  - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Kelly Criswell

    Chief Creative Officer , The GRO Agency

    Kelly Criswell, Chief Creative Officer , The GRO Agency  - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Kelly Criswell

    Chief Creative Officer , The GRO Agency

    Kelly Criswell is a visionary and creative leader, shepherding The GRO Agency as the Chief Creative Officer based in the Los Angeles office. With a fierce love of beverage branding and a 16+ year career in CPG brand development and packaging design, Kelly will relentlessly push brands to the next level for success on shelf. Over her career she has worked with such notable brands as Dunkin’ Donuts, Nestlé, Premier Nutrition, Diageo, and Red Bull. Her latest modus operandi is harnessing her extensive experience in CPG to help entrepreneurs and start-ups launch their brands. Her current passion project is Kabaki Kenyan Purple Tea- she has teamed up with the founder Martin and helped him position, brand, package, and develop go-to-market strategy for a 2018 launch. When she’s not obsessively taking photos in grocery stores (say hi if you see her!) she’s painting or hiking with her two kids.

  • Bob Burke, Founder, Natural Products Consulting Group - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Bob Burke

    Founder, Natural Products Consulting Group

    Bob Burke, Founder, Natural Products Consulting Group - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Bob Burke

    Founder, Natural Products Consulting Group

    As a consultant since 1998, Bob Burke provides assistance in bringing natural, organic and specialty products to market across most classes of trade. This includes work in strategic planning, growth strategies, writing sales, marketing and business plans, budgeting, pricing, building distribution, broker selection and management, organizational development, strategic options, branding and trade spending management. He is also the co-author and co-publisher of the Natural Products Field Manual, Fourth Edition and The Sales Manager's Handbook. Prior to consulting, Bob was with Stonyfield Farm Yogurt for 11 years as Vice President, Sales & Corporate Development and Vice President, Marketing & Sales. He has held marketing positions with Colombo, Inc. and Sperry Top-Sider. He received an MBA from Babson College.

  • Mitch Rubin, Manager, Chobani Incubator - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Mitch Rubin

    Manager, Chobani Incubator

  • Nick McCoy, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Whipstitch Capital - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Nick McCoy

    Co-Founder and Managing Director, Whipstitch Capital

    Nick McCoy, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Whipstitch Capital - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Nick McCoy

    Co-Founder and Managing Director, Whipstitch Capital

    Nick McCoy is a Co-Founder and Managing Director with Whipstitch Capital. In 2001, he co-founded the investment bank Silverwood Partners. In 2009, Mike Burgmaier joined Nick at Silverwood, together they completed nearly forty transactions for clients such as Blake’s All Natural, KeVita, Cherrybrook Kitchen, Spindrift and Otter Creek Brewing Company. In October 2015, they formed Whipstitch.

  • Beril Ancel, Regional Supplier Development Manager, UNFI - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Beril Ancel

    Regional Supplier Development Manager, UNFI

    Beril Ancel, Regional Supplier Development Manager, UNFI - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Beril Ancel

    Regional Supplier Development Manager, UNFI

    Beril Ancel is the Regional Supplier Development Manager at UNFI which is the largest natural and organic food distributor in the nation. In UNFI’s Next department, Beril is responsible for curating category disruptors and breakthrough brands that are headquartered in the Southwest Region. In this position, she mentors emerging suppliers throughout each phase of their unique growth and development challenges. Prior to becoming a Supplier Manager, Beril gained extensive sales experience by working in various positions as a Regional Sales Manager for Independent Stores, West Region Sales Manager for foodservice, and as the Norcal Account Manager for foodservice in her 10 years at UNFI. Previous to UNFI, Beril owned a sales brokerage company where she represented 13 different brands across the West Coast. She was also a national sales manager for Wild Garden Hummus and Artisana Raw and Organic Nut Butters. Beril holds a marketing degree from UC Berkeley and is fluent in French as well as Turkish, her maternal language. She resides in Carlsbad, California with her husband and her one-year old daughter Mila. In her spare time, she loves traveling and trying as many different food dishes as her stomach allows.

  • Danny Rubenstein, Strategic Advisor, - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Danny Rubenstein

    Strategic Advisor,

  • Jeff Stopa, Head of Culinary Innovation, ZoomEssence, Inc. - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Jeff Stopa

    Head of Culinary Innovation, ZoomEssence, Inc.

  • Jen Pletscher, Regional Supplier Development Manager, UNFI - NOSH Live Winter 2018

    Jen Pletscher

    Regional Supplier Development Manager, UNFI

WINTER 2018 AGENDA

Please note: All times US Pacific Time

  • 12:00 PM
    -
    12:30 PM
    Boot Camp Registration & Networking

    Location: Venice Room @ Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel (1700 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, CA 90401)

    Boot Camp is half-day seminar covering the basics of operating and growing a company in the natural or organic food business.

    **SEPARATE REGISTRATION REQUIRED**

  • 12:30 PM
    -
    12:40 PM
    Welcome & Introduction
  • 12:40 PM
    -
    1:00 PM
    Building a Scalable Recipe
    • Jeff Stopa
      Head of Culinary Innovation, ZoomEssence, Inc.
    • Jeff Stopa, Head of Culinary Innovation, ZoomEssence, Inc.
  • 1:00 PM
    -
    1:25 PM
    Packaging Design
    • Kelly Criswell
      Chief Creative Officer , The GRO Agency
      Kelly Criswell, Chief Creative Officer , The GRO Agency  -

      Kelly Criswell

      Chief Creative Officer , The GRO Agency

      Kelly Criswell is a visionary and creative leader, shepherding The GRO Agency as the Chief Creative Officer based in the Los Angeles office. With a fierce love of beverage branding and a 16+ year career in CPG brand development and packaging design, Kelly will relentlessly push brands to the next level for success on shelf. Over her career she has worked with such notable brands as Dunkin’ Donuts, Nestlé, Premier Nutrition, Diageo, and Red Bull. Her latest modus operandi is harnessing her extensive experience in CPG to help entrepreneurs and start-ups launch their brands. Her current passion project is Kabaki Kenyan Purple Tea- she has teamed up with the founder Martin and helped him position, brand, package, and develop go-to-market strategy for a 2018 launch. When she’s not obsessively taking photos in grocery stores (say hi if you see her!) she’s painting or hiking with her two kids.

    • Kelly Criswell, Chief Creative Officer , The GRO Agency
  • 1:25 PM
    -
    1:50 PM
    Managing Co-Packers
    • Brandon Hernandez
      Co-founder & Senior Partner, Whole Brain Consulting
      Brandon Hernandez, Co-founder & Senior Partner, Whole Brain Consulting -

      Brandon Hernandez

      Co-founder & Senior Partner, Whole Brain Consulting

      Brandon Hernandez is a high-risk quality and food safety consultant with over 10 years of experience in every aspect of food safety, R&D and sanitation applications. With a B.S. in biology from Colorado State University and experience with Whitewave Foods corporate headquarters (formerly Zateca Foods), Rodelle/Custom Blending and Claremont Foods, Hernandez brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. His depth of knowledge in the food industry includes: USDA and FDA processing applications, flavor and spice blending, snack and bakery manufacturing, vegetable dehydration processing, fresh-cut produce processing, bottling, harvesting practices, GAPs and frozen recipe meal manufacturing. Along with the food safety aspect of manufacturing, Hernandez has worked on numerous R&D projects. His work includes “from scratch” recipe formulation to cost optimization and process improvement and extensive work in sanitation protocols and practices that include working with chemical representation in optimizing and understanding the necessary sanitation processes and practices.

    • Brandon Hernandez, Co-founder & Senior Partner, Whole Brain Consulting
  • 1:50 PM
    -
    2:15 PM
    Building Your Price
    • Bob Burke
      Founder, Natural Products Consulting Group
      Bob Burke, Founder, Natural Products Consulting Group -

      Bob Burke

      Founder, Natural Products Consulting Group

      As a consultant since 1998, Bob Burke provides assistance in bringing natural, organic and specialty products to market across most classes of trade. This includes work in strategic planning, growth strategies, writing sales, marketing and business plans, budgeting, pricing, building distribution, broker selection and management, organizational development, strategic options, branding and trade spending management. He is also the co-author and co-publisher of the Natural Products Field Manual, Fourth Edition and The Sales Manager's Handbook. Prior to consulting, Bob was with Stonyfield Farm Yogurt for 11 years as Vice President, Sales & Corporate Development and Vice President, Marketing & Sales. He has held marketing positions with Colombo, Inc. and Sperry Top-Sider. He received an MBA from Babson College.

    • Bob Burke, Founder, Natural Products Consulting Group
  • 2:15 PM
    -
    2:45 PM
    Networking Break
  • 2:45 PM
    -
    3:00 PM
    Understanding Incubators
    • Mitch Rubin
      Manager, Chobani Incubator
    • Mitch Rubin, Manager, Chobani Incubator
  • 3:00 PM
    -
    3:20 PM
    UNFI: Your Primary Route to Market
    • Beril Ancel
      Regional Supplier Development Manager, UNFI
      Beril Ancel, Regional Supplier Development Manager, UNFI -

      Beril Ancel

      Regional Supplier Development Manager, UNFI

      Beril Ancel is the Regional Supplier Development Manager at UNFI which is the largest natural and organic food distributor in the nation. In UNFI’s Next department, Beril is responsible for curating category disruptors and breakthrough brands that are headquartered in the Southwest Region. In this position, she mentors emerging suppliers throughout each phase of their unique growth and development challenges. Prior to becoming a Supplier Manager, Beril gained extensive sales experience by working in various positions as a Regional Sales Manager for Independent Stores, West Region Sales Manager for foodservice, and as the Norcal Account Manager for foodservice in her 10 years at UNFI. Previous to UNFI, Beril owned a sales brokerage company where she represented 13 different brands across the West Coast. She was also a national sales manager for Wild Garden Hummus and Artisana Raw and Organic Nut Butters. Beril holds a marketing degree from UC Berkeley and is fluent in French as well as Turkish, her maternal language. She resides in Carlsbad, California with her husband and her one-year old daughter Mila. In her spare time, she loves traveling and trying as many different food dishes as her stomach allows.

    • Jen Pletscher
      Regional Supplier Development Manager, UNFI
    • Beril Ancel, Regional Supplier Development Manager, UNFI
    • Jen Pletscher, Regional Supplier Development Manager, UNFI
  • 3:20 PM
    -
    3:45 PM
    Growth Strategies – Optimizing At Each Stage
    • Danny Rubenstein
      Strategic Advisor,
    • Danny Rubenstein, Strategic Advisor,
  • 3:45 PM
    -
    4:15 PM
    Funding your Growth
    • Nick McCoy
      Co-Founder and Managing Director, Whipstitch Capital
      Nick McCoy, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Whipstitch Capital -

      Nick McCoy

      Co-Founder and Managing Director, Whipstitch Capital

      Nick McCoy is a Co-Founder and Managing Director with Whipstitch Capital. In 2001, he co-founded the investment bank Silverwood Partners. In 2009, Mike Burgmaier joined Nick at Silverwood, together they completed nearly forty transactions for clients such as Blake’s All Natural, KeVita, Cherrybrook Kitchen, Spindrift and Otter Creek Brewing Company. In October 2015, they formed Whipstitch.

    • Nick McCoy, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Whipstitch Capital
  • 4:15 PM
    -
    5:00 PM
    Round Table Q&A

Please note: All times US Pacific Time

  • 8:00 AM
    -
    9:00 AM
    Breakfast, Registration & Networking
    Location: Arcadia Ballroom @ Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel (1700 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, CA 90401)
  • 9:00 AM
    -
    9:10 AM
    Welcome Remarks
    • Carol Ortenberg
      Editor, NOSH
      Carol Ortenberg, Editor, NOSH -

      Carol Ortenberg

      Editor, NOSH

      Carol is the Editor of NOSH, BevNet’s media property focusing on Natural, Healthy, Sustainable and Organic food products. Carol previously worked and consulted for several consumer goods companies, many within the food space. She also was on the marketing team for Whole Foods Market in the North Atlantic region. Prior to focusing on the food industry, Carol worked at several tech companies, including HubSpot, and served as a consumer researcher at AMP Agency. A graduate of Brandeis University in Journalism, Cultural Anthropology and Theater Arts, Carol is passionate about the food, agriculture and beverage industries.

    • Carol Ortenberg, Editor, NOSH
  • 9:10 AM
    -
    9:40 AM
    How Angie’s Put the BOOMCHICKAPOP into their Brand
    • Angie Bastian
      Co-founder, Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP
      Angie Bastian, Co-founder, Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP -

      Angie Bastian

      Co-founder, Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP

      Angie Bastian, entrepreneur, co-founder and namesake of Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP, took a kernel of an idea and popped it into one of the fastest growing brands of natural popcorn. She and husband Dan founded their snack company in their Mankato, MN garage in 2001 as a means of creating a college fund for their children. Their gluten free, non-GMO, whole grain popcorn is proudly sold in natural food, grocery, club and mass retail outlets nationwide with a product presence in Canada, South Korea, Peru, Japan, Taiwan, the Caribbean and Mexico. The company is constantly innovating and is one of the fastest growing and most successful popcorn brands in the market today. Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP is loved by fans as an empowered, spirited brand that represents authentic, real food that delivers on the attributes of clean, transparent labeling and great taste experience. The company has twice won Star Tribune’s Top workplace honors. Angie herself is a recipient of the 2015 ACG BOLD Award for corporate growth and Connect Business Magazine’s 2012 Person of the Year. Girl Scouts honored her as a Pioneering Trailblazer and she is a 2015 Inductee to the Minnesota Women’s Business Owner’s Hall of Fame. She has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Forbes Magazine and appeared on the Martha Stewart Show. Her products have been recognized and awarded by numerous national publications and media. To learn more about Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP, visit boomchickapop.com or visit the Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

    • Angie Bastian, Co-founder, Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP

     Watch Video

  • 9:40 AM
    -
    10:10 AM
    How to Build, When to Sell
    • Jay Novak
      Managing Director, Houlihan Lokey
      Jay Novak, Managing Director, Houlihan Lokey -

      Jay Novak

      Managing Director, Houlihan Lokey

      Mr. Novak is the Global Head of Houlihan Lokey’s Consumer, Food & Retail Group. He focuses most of his time leading transactions in the high-growth segments within Food & Beverage, including the better-for-you and health and wellness brands. He serves on the firm’s Management Committee and leads a group of approximately 60 consumer professionals worldwide. Since joining Houlihan Lokey in 1996, Mr. Novak has led more than 200 corporate finance engagements involving M&A, debt financings, and corporate restructurings. He has handled assignments for food, consumer products, retail, entertainment, and manufacturing companies. Prior to joining Houlihan Lokey, Mr. Novak spent five years in international investment banking, serving highly leveraged middle-market and Fortune 500 multinational corporate clients, primarily in consumer-branded goods. Mr. Novak also spent two years in the investment banking department at Kidder, Peabody & Co., where he specialized in M&A and debt and equity underwriting.

    • Brandon Ng
      Associate, Houlihan Lokey
      Brandon Ng, Associate, Houlihan Lokey -

      Brandon Ng

      Associate, Houlihan Lokey

      Mr. Ng is a an Associate in Houlihan Lokey’s Consumer, Food & Retail Group, focused on providing investment banking and M&A advisory services to consumer companies, with a specific focus on the better-for-you food & beverage and active nutrition space. Since joining Houlihan Lokey in 2014, Mr. Ng has worked on a variety of engagements including sell-side M&A transactions, other corporate finance assignments, and fairness opinions, including 15 sell-side M&A transactions in the healthy, active, and sustainable living industry. Additionally, he served in the Air Force for two years and competed on the Singapore National Youth Water Polo Team.

    • Jay Novak, Managing Director, Houlihan Lokey
    • Brandon Ng, Associate, Houlihan Lokey

     Watch Video

  • 10:10 AM
    -
    10:30 AM
    Family Business: How Heritage Helped Build Siete
    • Miguel Garza
      Co-Founder & CEO, Siete Family Foods
      Miguel Garza, Co-Founder & CEO, Siete Family Foods -

      Miguel Garza

      Co-Founder & CEO, Siete Family Foods

      Miguel Garza is Co-founder & CEO of Siete Family Foods, a healthy Mexican-American food brand that makes grain-free tortillas and tortilla chips, hot sauces and dairy-free cashew quesos. He holds degrees in business and law from the University of Texas.

    • Miguel Garza, Co-Founder & CEO, Siete Family Foods

     Watch Video

  • 10:30 AM
    -
    11:15 AM
    Networking Break & Livestream Studio
  • 11:15 AM
    -
    11:40 AM
    Extended Shelf Life: Kroger’s Plan for Natural and Emerging Brands
    • Alex Trott
      Merchandising Client Lead for Natural Foods, 84.51° (Owned by Kroger)
      Alex Trott, Merchandising Client Lead for Natural Foods, 84.51° (Owned by Kroger) -

      Alex Trott

      Merchandising Client Lead for Natural Foods, 84.51° (Owned by Kroger)

      Alex Trott, Senior Client Lead, is responsible for natural foods merchandising. Previously, Ms. Trott worked as Client Lead at 84.51°. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Miami University. 84.51° helps companies create sustainable growth by putting the customer at the center of everything. Using a sophisticated suite of tools and technology, 84.51° works with some of the world's leading CPG manufacturers and partners. With more than 700 talented and fearless associates, 84.51° is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co.

    • Katherine Bousson
      Category Manager, Kroger
      Katherine Bousson, Category Manager, Kroger -

      Katherine Bousson

      Category Manager, Kroger

      Katherine Bousson, Category Manager at The Kroger Co., is currently responsible for natural and grocery merchandising for the Isotonic, Ready to Drink Tea and Energy Commodities. She has also worked with a variety of commodities in previous roles, including Bagged Snacks, Baking, Olive Oils, Paper and others. She graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus in Marketing from Xavier University. As one of the world’s largest retailers, Kroger operates 2,769 grocery retail stores under a variety of banner names in 35 different states.

    • Alex Trott, Merchandising Client Lead for Natural Foods, 84.51° (Owned by Kroger)
    • Katherine Bousson, Category Manager, Kroger

     Watch Video

  • 11:40 AM
    -
    12:05 PM
    Investor Profile: Inside VMG
    • Kara Cissell Roell
      Co-Founder & Managing Director, VMG Partners
      Kara Cissell Roell, Co-Founder & Managing Director, VMG Partners -

      Kara Cissell Roell

      Co-Founder & Managing Director, VMG Partners

      Kara co-founded VMG Partners in 2005 and focuses on all aspects of the Fund’s investment strategy, sourcing, execution, portfolio company oversight and exit management. Since its inception, VMG has partnered with entrepreneurs and management teams to provide a breadth of value-add resources in the areas of sales, marketing, branding, finance, operations and legal support which enable its partner companies to rapidly increase brand awareness, accelerate growth and build equity value. Kara serves, or has served, on the boards of babyganics, Bare Snacks, Drunk Elephant, Health Warrior, Humm Kombucha, KIND Snacks, Pirate Brands, Pretzel Crisps, Quest Nutrition, Solid Gold Pet, Sun Bum, Waggin’ Train and Vermont Smoke & Cure, among others. Kara has been an investor in emerging, lower-middle-market branded consumer companies for the last 18 years. Prior to her private equity career, Kara was an Analyst at the investment bank of Schroders plc and received her Bachelor of Arts in Economics and German from Colgate University.

    • Kara Cissell Roell, Co-Founder & Managing Director, VMG Partners

     Watch Video

  • 12:05 PM
    -
    12:30 PM
    Disrupting the Big Company Playbook
    • Matt Gase
      CEO, Lantana Foods
      Matt Gase, CEO, Lantana Foods -

      Matt Gase

      CEO, Lantana Foods

      Matt Gase is CEO of Lantana Foods, the innovation leader in the hummus category. Lantana uses alternative bases like black beans, lentils, edamame and vegetables to create unique flavor combinations. Most recently, Lantana launched Fruit hummus to bring plant-based spreads to breakfast. Prior to joining Lantana, Matt was President and Chief Executive Officer at Stubb’s Legendary Bar-B-Q, the leading premium bar-b-q sauce, marinade and spice rub brand in the U.S. Following four plus years of double-digit growth, Matt led an auction process that resulted in the company being sold to McCormick & Co. Before joining Stubb’s, Matt led Commemorative Brands, a leading scholastic consumer products company based. Prior to Commemorative Brands, Matt was focused on building businesses and brands for CPG companies such as ConAgra Foods, Ralston Purina and Continental Baking. His career has taken him across the US, as well as Southeast Asia and Australia. Matt earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and an M.B.A. from Loyola Marymount University.

    • Matt Gase, CEO, Lantana Foods

     Watch Video

  • 12:30 PM
    -
    2:00 PM
    Lunch & Livestream Studio
  • 2:00 PM
    -
    2:40 PM
    Breakout Session I: Accelerating Growth Through Influencers
    Location: Venice Room, Lobby Floor, through the Ocean & Vine restaurant
    • Denise Lambertson
      Founder & Chief Connector, LMS
      Denise Lambertson, Founder & Chief Connector, LMS -

      Denise Lambertson

      Founder & Chief Connector, LMS

      Denise Lambertson is founder and Chief Connecter at LMS, a boutique entertainment marketing agency specializing in entertainment and marketing solutions for growth-stage and emerging brands. LMS got its humble start in 2009 with the goal of helping young brands better navigate partnership possibilities and celebrity integrations. Since then, Denise has grown the company to include influencer, micro influencer and affiliate programming, as well as fast-growth social media services. Though a small company itself, LMS does big business. Clients have included industry game-changers like Thrive Market, Daily Harvest, Gilt Groupe, WTRMLN WTR, CORE Hydration and many more. Some of LMS’ marquee partnerships include Sofia Vergara & EBY, Beyoncé & WTRMLN WTR, Serena Williams & Gwyneth Paltrow for Daily Harvest and many more. Before founding LMS, Denise built her career in the entertainment world as Madonna’s (yes, that Madonna) right hand woman for six years, and later a consultant for major companies including Volkswagen and David Yurman. Though she’s played with the majors, Denise has always had a soft spot for the startup and growth-stage community and takes pride in the fact that LMS selectively represents the top industry-disrupting, innovative small brands. Currently, Denise resides in New York with her husband and business partner, Tim, and their bullmastiff, Big Ben.

    • Sara Haley
      Influencer,
      Sara Haley, Influencer, -

      Sara Haley

      Influencer,

      Sara Haley is a fitness, motherhood, and lifestyle influencer. She has worked with Reebok, Kohl’s, Skechers, Hint, Dr. Prager’s, Bambo Nature, Blendtec, Pizza Rev, and more. Sara prides herself on being with her three children as much as possible while still continuing to share her passion for fitness and compassion for the challenges of motherhood with her virtual communities on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as her blog at SaraHaley.com. As a pre and postnatal exercise specialist and mother of three, Sara is also the creator of several fitness programs, including the award-winning Expecting More® Pregnancy Program and The 4th Trimester Workout. She will be launching her newest workouts, the Pregnancy Workout Essentials Collection, in just a few weeks.

    • Katie Lee
      Influencer,
      Katie Lee, Influencer, -

      Katie Lee

      Influencer,

      For Katie Lee, cooking wasn’t just a hobby growing up — it was a way of life. Raised in a modest, tight-knit West Virginia family, each evening centered around the dinner menu. Eager to get involved, Katie began cooking at the tender age of 4 under the guidance of her mentor Grandma Dora. Using fresh vegetables from her grandpa’s garden and meat from the family’s cattle and pig farms, Katie quickly learned the value of seasonal ingredients. Katie’s first cookbook, The Comfort Table, was released in 2008, soon followed by The Comfort Table: Recipes for Everyday Occasions (2009) and Endless Summer Cookbook (2015). In addition to her comfort food cookbooks, she writes a column for SELF and published her first novel, Groundswell, in 2011. Outside of her culinary and literary adventures, Katie sits on the Celebrity Board for Feeding America. When not working or volunteering, she enjoys surfing, traveling and playing with her dog, Gus. She resides in the Hamptons.

    • Denise Lambertson, Founder & Chief Connector, LMS
    • Sara Haley, Influencer,
    • Katie Lee, Influencer,
  • 2:00 PM
    -
    2:40 PM
    Breakout Session I: Prepping for Tougher Times
    Location: Catalina Room, Lobby Floor
    • Brad Barnhorn
      Board Member & Advisor, Barnhorn Growth Advisors
      Brad Barnhorn, Board Member & Advisor, Barnhorn Growth Advisors -

      Brad Barnhorn

      Board Member & Advisor, Barnhorn Growth Advisors

      Brad works closely with leading growth-stage food and beverage companies as a board member and strategic advisor. His work leverages 25 years of company-building experience as entrepreneur, CEO, board member and investor, cutting across all strategic and operational dimensions of successful company-building in the food and beverage space. He currently serves on the Board of Fishpeople, Health Warrior, Simple Mills, Rhythm Superfoods, Biena, Rib Rack, and Red’s All Natural. He previously served on the Board of Krave Jerky, Kevita and Chameleon Cold Brew from these companies early stages through their respective exits as category defining brands to Hershey’s, Pepsi and Nestle. Building upon a foundation in management consulting and investment banking, Mr. Barnhorn’s food and beverage journey began twenty years ago as Founder/CEO of the Fantasia Fresh Juice Company which he built into the leading superpremium fresh juice/smoothie company in the Midwestern United States culminating in a merger with Naked Juice to form the leading national brand in the category which was subsequently acquired by Pepsi. He holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

    • Bob Burke
      Founder, Natural Products Consulting Group
      Bob Burke, Founder, Natural Products Consulting Group -

      Bob Burke

      Founder, Natural Products Consulting Group

      As a consultant since 1998, Bob Burke provides assistance in bringing natural, organic and specialty products to market across most classes of trade. This includes work in strategic planning, growth strategies, writing sales, marketing and business plans, budgeting, pricing, building distribution, broker selection and management, organizational development, strategic options, branding and trade spending management. He is also the co-author and co-publisher of the Natural Products Field Manual, Fourth Edition and The Sales Manager's Handbook. Prior to consulting, Bob was with Stonyfield Farm Yogurt for 11 years as Vice President, Sales & Corporate Development and Vice President, Marketing & Sales. He has held marketing positions with Colombo, Inc. and Sperry Top-Sider. He received an MBA from Babson College.

    • Michael Bush
      Managing Partner, GrowthWays Partners, LLC
      Michael Bush, Managing Partner, GrowthWays Partners, LLC -

      Michael Bush

      Managing Partner, GrowthWays Partners, LLC

      Michael Bush founded GrowthWays Partners to provide strategic advisory services to investors, management teams and related stakeholders to optimize the enterprise value of companies in the natural products industry. Michael has more than 25 years of experience leading venture-backed businesses in the natural products, healthcare and bioinformatics industries. As president and CEO of probiotic innovator Ganeden, Michael grew the market of the company’s patented ingredient to over 65 countries and more than 1,000 SKUS, culminating with the 2017 merger with Kerry, Inc. Additionally, he founded a national business growth consultancy firm, co-founded a national biomedical services firm and led acquisitions and merger activities for a global medical services company. Bush has received numerous awards for his business leadership, including Crain’s Cleveland Business 40 Most Influential People Under 40, four-time Weatherhead 100 winner as well as multiple innovation awards. Michael is a board member for several for and not-for-profit organizations, including Executive Board President of the International Probiotics Association (IPA). Michael is passionate about the natural products industry and speaks frequently at industry events including BevNet, Natural Products Expo and Supply Side. He holds degrees in Biomedical Technology and Business Administration.

    • Brad Barnhorn, Board Member & Advisor, Barnhorn Growth Advisors
    • Bob Burke, Founder, Natural Products Consulting Group
    • Michael Bush, Managing Partner, GrowthWays Partners, LLC
  • 2:40 PM
    -
    2:50 PM
    Networking Break
  • 2:50 PM
    -
    3:30 PM
    Breakout Session II: Using Your Board
    Location: Venice Room, Lobby Floor, through the Ocean & Vine restaurant
    • John Foraker
      Co-Founder & CEO, Once Upon a Farm
      John Foraker, Co-Founder & CEO, Once Upon a Farm -

      John Foraker

      Co-Founder & CEO, Once Upon a Farm

      John is the Co-founder and CEO of Once Upon A Farm, a company with the mission of providing yummy and nutritious “farm-to-family” foods to kids of all ages. Company information can be found at www.onceuponafarmorganics.com Prior to his new start-up, John spent more than 30 years in the natural and organic food industry running businesses with a sharp focus on sustainability and social responsibility. John was the longtime leader of Annie’s, Inc., a leading natural & organic food brand, in the US from 1999 to 2017. As CEO of Annie’s, he took the company public in 2012 under the symbol BNNY before General Mills acquired the business in 2014 for $820 million. For the following three years John ran the Annie’s operating unit and also advised General Mills’ small business incubator 301, Inc. He was recognized as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® 2015 in Northern California. In August 2017, he transitioned into a new role as Chairman of the Bunny, where he continues to work with General Mills to drive leadership in company culture, organic and regenerative agriculture, and strategy support. Foraker received a B.S. in agricultural economics from UC Davis and an MBA from UC Berkeley.

    • Brad Barnhorn
      Board Member & Advisor, Barnhorn Growth Advisors
      Brad Barnhorn, Board Member & Advisor, Barnhorn Growth Advisors -

      Brad Barnhorn

      Board Member & Advisor, Barnhorn Growth Advisors

      Brad works closely with leading growth-stage food and beverage companies as a board member and strategic advisor. His work leverages 25 years of company-building experience as entrepreneur, CEO, board member and investor, cutting across all strategic and operational dimensions of successful company-building in the food and beverage space. He currently serves on the Board of Fishpeople, Health Warrior, Simple Mills, Rhythm Superfoods, Biena, Rib Rack, and Red’s All Natural. He previously served on the Board of Krave Jerky, Kevita and Chameleon Cold Brew from these companies early stages through their respective exits as category defining brands to Hershey’s, Pepsi and Nestle. Building upon a foundation in management consulting and investment banking, Mr. Barnhorn’s food and beverage journey began twenty years ago as Founder/CEO of the Fantasia Fresh Juice Company which he built into the leading superpremium fresh juice/smoothie company in the Midwestern United States culminating in a merger with Naked Juice to form the leading national brand in the category which was subsequently acquired by Pepsi. He holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

    • Ken Plasse
      CEO, Fishpeople
      Ken Plasse, CEO, Fishpeople -

      Ken Plasse

      CEO, Fishpeople

      Ken Plasse is CEO of Fishpeople, a certified B-Corporation that makes choosing pure, sustainably-sourced seafood both simple and wildly delicious. Fishpeople is committed to being a steward for the oceans and driving economic development in rural communities, helping to change the seafood industry one bite at a time. All Fishpeople products, including soups and bisques, Seafood Kits, Wild Alaskan Salmon Jerky and Ready, Set Salmon oven roasted salmon slices, are traceable connecting consumers back to the source of their sustainable fish. Prior to Fishpeople, Ken transformed a pioneering biotechnology into a disruptive award-winning microalgae food ingredient at Solazyme (now Corbion). Ken’s background lies deep in marketing, innovation and sales, building premium food and beverage brands at Hershey & EJ Gallo. Prior to finding a home in the natural industry, he travelled the world in a number of management consulting and finance roles. Ken earned an undergraduate degree from University of Maryland at College Park and an M.B.A from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

    • John Foraker, Co-Founder & CEO, Once Upon a Farm
    • Brad Barnhorn, Board Member & Advisor, Barnhorn Growth Advisors
    • Ken Plasse, CEO, Fishpeople
  • 2:50 PM
    -
    3:30 PM
    Breakout Session II: Prioritizing Marketing Dollars Beyond Startup
    Location: Catalina Room, Lobby Floor
    • Arnold Ventura
      CEO, Beanfields
    • Russell Barnett
      CMO, My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream
    • Jen Paragallo
      VP of Marketing, Fishpeople
      Jen Paragallo, VP of Marketing, Fishpeople -

      Jen Paragallo

      VP of Marketing, Fishpeople

      Jen Paragallo is VP of Marketing at Fishpeople Seafood where she leads marketing & product development related activities for the relentlessly transparent seafood company. Jen started her career as a management consultant for Bain & Company in New York, where she worked for Fortune 500 clients on projects ranging from developing overseas outsourcing strategies to driving new product launches. She then moved west to join Method Products as the brand manager of its line of eco-chic cleaning products. During Method’s rapid growth, she developed and commercialized several new product lines and grew the consumer base while lowering product costs. Inspired by Revolution Foods’ mission of increasing access to healthy food for America's children, Jen joined as Business Innovation Director to create new revenue streams. She conceptualized and launched their CPG business and developed multiple product lines across different grocery categories. Jen received her BS in Marketing from Georgetown University and her MBA from The Stanford Graduate School of Business. She lives in Portland, OR with her husband Brad, daughter Maya and their imaginary pug.

    • Arnold Ventura, CEO, Beanfields
    • Russell Barnett, CMO, My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream
    • Jen Paragallo, VP of Marketing, Fishpeople
  • 3:30 PM
    -
    5:30 PM
  • 6:00 PM
    -
    8:00 PM
    NOSH Afterparty Powered by ForceBrands

    Location: Jimmy's Famous American Tavern @ 1733 Ocean Ave Santa Monica, CA 90401

    All registered NOSH Live Winter 2018 attendees are invited to attend. A conference badge and valid ID are required for admittance.

Please note: All times US Pacific Time

  • 8:00 AM
    -
    9:00 AM
    Breakfast, Registration & Networking
    Location: Arcadia Ballroom @ Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel (1700 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, CA 90401)
  • 9:00 AM
    -
    9:30 AM
    The Breakout: Natural and Organic in the Main Line
    • Kathryn Peters
      EVP, Retailer Services, SPINS
      Kathryn Peters, EVP, Retailer Services, SPINS -

      Kathryn Peters

      EVP, Retailer Services, SPINS

      Kathryn Peters has served SPINS for 10 years across numerous key areas of the growing business. Her commitment to and passion for retail inspires her work developing and sustaining valuable retail relationships at the foundation of the SPINS ecosystem. Kathryn’s insight into helping retailers succeed with SPINS is informed by her previous vice president roles in merchandising and marketing at Ahold and BI-LO, LLC. as well as years of category management and sales experience with retailers during her time with Ralston Purina.

    • Brian Reed
      Principal, Market Structure, IRI
      Brian Reed, Principal, Market Structure, IRI -

      Brian Reed

      Principal, Market Structure, IRI

      Brian is a category management, shopper and consumer insights professional with over 25 years of experience. He has extensive focus in advanced analytics including modeling and testing and strategic planning with both manufacturers and retailers. Prior to joining IRI, Brian was the Director of Market Research at Furniture Brands International. He also served as the leader for the category planning process for Nestle Purina Pet Care.

    • Kathryn Peters, EVP, Retailer Services, SPINS
    • Brian Reed, Principal, Market Structure, IRI

     Watch Video

  • 9:30 AM
    -
    10:00 AM
    Culture, Leadership, and Brand: Learning from Growth
    • Katlin Smith
      Founder & CEO, Simple Mills
      Katlin Smith, Founder & CEO, Simple Mills -

      Katlin Smith

      Founder & CEO, Simple Mills

      Katlin Smith is the Founder and CEO of Simple Mills, a Chicago-based company at the forefront of a clean food movement that is shaping the next generation of natural foods. Named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2017, Smith launched Simple Mills in 2013 to provide a cleaner alternative to the natural baking mixes then on the market. Today, despite a crowded market space with long-established competitors, Simple Mills ranks as the #1 fastest-growing natural baking mix and cracker brand. Additionally, Simple Mills ranks as the #1 natural baking mix, the #1 natural cracker, and #2 natural cookie by dollar sales, according to SPINS syndicated data. Simple Mills products are currently distributed in more than 13,000 conventional and natural grocery stores including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Target, Kroger and Safeway as well as through Amazon and Thrive Market. All products are free of gluten, grain, dairy, soy, GMOs, excessive sugar, and artificial flavors and fillers, addressing consumer concerns about food sensitivities and the safety of the food supply chain. The current lineup includes baking mixes, frostings, almond flour crackers, sprouted seed crackers and ready to eat crunchy cookies. Smith is a former Deloitte Consulting management consultant, winner of the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business New Venture Challenge, and a columnist for Inc. magazine.

    • Katlin Smith, Founder & CEO, Simple Mills

     Watch Video

  • 10:00 AM
    -
    10:30 AM
    Picky and Pushy: The New Model of Sales and Marketing
    • Bryan Freeman
      Chief Executive, Real Good Foods; Managing Partner, Slingshot Consumer Partners
      Bryan Freeman, Chief Executive, Real Good Foods; Managing Partner, Slingshot Consumer Partners -

      Bryan Freeman

      Chief Executive, Real Good Foods; Managing Partner, Slingshot Consumer Partners

      As Chief Executive of Real Good Foods, Bryan has the privilege of working with an exceptional team of food professionals that are helping change how comfort food can be Real Food You Feel Good About Eating. Prior to RGF, Bryan has led 3 other food companies from early stage to strategic acquisition. Bryan has also served as an executive at AdvancePierre Foods prior to it being acquired by Tyson. He is also the Managing Partner of Slingshot Consumer Partners that invests and helps in early stage food companies. Bryan has a JD/MBA in finance from Loyola Law School and Loyola Marymount University. He earned a BA in International Economics from UCLA and lives in La Canada, CA with his wife Teresa and 2 children.

    • Bryan Freeman, Chief Executive, Real Good Foods; Managing Partner, Slingshot Consumer Partners

     Watch Video

  • 10:30 AM
    -
    11:00 AM
    Networking Break & Livestream Studio
  • 11:00 AM
    -
    11:30 AM
    The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Lessons from Late July
    • Nicole Bernard Dawes
      Founder, Late July Snacks
      Nicole Bernard Dawes, Founder, Late July Snacks -

      Nicole Bernard Dawes

      Founder, Late July Snacks

      Nicole Bernard Dawes is a pioneering business owner whose lifelong dedication to transforming the food system resulted in her founding Late July Snacks, one of the country’s most successful organic snack brands. Nicole has been named Food & Wine and Fortune Magazine’s ‘Most Innovative Women in Food and Drink’ and Forbes Magazine’s ‘Top Five Women Breaking Barriers in Food and Beverage.’ Furthering her dedication to the industry, Nicole is excited to announce the launch of Nixie Sparkling Water, hitting shelves in 2019.

    • Nicole Bernard Dawes, Founder, Late July Snacks

     Watch Video

  • 11:30 AM
    -
    12:00 PM
    Brand New Bag: Stocking The Goods Mart
    • Rachel Krupa
      Founder, The Goods Mart, Krupa Consulting
      Rachel Krupa, Founder, The Goods Mart, Krupa Consulting -

      Rachel Krupa

      Founder, The Goods Mart, Krupa Consulting

      Over the last decade Rachel Krupa, founder of boutique PR firm Krupa Consulting, has launched incredible brands and discovered amazing products that share a common ethos – mindful practices, well-created natural foods and products, and a mission to do better. She has launched Thrive Market, Tastemade, Barnana, Brownie Brittle, goop Wellness, Sweetfin Poke, and Maman, also playing an integral role in the growth of Joe & the Juice’s in the U.S., Good Culture cottage cheese, Pukka Tea, MatchaBar, McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream as well as West Coast expansion of Milk Bar and Shake Shack. Her reach has also extended into culinary awareness for revolutionary festivals like Coachella, Arroyo Seco, Eat Drink Vegan, and Panorama. Inspired to inspire others by the restaurants, snack brands, and wellness thought leaders that she’s worked with – all passionate about ingredient quality, ethical sourcing, and consciously created business – in 2018, Rachel opened The Goods Mart, a socially conscious convenience store. The Goods Mart has curated mission driven upgrades to standard store staples that are not only delicious but also better-for-you and the environment. The Goods is a new kind of destination where neighbors get to know each other while grabbing a sustainable coffee for $1.25, a dye-free candy bar, a tasty local artisanal sandwich, chips, or the essentials – eggs, toilet paper, and milk – all the while giving back to local charities. There are two TGM locations: Silver Lake, CA and New York, NY.

    • Alexander Duong
      Chief Merchant, The Goods Mart
      Alexander Duong, Chief Merchant, The Goods Mart -

      Alexander Duong

      Chief Merchant, The Goods Mart

      Alexander Duong is a California native, focused on building sustainable, scale-able supply chains. He started his journey in natural foods at Whole Foods, supporting the Specialty Regional Leadership Team in the Southern Pacific Region. He later joined the founding team of Thrive Market and led the Procurement Team, managing and executing distribution and inbound supply chains. Most recently, he has worked on launching The Goods Mart, a socially conscious convenience store. The Goods Mart has curated mission driven upgrades to standard store staples that are not only delicious but also better-for-you and the environment. The Goods is a new kind of destination where neighbors get to know each other while grabbing a sustainable coffee for $1.25, a dye-free candy bar, a tasty local artisan sandwich, chips, or the essentials – eggs, toilet paper, and milk – all the while giving back to local charities. There are two TGM locations: Silver Lake, CA and New York, NY. He is also launching a brand, Ancient Provisions, seeking to reinvent your pantry using affordable, nutrient dense ingredients, starting with salty snacks, launching in 2019.

    • Rachel Krupa, Founder, The Goods Mart, Krupa Consulting
    • Alexander Duong, Chief Merchant, The Goods Mart

     Watch Video

  • 12:00 PM
    -
    12:30 PM
    Category Strategy from Inside Unilever
    • Leslie Miller
      Director of Ice Cream North America, Unilever
      Leslie Miller, Director of Ice Cream North America, Unilever -

      Leslie Miller

      Director of Ice Cream North America, Unilever

      Leslie Miller, Director of Ice Cream North America, has spent most of her career at Unilever in brand and general management, sharing happiness through the joys of ice cream and ensuring America has great skincare through her days on Axe and Simple. Currently, Leslie manages the Lean Like a Start-up world in ice cream and the wonders of brands like Magnum and Talenti. She also just launched and developed a new probiotic ice cream brand, Culture Republick. In her current role leading the category, Leslie looks after the digital, e-commerce, partnership and acquisition strategies for the entire category that includes Breyers and Ben & Jerrys. Partnering with R&D, the best in class tech companies and trend specialists, Leslie is building the future of ice cream right here in America. Leslie started her time at Unilever on Klondike, reinventing the classic “What Would You Do for a Klondike Bar?” and driving the brand to double digital growth. She also reinvented Good Humor, bringing back the iconic ice cream truck. Additionally, Leslie experienced the joys of leading Klondike, Magnum, Popsicle and Good Humor product and advertising development, a portfolio of over $600M. Her Unilever experience also includes launching the British sensitive skin brand, Simple, into the NA landscape and keeping young men clean with Axe Personal Wash. Equally passionate about changing the world, Leslie started her career working at the American Cancer Society, raising over $1M for the fight against cancer. She loves mentoring teams and people, running half marathons and her home state of Wisconsin. She clearly loves cheese and the Packers, too.

    • Leslie Miller, Director of Ice Cream North America, Unilever

     Watch Video

  • 12:30 PM
    -
    1:30 PM
    Lunch & Livestream Studio
  • 1:30 PM
    -
    2:15 PM
    NOSH Live Pitch Slam Volume 5
    • Angie Bastian
      Co-founder, Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP
      Angie Bastian, Co-founder, Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP -

      Angie Bastian

      Co-founder, Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP

      Angie Bastian, entrepreneur, co-founder and namesake of Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP, took a kernel of an idea and popped it into one of the fastest growing brands of natural popcorn. She and husband Dan founded their snack company in their Mankato, MN garage in 2001 as a means of creating a college fund for their children. Their gluten free, non-GMO, whole grain popcorn is proudly sold in natural food, grocery, club and mass retail outlets nationwide with a product presence in Canada, South Korea, Peru, Japan, Taiwan, the Caribbean and Mexico. The company is constantly innovating and is one of the fastest growing and most successful popcorn brands in the market today. Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP is loved by fans as an empowered, spirited brand that represents authentic, real food that delivers on the attributes of clean, transparent labeling and great taste experience. The company has twice won Star Tribune’s Top workplace honors. Angie herself is a recipient of the 2015 ACG BOLD Award for corporate growth and Connect Business Magazine’s 2012 Person of the Year. Girl Scouts honored her as a Pioneering Trailblazer and she is a 2015 Inductee to the Minnesota Women’s Business Owner’s Hall of Fame. She has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Forbes Magazine and appeared on the Martha Stewart Show. Her products have been recognized and awarded by numerous national publications and media. To learn more about Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP, visit boomchickapop.com or visit the Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

    • Bryan Freeman
      Chief Executive, Real Good Foods; Managing Partner, Slingshot Consumer Partners
      Bryan Freeman, Chief Executive, Real Good Foods; Managing Partner, Slingshot Consumer Partners -

      Bryan Freeman

      Chief Executive, Real Good Foods; Managing Partner, Slingshot Consumer Partners

      As Chief Executive of Real Good Foods, Bryan has the privilege of working with an exceptional team of food professionals that are helping change how comfort food can be Real Food You Feel Good About Eating. Prior to RGF, Bryan has led 3 other food companies from early stage to strategic acquisition. Bryan has also served as an executive at AdvancePierre Foods prior to it being acquired by Tyson. He is also the Managing Partner of Slingshot Consumer Partners that invests and helps in early stage food companies. Bryan has a JD/MBA in finance from Loyola Law School and Loyola Marymount University. He earned a BA in International Economics from UCLA and lives in La Canada, CA with his wife Teresa and 2 children.

    • Pete Speranza
      Business Development Principal, 301 Inc.
      Pete Speranza, Business Development Principal, 301 Inc. -

      Pete Speranza

      Business Development Principal, 301 Inc.

      Pete Speranza, A native New Yorker, joined General Mills 21 years ago. He spent his first 15 years honing his skills in supply chain/engineering across all the General Mills platforms and temp states while receiving an MBA from the University of Minnesota. From there, He took on a business development role and helped to create and shape the General Mills venture arm called 301INC. He currently leads a lot of the scouting activities and manages the supply chain efforts across the portfolio. Pete also has a lot of passion about helping the local food innovation ecosystem and has founded the food division for the largest state-wide innovation competition in the country called the MN cup. He is also a food innovation thought lead and has spearheaded a vision of creating a national recognized food innovation hub for the state of Minnesota. This effort has cultivated into a local organization called Grow North. A fun fact about Pete is his first career was as a professional ice hockey player which took him around the world.

    • Alexander Duong
      Chief Merchant, The Goods Mart
      Alexander Duong, Chief Merchant, The Goods Mart -

      Alexander Duong

      Chief Merchant, The Goods Mart

      Alexander Duong is a California native, focused on building sustainable, scale-able supply chains. He started his journey in natural foods at Whole Foods, supporting the Specialty Regional Leadership Team in the Southern Pacific Region. He later joined the founding team of Thrive Market and led the Procurement Team, managing and executing distribution and inbound supply chains. Most recently, he has worked on launching The Goods Mart, a socially conscious convenience store. The Goods Mart has curated mission driven upgrades to standard store staples that are not only delicious but also better-for-you and the environment. The Goods is a new kind of destination where neighbors get to know each other while grabbing a sustainable coffee for $1.25, a dye-free candy bar, a tasty local artisan sandwich, chips, or the essentials – eggs, toilet paper, and milk – all the while giving back to local charities. There are two TGM locations: Silver Lake, CA and New York, NY. He is also launching a brand, Ancient Provisions, seeking to reinvent your pantry using affordable, nutrient dense ingredients, starting with salty snacks, launching in 2019.

    • Angie Bastian, Co-founder, Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP
    • Bryan Freeman, Chief Executive, Real Good Foods; Managing Partner, Slingshot Consumer Partners
    • Pete Speranza, Business Development Principal, 301 Inc.
    • Alexander Duong, Chief Merchant, The Goods Mart

     Watch Video

  • 2:15 PM
    -
    2:45 PM
    VC and its Discontents: Alternative Investor Profiles
    • Michael Silverman
      Founder & Managing Director, Samantha Brands Group
      Michael Silverman, Founder & Managing Director, Samantha Brands Group -

      Michael Silverman

      Founder & Managing Director, Samantha Brands Group

      Michael Silverman is founder and Managing Director of Samantha Brands Group (“SBG”). SBG is an investor and operator in the CPG space which leverages an experienced centralized management platform and a data driven approach to help scale burgeoning brands. Michael founded SBG in late 2015 after several years of investing in young CPG brands and observing the recurring challenges that so many of them have in common. The SBG management platform includes in-house sales, marketing, operations, financial, and back office support for its portfolio of brands. Michael is passionate about promoting CPG as a financial asset class and exploring differentiated models to better unite operators and investors. Michael grew up in Carmel, California, attended the University of Southern California where he received his BA in Philosophy, and the University of Denver Sturm College of Law where he received his Juris Doctor. He currently resides in Denver, Colorado and is a member of the Colorado Bar. He’s an avid hiker, skier, and Crossfitter in his spare time.

    • Doug Raggio
      Founder, Bias & Blind Spots
    • Michael Silverman, Founder & Managing Director, Samantha Brands Group
    • Doug Raggio, Founder, Bias & Blind Spots

     Watch Video

  • 2:45 PM
    -
    3:00 PM
    Pitch Slam: Feedback and Winner Announcement

     Watch Video

  • 3:00 PM
    -
    Conference End

IMMERSE YOUR BRAND IN TWO DAYS OF
NAVIGATION, AWARENESS, NETWORKING AND PARTNERSHIP

The natural products space is booming at close to $150 billion dollars annually. Investment is extraordinary with million dollar raises becoming common-place. We just saw ACG announce another $350M fund for rising star brands, while trendy spaces like plant-based meats have seen recent raises of $55M (Beyond Meat) and $14M (Impossible Foods).

The playbook for brands is ever-changing with big shifts in retail and new players entering the traditional and club channels causing brands to ask big questions. And there are as many questions about direct-to-consumer. Come to NOSH Live immerse your brand in 2 days of industry navigation, brand awareness and networking to find partners to help you execute your vision.

VIEW UPCOMING EVENTS

NEW: A DEEP DIVE INTO A HOT EMERGING CATEGORY

The massive interest in -- and approaches to -- the incorporation of Marijuana, Hemp, THC and CBD as functional ingredients in food and beverage brands is shared by new companies and existing brands alike. Nevertheless, there is still much to understand. Food and beverage professionals are invited to navigate an ambiguous cannabis market and explore how it could impact their businesses at the new half-day forum.

Hosted on Saturday, December 1st, the weekend between NOSH Live and BevNET Live, professionals will receive a complimentary ticket to the Forum if registered for both conferences.

Contact Us LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CANNABIS FORUM

The Venue

A DISTINCT FOCUS ON BRAND AWARENESS AND INDUSTRY EXPOSURE

The NOSH Live experience is about the community getting acquainted, learning about what’s next and accelerating. Some brands are just starting and looking for capital and awareness. Others are established and have something to teach. Some brands are in discovery mode, looking for brands to add to an incubator or to spot their next product opportunity. Others want to gain an advantage with their production or marketing. Enter Pitch Slam and the Sampling Experience + Expo.


NOSH LIVE SAMPLING EXPERIENCE & EXPO POWERED BY PINATA

NOSH Live is a show about natural foods and we take the experience of trying natural foods seriously. Our new Sampling Experience + Expo gives brands a chance to be the sampler in a structured networking setting where everyone can try new, hot and trendy single-serve and prepared foods with opportunities to get down to business at our expert roundtables and interact with suppliers and service providers who can help you with growth at scale.

LEARN MORE



PITCH SLAM VOLUME 5: YOUR BRAND CENTER STAGE

We put the hottest new brands in the spotlight in our annual Pitch Slam contest.

Up-and-coming startup brands prepare their best presentation for the NOSH Live main stage. Founders receive instant feedback from a group of expert judges of top retailers, brands, investors, designers, the NOSH community and the world via our livestream. The winner achieves the distinction of being champion along with a digital industry awareness package on NOSH that will give them more valuable exposure to the broader community.

LEARN MORE

 

The Venue

COLLABORATE, OPEN DOORS, PLUG-IN

The vibe of NOSH Live is highly collaborative. The event attracts a group of decision makers, including founders and CEOS from established and new brands who are ready to learn, innovate and grow, along with top experts from investment, retail, supply, distribution and services.

If you want to walk up to your favorite investor to have a conversation, you will have time. If you want to sit with thought leaders to discuss opportunities that have been puzzling you or that you are ready to kick off, the opportunity is there to seize.

The NOSH and BevNET edit teams and staff will be there to help you make connections and talk about coverage.

VIEW UPCOMING EVENTS

BOOT CAMP IS VITAL FOR INDUSTRY NAVIGATION

Experts making an industry change and fresh faces alike find that an industry primer ahead of the main event is a great gut check for newbies to the massive natural products space. Learn how to choose the right investor and capitalize your business. Get tips on designing your package. Learn the ins and outs of legal and accounting. Hear story-telling and buzz creation advice from experts in marketing and public relations.  Sit down with the pros after the presentations to ask your own specific questions in an environment paced for learning and discussion.  

Contact Us LEARN MORE ABOUT BOOT CAMP

The Venue

THESE COMPANIES SENT DECISION MAKERS TO NOSH LIVE

ACGVMG
301 INC
Circle UpBarnana

Contact Us SEE THE LIST OF REGISTERED ATTENDEES

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Venue

REGISTER TO ATTEND AN UPCOMING EVENT

NOSH Live brings the natural food community together twice a year for two days of business discussions and collaboration. Join your peers in New York, NY and Santa Monica, CA.

Contact Us VIEW UPCOMING EVENTS