FOOD TECH + FOOD INNOVATION + CULINARY R&D + PRODUCT & DISTRIBUTION

Linsey Herman has worked in innovation and new product development with both large and small food companies. Focusing on idea-to-shelf product development in the organic, natural, and free-from product space, she has helped create and commercialize over 300 new products in retail and food service. For the last ten years, she has worked mainly for food startups, entrepreneurs, and emerging food companies as a consultant and product developer. Linsey is currently the Vice President of Product Development at Factory LLC, a food business accelerator. In addition to a degree in culinary arts and certification as a research chef, Linsey has a BA from Harvard University and an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management.

WEARABLE TECH & INNOVATION + MEDTECH + INDUSTRIALS + COMMERCIALIZATION

Nora Levinson is an experienced startup entrepreneur and engineer with a track record of building and commercializing complex IoT products at high volume. In addition to her engineering and product skillset, Nora has built deep experience in most aspects of startup operations, from fundraising through driving growth. Nora studied Mechanical Engineering and Product Design at Stanford before moving to China to embark on a career in product development and manufacturing for large consumer brands. Eventually she made the leap to co-found her first startup, ADOPTED. She grew and scaled ADOPTED before co-founding her second company, Caeden. She is now focused on applying her skills and experience in the medical and industrial fields.

LEGAL TECH & INNOVATION + CORPORATE STRATEGY + VENTURE FORMATION & EXIT

A lawyer by training and an innovator by temperament, Ken Obel (Founder, Principal) came to know the needs of growing businesses in the most direct way possible: by starting one. After a thrilling and challenging ride, Ken exited his highly-regarded enterprise and went on to advise several technology companies in both the business and legal issues they faced. Ken founded goodcounsel in 2010 to provide top-notch legal services tailored to early-stage business objectives. A graduate of Yale Law School, Ken began his career with a federal district court clerkship, followed by stints at top-tier law firms in New York and Chicago. He delights in creating things that didn’t exist before.

CLIMATE TECH + SUSTAINABLE FINANCE + ESG STRATEGY + CLIMATE INNOVATION

Chad is vice president of strategic initiatives and ESG at Hannon Armstrong (NYSE: HASI), a leading investor in climate change solutions with nearly $10 billion in climate positive managed assets. In addition, Chad leads the Hannon Armstrong Foundation and co-hosts the Climate Positive Podcast. Previously, he served in various roles, including structured finance, risk management, ESG, and investor relations with an affiliate of Brookfield Asset Management. Chad holds degrees from the University of California at Berkeley and the Johns Hopkins University.

CONSUMER + B2C + LIFESTYLE BRANDS + LUXURY GOODS + CONSUMER TECH + MERCHANDISING

Sumeet has over 14 years of experience across the startup, venture capital, and private equity industries. Sumeet has expertise in the startup, tech, VC, and PE industries and in areas including business development, operations, strategy, and brand. Sumeet’s experience spans the VC sector in firms like Swiftarc Ventures, Clearco, Brand Foundry Ventures, XRC Labs, Galvanize. Passionate about partnerships, value-based connection, and startup success, Sumeet focuses on consumer focused firms, lifestyle brands, luxury goods, and merchandising for consumer-facing ventures. Sumeet graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and a concentration in Biomechanics.

HUMAN CAPITAL & PEOPLE TECH + PEOPLE OPERATIONS + CONSUMER PRODUCTS + CONSUMER TECH

Jevan Soo Lenox is the Chief People Officer at insitro, a machine learning drug discovery company, and formerly held Chief People Officer roles at Stitch Fix, Minted, and Blue Bottle Coffee. Jevan’s experience sits in building transformative, high-growth, global companies across a variety of industries and making their talent and culture a strategic advantage. He is a professional people person and draws on two decades of operational leadership and consulting experience. Jevan began his career at McKinsey & Company and received his MBA from Harvard Business School, his master’s in public policy from Harvard Kennedy School and a B.A. in East Asian Studies from Harvard College.

CONSUMER BRANDS & PRODUCTS + GO-TO-MARKET STRATEGY + MERCHANDISING STRATEGY + GLOBAL SOURCING

Ian is an executive leader with over 20-years of experience working with diverse global brands, CEOs, private equity partners and emerging companies to grow brands, engage with consumers and optimize operations. Focused on aligning business objectives with strategy, bringing a keen consumer perspective, a strong financial framework and a track record of building award winning brands and products for both US and international companies. Ian has worked with top consumer brands, elite athletes and fashion designers, including Patagonia, adidas, Five Ten, Salomon, Francois Girbaud, Jeff Roberts International, Chaco, Cloudveil, Evolv, Intel, ROKA, FILA, and more.