Leading the creation of a globally inspired food platform focused on dips, dressings, and sauces. At Zest Stone Ventures, we identify, acquire, and scale high-potential food and beverage businesses, leveraging decades of industry expertise. Our first acquisition is underway, laying the foundation for a broader roll-up strategy targeting $250M+ in annual sales. We prioritize market leadership, innovative product development, and strategic expansion to deliver exceptional value to our investors and partners.

Driving innovation across the food, beverage, supplements, and health & wellness sectors. At ATX Studio Works, we empower emerging CPG businesses through tailored consulting, resource sharing via the Startup Field Guide, and strategic platform roll-ups. By identifying high-potential companies and securing growth funding, we help brands scale profitably while fostering industry-wide transformation.

As a Mentor at SKU, I support emerging brands who have gone through SKU tracks. I leverage my extensive industry experience to guide startups, providing them with the tools and connections necessary to accelerate their growth and achieve market success.

As the Investor Development Director at SKU, I managed an investment portfolio of 130 startups and coached 35 founders. I organized high-impact panels on fundraising, expanded our network of CPG investors, and created the SKU Insider monthly investor newsletter, fostering a robust investor community.

As a Partner and Fast Pitch Coach at Social Justice Partners Los Angeles, I mentor community leaders participating in the annual Fast Pitch competition. This 10-week program enhances communication skills for early-stage nonprofit initiatives, empowering them to create lasting social change in Greater Los Angeles. I guide participants in effectively telling their stories and connecting with key leaders in the business, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors.

At RECOVER 180°, I led the company through its critical establishment phase as COO. I expanded distribution coverage, built a strong network of partners, and recruited a cross-functional team of industry experts. My leadership drove significant sales growth and successful funding rounds, positioning the brand for national success.

As the Co-Founder and CEO of Wild Poppy, I built a beloved beverage brand from the ground up. I achieved national activation in major retail locations, developed a robust distribution network, and secured significant funding. My strategic vision and leadership were instrumental in driving substantial sales growth and brand recognition.

As Senior General Manager of New Markets at FIJI Water, I led strategic launches across the Americas, Middle East, Africa, and India. I developed key distribution partnerships with Coca-Cola, NTDE, Betica, and Diageo, and created market entry strategies tailored to diverse regions. My leadership ensured successful market penetration and brand establishment, driving FIJI Water's global growth.

In my role as General Manager for Canada, I took full P&L ownership and orchestrated a successful relaunch of FIJI Water in the Canadian market. I established a strong market presence in core metro areas, negotiated strategic placements, and secured distribution with major players like Canada Dry and UNFI. My efforts grew FIJI Water into Canada's leading imported water brand and its most profitable market globally.

As an M&A Strategy Consultant for The Wonderful Company, I led due diligence projects and post-merger integration planning for the FIJI Water acquisition. I managed infrastructure projects and developed strategic business plans for international markets, ensuring seamless integration and scaling of the business.

At Target, I created and led a new merchandise strategy and planning team, leveraging customer data to drive merchandising decisions. My strategic initiatives included vendor partnership projects and optimization of promotional plans, significantly enhancing the company's merchandising effectiveness.

As a Senior Associate at McKinsey, I provided strategic consulting services to technology, e-commerce, and B2B clients. I drove improvements in sales performance, marketing effectiveness, and overall business unit operations. I contributed thought leadership to McKinsey's service lines focused on small B2B sales, marketing, and e-commerce, and was a founding member of McKinsey's Silicon Valley Accelerator.

As a Research Analyst at McKinsey, I supported consulting engagements through in-depth research and analysis. I spearheaded the global e-commerce training program and managed internal knowledge initiatives, providing valuable data and insights that informed strategic decision-making.

At MCI, I supported product development, marketing, and retail distribution programs, including the launch of an online retail store in 1996 to compete with the newly launched Amazon.com. My work involved analyzing market trends, identifying growth opportunities, and developing strategies to enhance MCI's market position in a rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape.

As an Associate on a project with the Ethics Resource Center and Merck & Co., I conducted high-level interviews in Abu Dhabi, synthesizing findings and developing strategic recommendations for establishing the Gulf Centre for Excellence in Ethics in the United Arab Emirates. This work contributed to advancing ethical business practices in a key global market.

In my role as an Analyst at the University of Chicago Center on Law and Finance, I focused on monitoring elections and constitutional developments in Eastern Europe. I conducted in-depth research and drafted comprehensive updates for the East European Constitutional Review, published by the University of Chicago Press in Winter 1996. This work provided valuable insights into the evolving legal and political landscape of post-Soviet Eastern Europe.