Mary Lou Marinas Email & Phone Number

United States

Global

Larson Consulting Inc. is a boutique business advisory firm, providing both direct and affiliate consulting services. We are passionately dedicated to help leaders ranging from small to mid-market enterprises: solve critical strategic issues, identify success metrics, assess and accelerate on existing and new growth opportunities using qualitative / quantitative market research and data-driven methodologies to draw value-creating insights, and improve the reputation and brand of their B2B or B2C organizations through integrative approaches with research and analytics. We possess the knowledge and know-how to produce highly impactful insights for engagements ranging from short-term ad hoc projects to longer-term ongoing tracking studies.Some of our past engagements have included: private equity and venture capital due diligence, domestic and international growth strategy, restructuring, third party negotiation, mediation, interim executive capacities, and more.

Global

Stax is a global strategy consulting firm serving mid-size to global Fortune 500 clients and the majority of the Top 25 Global Private Equity Firms and their portfolio companies. All projects conducted are high impact engagements via understanding market dynamics, developing customer insights, and identifying opportunities for value creation and profit improvement for private equity / venture capital M&A within financial services, CPG / FMCG, technology, healthcare, agribusiness, and industrial sectors.

Chicago, Illinois

• Led the development the company’s first e-commerce platform and implementation of CRM and POS software solutions.• Established social media presence in various outlets and built three alternative online marketplaces to further increaseawareness and revenue generating opportunity among the targeted customer demographic.• Strategized and implemented effective inbound and outbound marketing in both the digital and traditional retail sector.

Greater Chicago Area

Developed the role of the newly created position on the board of the Chicago Booth Student Advisory Council (SAC). Drove student engagement on social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) in building the online presence of the Chicago Booth brand. Launched the roll-out of Chicago Booth's first-ever marketing campaign "Inquiry. Insight. Impact." throughout the evening and weekend programs. Managed a team of student volunteers for a week-long series of events (information sessions, Booth branded giveaways, champagne toast celebration, etc.) for campaign week.

Calabasas Hills, Ca

Started as a temp, but was fully converted to a permanent hire in less than 2 weeks. Became a key figure during a period of economic turmoil to help drive efficiency and accountability into commercializing and new CPG product rollouts, overseeing each new SKU or product revision from ideation to customer receipt. Some other highlights from my work include:• Scaled up formulations from bench top to large production batch quantities within the ERP system for all food production facilities• Initiated the Packaging Task Force, a team of executives responsible for the design and development of FDA compliant CPG packaging, master cases, and food trays that uphold the product integrity and minimize packaging failure during shipment• Spearheaded the first standardized protocol for the receipt and inspection of raw packaging materials by the Receiving Department• Expedited the product and specification approval process for domestic and international sales• Was initially responsible for, but later managed a team for the development of: 1) FDA compliant Nutrition Facts Labels and Ingredient Listings, 2) Shop floor specifications for food production, 3) Customer specification and POS sheets for foodservice accounts or retail distributors

Greater Los Angeles Area

Promoted the goals, image, and the activities of LAD among food and health professionals, public city events, and universities. Reached out to numerous potential donors for fundraising and corporate sponsorship. Enhanced the existing corporate sponsorship program, and fostered good relations between LAD and its sponsors.

Greater Los Angeles Area And Orange County

Conducted store-by-store market research all over Los Angeles and Orange County to assess the launch of Jamba Juice’s menu changes and overall consumer acceptance. Interacted with in-store customers to provide personalized nutrition advice and recommendations from the new product line, requiring nutritional knowledge to provide evidence-based recommendations for menu items based on individual needs and habits. Through insights gathered from field and primary research, feedback was provided on critical areas of consumer perception & acceptance and how the launch would work best on a larger rollout in the greater Southern California region.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Performed numerous laboratory experiments to conduct sensory evaluation, panel/booth testing, spec testing, flavor and color matching through compound development, and formulaic manipulation in the food CPG arena.

Van Nuys, Ca

Created informative nutritional handouts related to various health conditions and age groups for the clinical dietetics department. Revised and updated the foodservice SOPs to reflect the current state of kitchen operations. Further measures were also implemented to improve the efficiency of early food preparation and the safeness of the handling process.

Pepperdine University, Malibu, Ca

Designed and directed various program activities, meal plans, and fitness sessions for a 10-week summer camp, housing Type-II Diabetic or obese children and teens (ages 4-18). Mentored 6 campers on a daily basis in the areas of emotional health, human nutrition, and physical fitness. Additionally, oversaw ~35 more campers and engaged them in daily activity. 24-hour supervision was maintained by 6 counselors (including myself) to ensure that medications were properly administered and for additional safety measures.

Century City, Ca

Developed the first edition of the Gluten-Free Shopping List publicly distributed at all Gelson's Markets store locations and online. The work produced was so effective in driving customer engagement, that eventually a system-wide requirement was made for all gluten-free products to be labeled on the respective price tags. Shortly after, competing markets replicated the same model nationwide.

Northridge, Ca

Forecasted and sourced ingredients necessary to prepare the meal plans I developed for CSUN's lab school (pre-school). Each of the 20+ children's food requirements were met, including but not limited to: cultural beliefs, allergens, and intolerance. Supervised the food preparation process prior to serving the lunches, ensuring that sanitary conditions were maintained, meals were thoroughly prepared, and allergens were not transferred across ingredients or food preparation surfaces.

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Finance, Accounting, Economics, And Strategic Management

Activities and Societies: Student Advisory Council (Officer), Booth Consulting Club, Private Equity Club, Partner's Club, Emerging Markets.

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Food Science And Administration

Activities and Societies: Southern California Institute of Food Technologists, American Association of Family Consumer SciencesFounding.

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Foods, Nutrition, And Related Services

Activities and Societies: California Dietetic Association, Los Angeles Dietetic Association, American Dietetic AssociationOfficer, Student.