Naturally Network’s annual Women in CPG Summit was held on July 18 - 19, 2023
Miss the event? Check out key takeaways and recordings of each panel in our recap:
July 18th
The Rising C-Suite: Path to Advancement and New Definition of Success
11:30 AM - 12:20 PM EST, 10:30 AM - 11:20 AM CST,
9:30 AM - 10:20 AM MST, 8:30 AM - 9:20 AM PST
Moderator: Jennifer Paulson, Wicked Foods
Speakers: Julie Fabricant, ForceBrands | Kate Weidner, SRW | Suzy Richard, SPINS | Julie Smolyansky, Lifeway
Kick off the Women in CPG summit with a panel that brings together three accomplished women in the C-suite. They will share their experiences, challenges, and insights on aligning personal values, driving positive change, and redefining success in the modern business landscape.
The Secret to Unstoppable Growth: When Personal & Business Values Align
12:30 PM - 1:20 PM EST, 11:30 AM- 12:20 PM CST,
10:30 AM - 11:20 AM MST, 9:30 AM - 10:20 AM PST
Moderator: Mary Tarczynski, Parabolic
Speakers: Julie Gordon White, Menopause Energy Bars | Dana Cohen, Cora | Zoe Kissam, Traditional Medicinals
Ready for a mental energy boost? What if clocking in felt just as invigorating as clocking out? Satisfied professionals will tell you there’s magic to be found when your personal and business values align. We'll hear from three leaders from women's life-stage product companies on how their personal values have guided their career journey, how they have overcome challenges, and the pros & cons of selling products targeted to women's unique needs.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Strategies for Raising Capital
1:30 PM - 2:20 PM EST, 12:30 PM- 1:20 PM CST,
11:30 AM - 12:20 PM MST, 10:30 AM - 11:20 AM PST
Moderator: Kerri Leslie, Verity
Speakers: Maria Gonzalez-Blanch, Crescent Ridge | Rachel Sachs, Springdale Ventures | Gigi Chang, BFY Capital
Join us for an insightful and engaging panel discussion centered on the challenges and opportunities faced by women entrepreneurs in their pursuit of capital. This seminar aims to empower female founders with the knowledge, resources, and strategies needed to raise the funds that are essential for the growth and success of their businesses.
July 19th
Women and Community
Moderator: Melissa Spain, Moss Adams LLP
Speakers: Amy Summers, Pitch Publicity | Heather Granato, Informa Markets | Crystal Webber, Niche Nutrition LLC | Kathleen Cassanova, Project Potluck
11:30 AM - 12:20 PM EST, 10:30 AM - 11:20 AM CST,
9:30 AM - 10:20 AM MST, 8:30 AM - 9:20 AM PST
Join Naturally Network and community organizations to learn about the true power of community and how it can enable your success. Learn from women leaders who’ve made it their mission to create space, help grow and support women and non-binary professionals in the industry. SPINS will be kicking off this session by sharing category trends and the importance of data.
Leadership and Legacy
Moderator: Cynthia Tice, Board Member
Speakers: Carlotta Mast, New Hope/Informa | Madeline Haydon, Nutpods | Diana Fryc, Retail Voodoo
12:30 PM - 1:20 PM EST, 11:30 AM- 12:20 PM CST,
10:30 AM - 11:20 AM MST, 9:30 AM - 10:20 AM PST
What happens after success? Join us to hear from industry veterans who have made a big impact in CPG. We’ll hear from each and learn about how they define success now, how they think about their legacy, and what is next. We’ll learn about the different types of leadership styles that got them to where they are today as well as how they are empowering the next generation of women leaders.
The Evolution of Beauty
1:30 PM - 2:20 PM EST, 12:30 PM- 1:20 PM CST,
11:30 AM - 12:20 PM MST, 10:30 AM - 11:20 AM PST
Moderator: Kymberly Graham, NIQ
Detara Williams, Peculiar Roots | Jordan Karim, Flora & Noor | Sejal Patel, Plantkos
Beauty isn’t static, our perception of what is beautiful changes over time - and natural personal care and beauty brands need to keep up. Join this session to dig into data, see what is currently important to consumers in this space, understand shifting demographics, and how shifting perceptions manifest in retail.
One of our key priorities as an organization is to support and advocate for the success of diverse-owned businesses and we are excited to host a nationwide summit that will inspire and connect women and non-binary CPG professionals and their supporters.
This 2-day event was built for current and future entrepreneurs in virtual sessions. Collaboration and networking opportunities will enable each attendee to cultivate the community they need, and with a purposeful focus on supporting and promoting diverse-owned businesses, this Summit is meant to connect and bolster the CPG ecosystem for all.
The Naturally Network Women in CPG Summit is an inclusive event for women, non-binary professionals and their supporters who want to network, learn and grow within the CPG industry.
