Experience

Nassau Street Ventures (an Alumni Ventures Fund)

• United States
• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Fellow | Venture Capital | Research | Due Diligence | Network

  • Jan 2022 - Present

  Nassau Street Ventures is a private venture fund for Princeton University alumni and friends of the community to access high-quality, diversified venture portfolios in early to growth-stage companies, many with a Princeton University alumni connection. Our investors own a portfolio of ~20-30 venture investments diversified by stage, sector, and geography. The fund co-invests alongside other established venture firms. Nassau Street Ventures is part of the Alumni Ventures family of venture funds. Alumni Ventures is consistently recognized as one of the most active venture firms in the US, according to PitchBook. The firm employs over 50 full-time venture investors, has raised more than $800M, holds a rapidly growing portfolio of over 800 venture-backed companies, and counts 600,000+ community members and subscribers across all of its funds. Show less



Edge2Edge Packaging

• United States
• Packaging and Containers Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Acting CEO | Brand Foundation | Sales & Marketing | Transformation | Organizational Development

  • Mar 2019 - Sep 2021



Divine Chocolate USA

• United States
• Food & Beverages
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Non Executive Board Member | Strategy | Market Positioning | Financial Structure | Supply Chain

  • Jan 2019 - Mar 2020



Hackensack Meridian Health

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer | People & Budget | MarCom & Brand Strategy

  • 2015 - 2016

  IMPACT SNAPSHOT: In this role, I was challenged to help resolve the conundrum of post-M&A brand vision and marketing strategy for the largest healthcare network in NJ. Our efforts to merge the two vastly different cultures and communities served resulted in expedited brand recognition and positioning the entity as a meaningful competitor. SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVES: — Spearheaded the marketing strategy involving a web overhaul, high-impact digital and print campaigns, and integrated content strategies. Improved customer experience in physical and digital settings and helped the organization claim a more balanced share of voice. — Orchestrated a painstaking RFP and selection process to engage a top industry agency to support the size and scope of a post-merger rebranding initiative. — Centralized disparate marketing, communications, and PR divisions across the organization while retaining local community sensitivity. — Supported successful alignment of online appointment setting and telehealth services with corporate vision to increase patient access and convenience to healthcare professionals. EXPERTISE HONED: Business Transformation System | Vision Alignment | Board Engagement | Change Leadership | Integrated Marcomm Strategy | Integrated Marketing & Content Strategies | Brand Development | Digital Strategy | Strategic Partnerships | Relationship Management | Cross-Functional Collaboration | Emotional Intelligence | Negotiation | Process Orientation | Performance Management | Coaching | Professional Development Show less



Myne

• Greater New Orleans Area

• Partner & Chief Operations Officer | Business Development | Product Concept Fit | Sales

  • 2014 - 2015

  IMPACT SNAPSHOT: As an expert People Connector, my aim was to link this SaaS model startup—specialized in matching consumers with products—to some of the most recognizable names in apparel and retail, and steer pre-revenue business development efforts to reveal proof of concept. The role required navigating the extreme complexity and ambiguity of a startup scenario with minimal infrastructure. SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVES: — Tapped into and built upon an expansive network of industry contacts, unlocking golden pitch opportunities. — Directed the creation of CPG pitch materials to simplify a complex technology. Emphasized benefits and business value, and ease of implementation within potential clients’ existing technology stack. — Detailed production/commercialization timelines and costs and fine-tuned them according to potential clients’ needs. EXPERTISE HONED: Startups | Business Development |Unique Value Propositions | Growth Strategies | Market Opportunity & Analysis | Relationship Building | Strategic Influence | Business Administration | Presentations & Public Speaking Show less



Archerosophy

• Manufacturing

• Principal | Strategy | Brand Development | P&L | Sales | OD | Transformation

  • 2013 - 2015

  IMPACT SNAPSHOT: As a Strategy Consultant, I provide general management perspective and growth-driving expertise for business transformation, brand and business development, process and systems optimization, merchandising, and marketing challenges. My clients span consumer packaged goods, retail, manufacturing, digital media, and non-profits. SUCCESS HIGHLIGHTS: — As Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Princeton University Store, I am leading a transformational retail experience strategy through store design, technology enhancements, brand development, and optimizing the product mix. — Serve as acting CEO for Edge to Edge Packaging. Focus on driving a comprehensive business transformation and modernization effort. — Created the roadmap to turn an entertainment concept into a revenue-generating business for Burkewood Creative’s reality web series book club, “Black Foxes”. — Devised a business-expansion strategy for the home fragrance company Thymes. Created a framework for brand positioning, expanding distribution, generating channel distinction, and enhancing the product innovation pipeline. PARALLEL ACTIVITIES: — Served on the Board of Directors of Divine Chocolate, Ltd. (2019– 2020), where I collaborated with executive and board peers to resolve complex organizational challenges and develop the corporate strategy. — Contribute thought leadership as an author and public speaker on executive leadership, business transformation, branding, negotiation, and sales. — Coach and mentor students, professionals, startup founders, and executives informally and formally through organizations such as TED, Ivy Exec, and Princeton University. EXPERTISE HONED: Strategic Vision | Business Transformation | Strategic Planning | Revenue & Profit Growth | P&L Responsibility | Strategic Partnerships | Coaching & Mentoring | Leadership Development | Brand Building | Brand Development | Brand Management | Project Management | Prioritizing & Time Management Show less



NEST New York

• United States
• Personal Care Product Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Merchandising, Sales & Marketing Officer | Strategy | PE | OD | Sales | P&L | Distribution

  • 2012 - 2013

  IMPACT SNAPSHOT: My mandate as a key corporate strategist with NEST Fragrances was to help solve the next-stage growth puzzle and support the founder and CEO in transforming the home fragrance and personal care products company into an irresistible private-equity acquisition. Partnering with the founder and CEO and internal teams, we catapulted business valuation through a masstige-channel expansion strategy with Target and JCPenney and shortened the path to acquisition. SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVES: — Closed pivotal deals with Fortune 500 retail titans Target and JCPenney, resulting in needle-moving mass market annual impact with products on shelves in 2.3K Target and JCPenney brick-and-mortar shops, including Target-funded end-cap placement. — Revealed the value in capitalizing on key gifting periods and spearheaded a product innovation strategy to drive category expansion. — Provided the organizational vision for a larger, future-state company. Identified capability and infrastructure gaps and created a roadmap for professionalizing functions and accommodating future growth. EXPERTISE HONED: Vision & Implementation | Private Equity Valuation | Organizational Development | Sales Positioning | Strategic Partnerships & Alliances | Omnichannel Retail | Channel-Expansion Strategies | E-Commerce | Product Development | Retail Merchandising | Innovation Pipelines | Mass Market Sales Cycle | Vendor Data Analysis | Vendor Mindsets Show less



Godiva Chocolatier

• United States
• Food and Beverage Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Vice President, Global Innovation & Business Development | P&L | Strategy | Brand

  • 2009 - 2011

  IMPACT SNAPSHOT: Scope of responsibility expanded to include multi-channel, global chocolate lines, beverages, and baked goods. Merchandised and marketed 30% of base business, led e-commerce and brick-and-mortar global marketing innovation strategies for new chocolate and non-chocolate product lines.SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVES:— Rejuvenated global chocolate lines, beverages, and baked goods across multiple channels that exceeded annual volume growth expectations.— Drove expansion through new distribution channels such as Costco and QVC. Invited to appear as the live “on air” guest representing the company. — Created and championed an “open innovation strategy” to fuel the global innovation pipeline, enhance the luxury and artisanal appeal of the brick-and-mortar shops, and strengthen the E-commerce model. Key team member in a centralized product innovation effort to monitor ROI per SKU and reduce time to launch for new products by 50%.— Continued to lead business development and licensing operations in collaboration with titans such as The Coca-Cola Company, Starbucks, Target, Wegmans, and Estée Lauder. EXPERTISE HONED:P&L Authority | Leadership Development | Board Presence | Business Strategy Development & Execution | Sales & Marketing | Omnichannel Retail | Integrated Marketing Strategy | New Channel Development | Innovation Strategies | Brand Development | Business Expansion | Consumer Insights | Business Development | Product Development & Packaging | Feasibility Strategies | Data-Driven Decision Making Show less

• Senior Vice President Global Business Development and Licensing | Transformation | P&L | Sales

  • 2005 - 2009

  IMPACT SNAPSHOT: Brought the omnichannel model to life, making the brand accessible to a wider demographic, devouring market share from mass market incumbents such as Lindt and Ghiradelli. Built a licensing function from the ground up and steered global business and product category expansion, enhancing profit and trademark vitality.Leading and developing my talented team, we outperformed licensing EBIT KPIs and over-delivered on share of licensing revenue to the corporate bottom line.SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVES:— Spearheaded a company-wide initiative that transformed the go-to-market approach to penetrate the mass market, delivering “Godiva Gems” the company’s largest product launch to date. This accessible price point product line helped catapult Asia-Pacific into a top-performing region.— Pioneered the licensing function, pumping up brand equity in digital and traditional media impressions as measured by Y&R Brand Asset Valuator. — Formulated and operationalized a lifestyle vision involving new categories, including home fragrances, coffee and chocolate beverages, flavored vodkas, and relaunching the chocolate liqueur that became the #1 volume and share leader. — Built and managed licensing partnerships with The Cheesecake Factory, Sara Lee, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, and Diageo. Closed on the largest agreement in the history of parent company Campbell Soup Co., sealing a high-impact deal with The Coca-Cola Company. EXPERTISE HONED:P&L Responsibility | Business Transformation | Go-to-Market Strategies | Business Strategy & Execution | Brand Development | Strategic Alliances | Profitable Growth | Data & Market Analysis | Global Business Development | Sales & Distribution Planning | Negotiating | Consumer Research | Cross-Functional Team Development | Business Development | Product Development & Packaging | Feasibility Strategies | Data-Driven Decision Making | Relationship Management | Brand Positioning | Brand Licensing Show less



Sesame Workshop

• United States
• Media Production
• 700 & Above Employee

• Vice President and General Manager, Licensing | P&L | Strategy | Brand | Innovation | Negotiation

  • 2003 - 2005

  IMPACT SNAPSHOT: Promoted to lead the domestic licensing operation, I spotted new potential for the Sesame Street brand in uncharted markets and demographics. I was able to challenge status-quo thinking to expand its reach and impact and power P&L for the licensing operation.SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVES:— Signed a paramount deal with CPG behemoth P&G that saw licensed characters on diapers for the first time in history. — Launched teen and nostalgia programs to capitalize on multiple generations whose lives are touched by Sesame Street, sparking the “Sesame Street Alumni phenomenon” documented by The New York Times, NBC’s “Friends”, New York Post, and Entertainment Weekly. — Unlocked new potential in the upscale toddler market, collaborating with designer Nicole Miller and targeting luxury retailers.— Developed the “Plaza Sesamo” sensation, honing in on the Hispanic market, which led to further diversification of revenue and distribution. — Transformed the culture from heavily siloed to one defined by the cross-pollination of ideas, shared resources, and collaboration improving service to licensees and expediting product development cycles. EXPERTISE HONED:P&L Responsibility | Transformation | Vision | Strategy Implementation | Cross-Functional Collaboration | Business Development | Sales Leadership | Market Analysis | High-Stakes Negotiation | Brand Development | Brand Management | Innovation Pipelines | Product Development | Strategic Alliances | Omnichannel Distribution Show less

• Vice President Licensing—Packaged Goods & Family Entertainment | P&L | Turnaround | Brand | Sales

  • 1999 - 2003

  IMPACT SNAPSHOT: I relish my contributions to help this not-for-profit navigate financial distress based on losing funding support and increased costs. Together we delivered a +40% revenue boost from new products, categories, and consumers. Leading 3 direct and 2 indirect reports, I managed consumer products licensees, the Sesame Place theme park, and “Sesame Street Live” shows.SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVES:— Eliminated siloes, spearheading an operating-planning process that aligned marketing, retail, and licensing, resulting in over-performance on revenue goals.— Supported the repositioning of the Sesame Street brand as a cause entity, giving licensees a unique value proposition that led to widespread support from retailers and consumers.— Built a new brand architecture and visual style guide and rolled it out across 100+ licensees spanning a wide range of categories.— Initiated strategy for developing an E-commerce platform in collaboration with alliance partners. EXPERTISE HONED:Not-for-Profit & Mission-Based Strategies | P&L Ownership | Turnarounds | Revenue & Profit Growth Strategies | Data-Driven Decision Making | Negotiation | Brand Development | Brand Management | Licensing | Pipeline Planning Show less



The Walt Disney Company

• United States
• Entertainment Providers
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director/Divisional Merchandise Manager, Licensing—Stationery & Gifts | P&L | Brand | Strategy

  • 1997 - 1999

  IMPACT SNAPSHOT: With an expanded scope over my previous role, I owned a line of business directing 50+ licensees across 9 product categories and co-led the retail strategy for the licensing division. My team and I shattered growth targets and redefined limits, unearthing potential from new business lines, products, and markets. SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVES:— Launched new food categories, office supplies, and computer accessories exceeding retail revenue goals.— Formed new strategic partnerships, including alliances with Sears portrait studios, the USPS to feature characters on U.S. stamps, and Hallmark with thousands of SKUs spanning all of their product categories and age targets. — Pioneered the Retail Licensing function to service retail partners and establish Disney as a key vendor.— Led a 225-participant seminar for 120 licensees presenting Disney's marketing strategies. — Implemented on-site licensee training programs, resulting in 11% sales increase over prior quarter.EXPERTISE HONED:P&L Responsibility | Negotiation | Relationship Management | Retail Strategies | Sales & Vendor Positioning | Cross-Functional Leadership | Intellectual Property | Product Development | Product Vision | Cross-Functional Alignment | Process Improvement | Consumer Research Show less

• Director/Divisional Merchandise Manager, Licensing—Core Characters, Stationery & Gifts | Brand | P&L

  • 1994 - 1997

  IMPACT SNAPSHOT: Delivered 21% growth from new gift products. Launched new stationery and toy products with multimillion-dollar impact. Expanded brand’s reach to adult computer accessories.EXPERTISE HONED:P&L Responsibility │ Negotiation │ Trademark Contracts │ Business Development │ Data & Market Analysis │ Competitive Positioning │ Product Development │ Creative Standards & Guidelines