Guiding Startup Triumph: The Vital Role of Independent Advisors and Platforms in Achieving Success

L. Antoinette Ward is a visionary marketing executive with nearly two decades of experience driving revenue growth, digital transformation, and brand engagement across B2B and B2C industries. As Vice President of Marketing at Hibu, she has generated over $1 million in annual revenue through innovative lead generation strategies while optimizing prospect segmentation and digital engagement. A strategic leader with expertise in content marketing, automation, and analytics, she has successfully enhanced brand reputation, increased conversion rates, and developed impactful sales support tools. Beyond marketing, she is a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, pioneering corporate initiatives that foster a culture of belonging. With an Executive MBA from The Pennsylvania State University, Ms. Ward continues to lead with insight, innovation, and a results-driven approach to business success.

Christopher Harrington is a seasoned sales and marketing executive with over 20 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. A results-driven leader, he has successfully led go-to-market strategies, optimized category management, and driven revenue growth across North America and international markets, including Mexico, China, and the European Union. With expertise in strategic planning, sales leadership, and operational efficiency, Chris has played a pivotal role in scaling businesses, leading high-performing teams, and executing transformational initiatives. Passionate about accountability, mentorship, and community engagement, he is now seeking board and advisory roles where he can leverage his extensive experience to help companies navigate market complexities and drive sustainable growth.

Jeff Barela is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader with over 25 years of experience in database marketing, CRM, and SaaS, known for his ability to build, scale, and successfully exit a profitable marketing technology company. With deep expertise in strategic planning, finance, operations, legal, and sales, he takes a pragmatic, results-oriented approach to business growth and innovation. His leadership in AI-driven marketing technology, agile software development, and stakeholder engagement has positioned him as a trusted advisor in the industry. Currently, Jeff is seeking strategic advisory or part-time consulting opportunities where he can leverage his extensive experience to drive impactful results in the marketing technology sector.

Gregory G. Lee is a seasoned sales and marketing executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in the manufacturing, automotive, trucks/trailers, and aftermarket components industries. Known for his ability to drive revenue growth, optimize sales teams, and execute strategic market expansions, Greg has successfully led high-performing teams across private equity and corporate environments. His expertise spans sales management, business development, P&L oversight, and global dealer channel management. With a strong track record in organizational restructuring and customer engagement, Greg is now seeking board advisory roles where he can leverage his extensive experience to help companies scale, optimize operations, and achieve sustainable growth.

Jess Sheahen is a dynamic marketing executive with over two decades of experience driving business growth and innovation for global brands. Known for her servant leadership and strategic vision, Jess has a proven track record in scaling operations, building high-performing teams, and delivering data-driven marketing strategies that achieve measurable results. From leading multi-million-dollar revenue growth initiatives at Vail Resorts to overseeing global brand strategies at Otter Products, her expertise spans omni-channel marketing, brand development, and product launches. With a passion for fostering collaboration and driving transformational success, Jess brings unparalleled knowledge, strategic foresight, and a commitment to excellence to every endeavor.

Sarah Stevenson is a results-driven marketing executive with a proven track record of leading transformative initiatives, driving revenue growth, and building high-performing teams in the healthcare and technology industries. Adept at developing data-driven strategies and optimizing multi-channel campaigns, she aligns marketing efforts with overarching business objectives to maximize impact. Passionate about diversity and inclusion, Sarah is a recognized advocate for women leaders and an influential people leader who fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and empowerment. With expertise in strategic marketing, demand generation, and digital transformation, she continuously delivers measurable results while shaping the future of marketing leadership.

Adam Kapel is a seasoned marketing and growth strategist with over three decades of experience in shaping compelling narratives and driving brand differentiation for B2B technology companies. As a former CMO, CGO, and CRO, he has led marketing, sales, and account teams across industry-leading organizations, refining their positioning and accelerating revenue growth. Now, in his semi-retired advisory role at **KAP: Kapel Advisory + Production**, Adam is dedicated to coaching the next generation of marketing and sales leaders while continuing to craft impactful, client-centric stories that set businesses apart. His expertise lies in transforming complex ideas into clear, engaging narratives that resonate with customers, fuel engagement, and drive sustainable success in competitive markets.

Sandra Bereti is a dynamic and accomplished marketing executive with a proven global track record of driving profitable growth through innovative brand strategies and consumer-centric innovation. Renowned for her ability to transform brands across health, nutrition, and beauty industries, Sandra leverages her expertise in consumer insights, digital marketing, and global pipeline development to deliver measurable business results. She has held key leadership roles, including Chief Marketing Officer at Beech-Nut and Dannon, where she spearheaded transformative initiatives, revitalized brand equity, and fostered sustainable growth. A dedicated leader, Sandra inspires high-performing teams, fosters a culture of trust and accountability, and applies her strategic marketing acumen to mission-driven organizations as a board trustee for World Animal Protection. Her career reflects a rare combination of visionary leadership, operational excellence, and a passion for creating meaningful impact.

Peter Hassen is a transformative marketing and branding executive with over 20 years of experience driving growth and innovation across sports, entertainment, and media. Known for his ability to craft impactful strategies that fuse creativity with measurable results, he has revitalized iconic brands, cultivated high-value partnerships, and created dynamic fan engagement platforms. From leading the Chicago Blackhawks’ historic turnaround to pioneering NIL education initiatives with NILENT Enterprise Solutions, Hassen has consistently delivered game-changing results. A forward-thinking leader, he combines deep industry knowledge, strategic vision, and exceptional communication skills to inspire teams, captivate audiences, and deliver sustained success for organizations and communities.

Christy Behnke is a seasoned marketing executive with a strong track record of driving growth and innovation in B2B SaaS environments. With expertise in crafting and executing impactful go-to-market strategies, Behnke has consistently aligned marketing initiatives with broader business objectives to generate significant revenue growth and market expansion. Her leadership has been instrumental in transforming marketing departments, introducing data-driven approaches, and fostering cross-functional collaboration across sales, finance, product, and customer success teams. Known for her adaptability and strategic vision, Behnke has successfully enhanced brand visibility, elevated market positioning, and increased pipeline performance, establishing herself as a dynamic force in the marketing landscape.

Leslie Vesper is a seasoned marketing executive with over 20 years of experience driving innovation and strategic brand growth across the food and beverage industry. As Vice President of Marketing at PepsiCo Foods North America, she leads high-impact teams and marketing initiatives that strengthen iconic brands and fuel business growth. With a proven track record in brand management, portfolio innovation, and consumer insights, Leslie has played a pivotal role in transforming major brands like Doritos and Frito-Lay through consumer-centric strategies and product innovations. Her leadership spans notable companies such as Dr Pepper Snapple Group and General Mills, where she spearheaded successful product launches and long-term innovation pipelines. Known for her ability to align teams and deliver results, Leslie combines deep industry knowledge with a passion for creating market-leading strategies that resonate with diverse consumer audiences.

I’m excited to share my professional biography, detailing the experiences and insights I’ve gained over 17 years in marketing, analytics, and growth strategy. From expanding digital businesses to enhancing team engagement, each step has deepened my commitment to transformative, data-driven growth. Here is my biography.

Christine Diaz is a visionary marketing executive with nearly 20 years of experience driving transformative results in omnichannel strategy, customer retention, and loyalty programs. Renowned for her ability to combine data-driven insights with innovative strategies, she has successfully led marketing initiatives across leading brands like Bartesian and Crate & Barrel, delivering measurable growth in customer lifetime value and revenue. Christine's expertise in CRM, performance marketing, and enterprise project management, coupled with her leadership and communication skills, makes her a dynamic force in building impactful marketing solutions.

Tom Fourt is an accomplished marketing executive with over 20 years of experience in marketing strategy, product innovation, market research, lifecycle management, and digital...

Jessica Navascues is a highly accomplished executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in the building systems industry. With a proven track record in driving growth, operational efficiency, and business transformation, Jessica has held key leadership roles, including President of Building Systems at Cornerstone Building Brands and CEO of Allura Fiber Cement Products. Known for her strategic vision and ability to navigate challenging markets, Jessica continues to partner with industry leaders as a Senior Executive Consultant, offering her expertise in revenue growth, product launches, and operational optimization.

Matthew A. Nelson exemplifies the intersection of strategic insight and impactful communication in the marketing world. With a career marked by significant achievements at iHeartMedia, where he has led major growth initiatives for top brands like AB InBev and Caesars Sportsbook, Nelson's expertise spans both traditional and digital media platforms. His dedication to building strong relationships and his philanthropic efforts underscore his commitment to driving not only business success but also meaningful community contributions. As a dynamic force in the industry, Nelson continues to set the standard for effective brand partnerships and innovative marketing strategies.