BEAUTY CONNECT C2C 2021

Beauty Connect USA

The leading industry event to future-proof your brand strategy in the new age of Beauty & Wellness

DOWNLOAD AGENDA
VIRTUAL SUMMIT | PDT & EDT Timezone
27-28 April, 2021

“A great event to collaborate and share insights on key topics facing the industry today.”

Donna Petretti, CRODA Inc

In Association With...

beauty, beautyconnect, event partner

Why Attend

Beauty Connect is the leading digital summit connecting indie brands, multinationals, retailers and industry suppliers from across the US and beyond.

2020 was a game changer for all and it has brought new, urgent challenges to the forefront of the beauty industry that is shaping the strategies of both indie and multinational brands. The concept of beauty is evolving, no longer understood as stand-alone cosmetics, but looking AND feeling healthy and well. The consumer is more aware than ever of their influence in the personal care industry and are using their spending power to reflect values of sustainability, transparency and safety firstDirect-to-consumer strategies used by beauty brands & retailers are under increasing scrutiny as they fight to emerge as leaders in an online world.

Building on the global success of the Beauty & Money Series, our thought-leaders at Beauty Connect will help you to renew your focus on customer engagement, take advantage of the integration of beauty & wellness, and forge partnerships to ensure that your brand’s identity connects with your desired consumer, online, in-store and at home.

Learn what the 'new normal' is, connect with industry-experts in over 20 private 1-2-1 meetings and act pre-emptively to future-proof your brand’s strategy. You’re never too big to fail, you’re never too small to thrive – Beauty Connect USA is the virtual event for forging partnerships, acquiring the latest marketing intelligence and building a brand strategy that will ensure your relevancy and success.

2
Days of Content
25+
INDUSTRY LEADING SPEAKERS
1-2-1
DEDICATED MEETINGS
150+
INDUSTRY EXECUTIVES

Headline Partner

Associate Event Partner

Platinum Event Partner

Senior Content Event Partner

Media Partners

PROUD PATRON OF

2021 SPEAKERS

 

Heather Deeth

Buying Manager, North America
LUSH

Heather Deeth is responsible for Lush’s raw material supply chain ensuring Lush’s strict ethical standards on non-animal testing, fair pay and conditions for workers and reducing environmental impact are upheld and progressed throughout all levels of supply.

Heather Deeth

Buying Manager, North America
LUSH

Heather Deeth

Buying Manager, North America
LUSH

Heather Deeth is responsible for Lush’s raw material supply chain ensuring Lush’s strict ethical standards on non-animal testing, fair pay and conditions for workers and reducing environmental impact are upheld and progressed throughout all levels of supply.

With a global reach, her work has taken her to the agricultural region of Northern Uganda, the argan forests of Morocco, the banks of the Amazon River and manufacturing facilities throughout Asia in search of the highest quality and sustainable materials that make a difference for the people and places they originate. In packaging, her team has embraced the use of 100% post consumer materials and circular economy in paper and plastics for over 10 years and are active industry leaders.  For the last six years Heather and her team have developed long term investment projects designed to support economic growth and regeneration in areas that have suffered environmental degradation through conflict, climate change and natural disaster. Through the Sustainable Lush Fund, Heather’s team supports the creation of agroforestry systems to revitalize the environment, engages with farmers to create appropriate long term development and builds value adding processing close to where the ingredients are grown.

 

Kenya Eldridge

Director, US Brand Marketing
NARS

Kenya Eldridge

Director, US Brand Marketing
NARS

Kenya Eldridge

Director, US Brand Marketing
NARS
 

Scott Sassa

Chairman
Milk Makeup

Scott M. Sassa is currently Chairman of MILK Makeup, a new millennial brand that is inspired by MILK Studios.  It was launched in January 2016.  MILK Makeup is available at Sephora, Urban Outfitters, Birchbox and MILK Makeup.com.

Scott Sassa

Chairman
Milk Makeup

Scott Sassa

Chairman
Milk Makeup

Scott M. Sassa is currently Chairman of MILK Makeup, a new millennial brand that is inspired by MILK Studios.  It was launched in January 2016.  MILK Makeup is available at Sephora, Urban Outfitters, Birchbox and MILK Makeup.com.

From 2008 to 2013, Scott served as President of Hearst Entertainment & Syndication.  Scott was on the ESPN Board, was Co-Chair of AETN which included Lifetime, A&E and History.  Mark Burnett Productions was acquired during Scott’s tenure.  Scott also has oversight of the venture-investing group, which has made investment in Netscape, Broadcast.com, Pandora and other Internet companies.

 

Jaimee Holmes

VP Beauty and Wellness
goop

Jaimee Holmes is an accomplished beauty executive whose progressive leadership vision has propelled growth for brands across multiple categories over the last 15 years. Her credits include leading category innovation and expansion strategies and launching top-ranking global sku’s with Too Faced Cosmetics, and building a complete rebranding and global expansion strategy with Ole Henriksen Skincare.  In her current role at goop, she leads global merchandising and distribution strategies for the beauty and wellness categories.

Jaimee Holmes

VP Beauty and Wellness
goop

Jaimee Holmes

VP Beauty and Wellness
goop

Jaimee Holmes is an accomplished beauty executive whose progressive leadership vision has propelled growth for brands across multiple categories over the last 15 years. Her credits include leading category innovation and expansion strategies and launching top-ranking global sku’s with Too Faced Cosmetics, and building a complete rebranding and global expansion strategy with Ole Henriksen Skincare.  In her current role at goop, she leads global merchandising and distribution strategies for the beauty and wellness categories.

 

Elana Drell-Sfyzer

CEO
Revive Skincare

Elana Drell-Sfyzer

CEO
Revive Skincare

Elana Drell-Sfyzer

CEO
Revive Skincare
 

Carla Ruiz

Senior Vice President, Global M&A
Shiseido Group

Carla Ruiz

Senior Vice President, Global M&A
Shiseido Group

Carla Ruiz

Senior Vice President, Global M&A
Shiseido Group
 

Melanie Bender

President
Versed

Melanie Bender

President
Versed

Melanie Bender

President
Versed
 

Éva Goicochea

Founder & CEO
Maude

Éva Goicochea

Founder & CEO
Maude

Éva Goicochea

Founder & CEO
Maude
 

Rich Gersten

Co-Founder & Managing Partner
True Beauty Capital

Rich has spent the last 30 years investing and building great consumer brands at top private equity firms including Tengram Capital Partners, L Catterton, and North Castle Partners. Rich spent the last 9 years dedicated specifically to investing in the beauty industry, where he developed an extensive network of relationships that sourced many emerging growth brands with very limited access to institutional capital. Realizing the significant opportunity to address this underserved area of the market in beauty, Rich founded True Beauty Ventures.

Rich Gersten

Co-Founder & Managing Partner
True Beauty Capital

Rich Gersten

Co-Founder & Managing Partner
True Beauty Capital

Rich has spent the last 30 years investing and building great consumer brands at top private equity firms including Tengram Capital Partners, L Catterton, and North Castle Partners. Rich spent the last 9 years dedicated specifically to investing in the beauty industry, where he developed an extensive network of relationships that sourced many emerging growth brands with very limited access to institutional capital. Realizing the significant opportunity to address this underserved area of the market in beauty, Rich founded True Beauty Ventures.

Rich received a BS in Economics from Union College (N.Y.) and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

 

Shelby Ogan

Product Development Manager
Kate Somerville Skincare

Shelby Ogan

Product Development Manager
Kate Somerville Skincare

Shelby Ogan

Product Development Manager
Kate Somerville Skincare
 

Annie Jackson

Co-Founder and COO
Credo Beauty

Annie Jackson

Co-Founder and COO
Credo Beauty

Annie Jackson

Co-Founder and COO
Credo Beauty
 

Conor Begley

Co-founder
Tribe Dynamics

Conor Begley

Co-founder
Tribe Dynamics

Conor Begley

Co-founder
Tribe Dynamics
 

Gillian Gorman Round

CEO
Kjaer Weis

Gillian Gorman Round

CEO
Kjaer Weis

Gillian Gorman Round

CEO
Kjaer Weis
 

Kevin Gould

Founder & CEO
Kombo Ventures

Kevin Gould

Founder & CEO
Kombo Ventures

Kevin Gould

Founder & CEO
Kombo Ventures
 

Ashton Wall

Director of Performance Marketing
Colour Pop

Ashton Wall

Director of Performance Marketing
Colour Pop

Ashton Wall

Director of Performance Marketing
Colour Pop
 

Katie Hunt

Co-founder
Showfields

Katie Hunt

Co-founder
Showfields

Katie Hunt

Co-founder
Showfields
 

Luc-Henry Rousselle

Managing Director, Consumer & Retail Investment
William Hood & Company

Luc-Henry Rousselle

Managing Director, Consumer & Retail Investment
William Hood & Company

Luc-Henry Rousselle

Managing Director, Consumer & Retail Investment
William Hood & Company
 

Drishay Menon

Co-Founder & CEO
BottleCode

Drishay Menon

Co-Founder & CEO
BottleCode

Drishay Menon

Co-Founder & CEO
BottleCode
 

Oliver Garfield

CEO
CosBar

Oliver Garfield

CEO
CosBar

Oliver Garfield

CEO
CosBar
 

Richard Kestenbaum

Partner
Triangle Capital, LLC

Richard is a co-founder and Partner of Triangle Capital and has been an investment banker for over 35 years. Richard has a great deal of experience advising clients in merchandising businesses, particularly in the Retail & Consumer sector. Richard is an often-quoted expert on the retail and merchandising industries. He is a Contributor to Forbes.com where he writes a regular blog about trends in retail and consumer product businesses. He also appears regularly in print and other media as well as industry panels and speaking programs.

Richard Kestenbaum

Partner
Triangle Capital, LLC

Richard Kestenbaum

Partner
Triangle Capital, LLC

Richard is a co-founder and Partner of Triangle Capital and has been an investment banker for over 35 years. Richard has a great deal of experience advising clients in merchandising businesses, particularly in the Retail & Consumer sector. Richard is an often-quoted expert on the retail and merchandising industries. He is a Contributor to Forbes.com where he writes a regular blog about trends in retail and consumer product businesses. He also appears regularly in print and other media as well as industry panels and speaking programs.

Before co-founding Triangle, Richard was a Managing Director at a boutique investment banking firm called Financo, Inc. While at Financo, Richard was responsible for a majority of the firm’s apparel industry transactions. Prior to joining Financo, Richard was a Partner and First Vice President at Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc. At Drexel, Richard was responsible for a group of 14 professionals doing middle-market mergers and acquisitions around the world.

Richard is the co-author of three books on finance and computer programming. He is formerly an Adjunct Assistant Professor of International Business at the graduate program of the Stern School of Business at York University.

Richard received a BS in Accounting from New York University and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Harvard University. Richard is married and lives in New York.

Click here to read Richard’s blog and follow him on Forbes.com.

 

Caroline Fabrigas

CEO
Scent Marketing

Caroline Fabrigas

CEO
Scent Marketing

Caroline Fabrigas

CEO
Scent Marketing
 

Marie-Pierre Stark-Flora

Co-founder
HERB + FLORA

Marie-Pierre Stark-Flora

Co-founder
HERB + FLORA

Marie-Pierre Stark-Flora

Co-founder
HERB + FLORA
 

Rochelle Weitzner

Co-founder & CEO
Pause Well-Aging

Rochelle Weitzner

Co-founder & CEO
Pause Well-Aging

Rochelle Weitzner

Co-founder & CEO
Pause Well-Aging
 

Alicia Sontag

Co-Founder & Partner
Prelude Growth Partners

Ranked one of Beauty's 50 Most Powerful Women by WWD (2015), and two-time honor of Fortune Most Powerful Women conference (2015/2016), Alicia is a Co-Founder and Partner at Prelude Growth Partners. Prelude Growth Partners is a New York City based growth equity firm focused on providing capital and value-added operatingsupport to high potential, fast-growing consumer brands.

Alicia Sontag

Co-Founder & Partner
Prelude Growth Partners

Alicia Sontag

Co-Founder & Partner
Prelude Growth Partners

Ranked one of Beauty's 50 Most Powerful Women by WWD (2015), and two-time honor of Fortune Most Powerful Women conference (2015/2016), Alicia is a Co-Founder and Partner at Prelude Growth Partners. Prelude Growth Partners is a New York City based growth equity firm focused on providing capital and value-added operatingsupport to high potential, fast-growing consumer brands. Prelude seeks to make investments of $3million to $15 million in each company, across branded consumer categories including personalcare/beauty, food & beverage, baby, pet, health & wellness and other consumer categories.

 

Jon Shanahan

Co-Founder & CMO
Stryx

Jon Shanahan

Co-Founder & CMO
Stryx

Jon Shanahan

Co-Founder & CMO
Stryx
 

Donna Petretti

Head of NA Marketing
Croda

Donna Petretti

Head of NA Marketing
Croda

Donna Petretti

Head of NA Marketing
Croda
 

Liz Scott

CEO
EC Scott Group

Liz is the President at EC Scott Group where she oversees Company Strategy, Finance, Trade Marketing, Sales & Education, Communications, and the development of the Beauty and Wellness categories.  

Liz attended Wharton with a concentration in retail & marketing.  From her time at Saks Fifth Avenue, she brings respect for traditional retail, and from Gilt Group, a passionate entrepreneurial mentality, which fuels her motivation to bring brands and retailers success within the changing beauty landscape.  

Liz Scott

CEO
EC Scott Group

Liz Scott

CEO
EC Scott Group

Liz is the President at EC Scott Group where she oversees Company Strategy, Finance, Trade Marketing, Sales & Education, Communications, and the development of the Beauty and Wellness categories.  

Liz attended Wharton with a concentration in retail & marketing.  From her time at Saks Fifth Avenue, she brings respect for traditional retail, and from Gilt Group, a passionate entrepreneurial mentality, which fuels her motivation to bring brands and retailers success within the changing beauty landscape.  

EC Scott Group, founded in 2004, is the premier Sales, Service, and Training company for prestige beauty companies in the specialty retail channel in North America.  EC Scott Group’s services include everything from behind the scenes (i.e. warehousing, pick & pack, retailer headquarter management, collections), to the support in-store that makes independent retail partners successful (i.e. in-store education & training, event planning & execution, sell-through support).

 

 

Veronique Gabai

Founder & CEO
Veronique Gabai

Veronique Gabai

Founder & CEO
Veronique Gabai

Veronique Gabai

Founder & CEO
Veronique Gabai
 

Sonia Summers

Founder & CEO
Beauty Barrage

Shielded Beauty Founder & CEO Sonia Summers began her career working in-house for global powerhouses like Avon, where her team won WWD’s highly coveted “Best Executed Brand Launch” award in 2014. In 2015 she launched Beauty Barrage, an outsourced sales management agency complete with a highly successful and modern field team – helping to create signature experiences and a “human touch” at retail.

Sonia Summers

Founder & CEO
Beauty Barrage

Sonia Summers

Founder & CEO
Beauty Barrage

Shielded Beauty Founder & CEO Sonia Summers began her career working in-house for global powerhouses like Avon, where her team won WWD’s highly coveted “Best Executed Brand Launch” award in 2014. In 2015 she launched Beauty Barrage, an outsourced sales management agency complete with a highly successful and modern field team – helping to create signature experiences and a “human touch” at retail. Beauty Barrage represents an impressive portfolio of brands including: L’Oreal, PerriconeMD, The Proactiv Company, Unilever, Coty, Nudestix, Dermaflash and many others.


Back in 2020 when the COVID crisis unfolded, Sonia found herself constantly searching for a safer way to protect our skin — but she couldn’t find any highly-effective purifying products that also prioritized nourishing the skin’s microbiome. Sonia felt like she shouldn’t have to compromise on luxury for efficacy, she decided to start developing the products that she was desperately looking for herself!

 

Jill Granoff

Managing Partner & CEO
Eurazeo Brands

Jill Granoff

Managing Partner & CEO
Eurazeo Brands

Jill Granoff

Managing Partner & CEO
Eurazeo Brands
 

Romain Gaillard

Founder & CEO
The Detox Market

Romain Gaillard

Founder & CEO
The Detox Market

Romain Gaillard

Founder & CEO
The Detox Market
 

Christine Chang

Co-Founder
Glow Recipe

Christine Chang

Co-Founder
Glow Recipe

Christine Chang

Co-Founder
Glow Recipe
 

Ilya Seglin

Managing Director
Threadstone

Ilya Seglin

Managing Director
Threadstone

Ilya Seglin

Managing Director
Threadstone
 

Jen King

Director of Marketing Cosmetic Incredients, North America
Symrise

Jen King

Director of Marketing Cosmetic Incredients, North America
Symrise

Jen King

Director of Marketing Cosmetic Incredients, North America
Symrise
 

Craig Dubitsky

Founder
Hello Products

Craig Dubitsky

Founder
Hello Products

Craig Dubitsky

Founder
Hello Products
 

Jolene Maloney

Technical Marketing Manager
Croda

Jolene Maloney

Technical Marketing Manager
Croda

Jolene Maloney

Technical Marketing Manager
Croda
 

Juliana Salto

Global Account Director, Cosmetic Ingredients
Symrise

Juliana Salto

Global Account Director, Cosmetic Ingredients
Symrise

Juliana Salto

Global Account Director, Cosmetic Ingredients
Symrise
 

Keenan Beasley

Founder & CEO
Sunday II Sunday

Keenan Beasley is a successful entrepreneur, industry disrupter and visionary who embraces and utilizes technology to tell stories and influence consumers in dynamic ways. Keenan’s expertise in blending tech, art and creativity has changed the marketing landscape and opened the door to modern strategies and fresh approaches.

Keenan Beasley

Founder & CEO
Sunday II Sunday

Keenan Beasley

Founder & CEO
Sunday II Sunday

Keenan Beasley is a successful entrepreneur, industry disrupter and visionary who embraces and utilizes technology to tell stories and influence consumers in dynamic ways. Keenan’s expertise in blending tech, art and creativity has changed the marketing landscape and opened the door to modern strategies and fresh approaches.
Keenan currently serves as the CEO of Infinte Looks Inc, a textured hair care company and creators of the brand Sunday II Sunday. Keenan’s non-profit arm, Venture Noire, mentors and develops diverse entrepreneurs and provides them with access to critical resources. In 2014 Keenan started BLKBOX, a creative agency in New York City with a wide range of multinational clients, including Samsung and Diageo.
Before launching his entrepreneurial ventures, Keenan managed and led several multibillion dollar brands, including Tide, Gillette and Garnier beauty products. He served as Vice President of Marketing at L'Oréal, Associate Director at Reckitt Benckiser and Brand Manager at Procter & Gamble.
 
Keenan is a contributor to Forbes, Venture Beat, Fast Company and CNBC, an advisor to numerous start-up companies and a regular lecturer at the USC Marshall School of Business.
 
Keenan Beasley received a Bachelor of Science degree in Law and Systems Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He divides his time between New York City and Los Angeles.

 

Lauren Consiglio

Vice President
Dermalogica, Unilever Prestige

Lauren Consiglio

Vice President
Dermalogica, Unilever Prestige

Lauren Consiglio

Vice President
Dermalogica, Unilever Prestige
 

Mimi Ghosh

Middle Market Financial Sponsors Group
Bank of America

Mimi Ghosh

Middle Market Financial Sponsors Group
Bank of America

Mimi Ghosh

Middle Market Financial Sponsors Group
Bank of America
 

Sarah Lee

Co-Founder
Glow Recipe

Sarah Lee

Co-Founder
Glow Recipe

Sarah Lee

Co-Founder
Glow Recipe
 

Natalie Mackey

Co-Founder & CEO
Winky Lux

Natalie Mackey

Co-Founder & CEO
Winky Lux

Natalie Mackey

Co-Founder & CEO
Winky Lux
 

Luciana Uttembergue

Senior Technical & Marketing Manager
DSM

Luciana Uttembergue

Senior Technical & Marketing Manager
DSM

Luciana Uttembergue

Senior Technical & Marketing Manager
DSM
 

Gamze Sauzeat

Vice President of Research & Development
Beautycounter

Gamze Sauzeat

Vice President of Research & Development
Beautycounter

Gamze Sauzeat

Vice President of Research & Development
Beautycounter
 

Rebecca Hobbs

Retail & Brand Comms Editor
Stylus

At Stylus, the expert source of trends and insights, Rebecca tracks disruptive shifts within the retail and brand comms landscape in order to define the future direction of store concepts, online engagement and technology. Particularly fascinated by the attitudinal shifts underpinning changes in brand culture, she previously spent three years as senior fashion reporter at industry title Retail Week, where she gained extensive experience of the retail sector, providing thought-leadership on topical issues and appearing on national news programmes as an industry expert.

Rebecca Hobbs

Retail & Brand Comms Editor
Stylus

Rebecca Hobbs

Retail & Brand Comms Editor
Stylus

At Stylus, the expert source of trends and insights, Rebecca tracks disruptive shifts within the retail and brand comms landscape in order to define the future direction of store concepts, online engagement and technology. Particularly fascinated by the attitudinal shifts underpinning changes in brand culture, she previously spent three years as senior fashion reporter at industry title Retail Week, where she gained extensive experience of the retail sector, providing thought-leadership on topical issues and appearing on national news programmes as an industry expert.

 

Denae Rocha

Senior Supply Chain Manager
Madison Reed

Denae Rocha

Senior Supply Chain Manager
Madison Reed

Denae Rocha

Senior Supply Chain Manager
Madison Reed
 

Vanessa Kuykendall

VP Business Development
Market Defense

In her 25+ year history in beauty retail, Vanessa Kuykendall has led teams and driven revenue in brick & mortar, E-Commerce, and now Amazon. A founding partner at Market Defense, Vanessa leads Client Delivery where her team protects brand equity and drives profitable growth in the Amazon Marketplace. They provide a full suite of services including Account Management, Brand Protection, Logistics & Operations, Advertising, and Creative for beauty brands like Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, this Works and Beauty Bakerie; the average YoY increase in their portfolio was 75% over 2021.

Vanessa Kuykendall

VP Business Development
Market Defense

Vanessa Kuykendall

VP Business Development
Market Defense

In her 25+ year history in beauty retail, Vanessa Kuykendall has led teams and driven revenue in brick & mortar, E-Commerce, and now Amazon. A founding partner at Market Defense, Vanessa leads Client Delivery where her team protects brand equity and drives profitable growth in the Amazon Marketplace. They provide a full suite of services including Account Management, Brand Protection, Logistics & Operations, Advertising, and Creative for beauty brands like Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, this Works and Beauty Bakerie; the average YoY increase in their portfolio was 75% over 2021. Her past roles include Sales, Merchandising and Marketing at MAC Cosmetics, Tiffany & Co., The Body Shop, Estee Lauder, Walgreens and Beauty.com, the first prestige beauty retailer to sponsor NY Fashion week shows.

 

Julian Chu

President
Market Defense

Julian Chu

President
Market Defense

Julian Chu

President
Market Defense
 

Luciana Uttembergue

Senior Technical & Marketing Manager
DSM

Luciana Uttembergue

Senior Technical & Marketing Manager
DSM

Luciana Uttembergue

Senior Technical & Marketing Manager
DSM
 

Azin Tehran-Kafai

Head of Social Impact & Sustainability
The Inkey List, Be for Beauty

Azin Tehran-Kafai

Head of Social Impact & Sustainability
The Inkey List, Be for Beauty

Azin Tehran-Kafai

Head of Social Impact & Sustainability
The Inkey List, Be for Beauty
 

Catherine Collins

Founder & CEO
Constellar Consultancy

Catherine Collins

Founder & CEO
Constellar Consultancy

Catherine Collins

Founder & CEO
Constellar Consultancy

CALLING ALL INDIE BRANDS!

INDIE BRAND DIRECTORY

This year, we have an exciting addition for additional brand exposure! All independent beauty brands that register to attend Beauty Connect: Coast to Coast are eligible to be advertised in the Indie Brand Directory on our virtual platform for all attendees, speakers and partners to view.

In the directory, your brand name, logo, lead email and website or social media link will be advertized alongside a direct link for viewers to book a meeting with your representative through the networking platform.

Contact us at [email protected] for any questions regarding the brand directory!

Beauty Connect: Mentorship Program

Are you an indie brand looking for advice on how to grow your brand?

Our dedicated mentorship sessions are the perfect opportunity for you to get in the room with the thought leaders from the beauty industry!

Our dedicated sessions will focus on:

  • Investment

  • Managing growth & profitability

  • Logistics of distribution

  • Connecting with retailers

  • Maximising your brand value in M&A

  • Customer engagement online & in-store

MEET OUR 2021 MENTORS

Author:

Oliver Garfield

CEO
CosBar

Oliver Garfield

CEO
CosBar

Author:

Rich Gersten

Co-Founder & Managing Partner
True Beauty Capital

Rich has spent the last 30 years investing and building great consumer brands at top private equity firms including Tengram Capital Partners, L Catterton, and North Castle Partners. Rich spent the last 9 years dedicated specifically to investing in the beauty industry, where he developed an extensive network of relationships that sourced many emerging growth brands with very limited access to institutional capital. Realizing the significant opportunity to address this underserved area of the market in beauty, Rich founded True Beauty Ventures.

Rich received a BS in Economics from Union College (N.Y.) and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Rich Gersten

Co-Founder & Managing Partner
True Beauty Capital

Rich has spent the last 30 years investing and building great consumer brands at top private equity firms including Tengram Capital Partners, L Catterton, and North Castle Partners. Rich spent the last 9 years dedicated specifically to investing in the beauty industry, where he developed an extensive network of relationships that sourced many emerging growth brands with very limited access to institutional capital. Realizing the significant opportunity to address this underserved area of the market in beauty, Rich founded True Beauty Ventures.

Rich received a BS in Economics from Union College (N.Y.) and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Author:

Liz Scott

CEO
EC Scott Group

Liz is the President at EC Scott Group where she oversees Company Strategy, Finance, Trade Marketing, Sales & Education, Communications, and the development of the Beauty and Wellness categories.  

Liz attended Wharton with a concentration in retail & marketing.  From her time at Saks Fifth Avenue, she brings respect for traditional retail, and from Gilt Group, a passionate entrepreneurial mentality, which fuels her motivation to bring brands and retailers success within the changing beauty landscape.  

EC Scott Group, founded in 2004, is the premier Sales, Service, and Training company for prestige beauty companies in the specialty retail channel in North America.  EC Scott Group’s services include everything from behind the scenes (i.e. warehousing, pick & pack, retailer headquarter management, collections), to the support in-store that makes independent retail partners successful (i.e. in-store education & training, event planning & execution, sell-through support).

 

Liz Scott

CEO
EC Scott Group

Liz is the President at EC Scott Group where she oversees Company Strategy, Finance, Trade Marketing, Sales & Education, Communications, and the development of the Beauty and Wellness categories.  

Liz attended Wharton with a concentration in retail & marketing.  From her time at Saks Fifth Avenue, she brings respect for traditional retail, and from Gilt Group, a passionate entrepreneurial mentality, which fuels her motivation to bring brands and retailers success within the changing beauty landscape.  

EC Scott Group, founded in 2004, is the premier Sales, Service, and Training company for prestige beauty companies in the specialty retail channel in North America.  EC Scott Group’s services include everything from behind the scenes (i.e. warehousing, pick & pack, retailer headquarter management, collections), to the support in-store that makes independent retail partners successful (i.e. in-store education & training, event planning & execution, sell-through support).

 

Author:

Mimi Ghosh

Middle Market Financial Sponsors Group
Bank of America

Mimi Ghosh

Middle Market Financial Sponsors Group
Bank of America

Author:

Conor Begley

Co-founder
Tribe Dynamics

Conor Begley

Co-founder
Tribe Dynamics

Author:

Cristina Nuñez

Co-Founder and General Partner
True Beauty Ventures

Cristina Nuñez is Co-Founder and General Partner of True Beauty Ventures. True Beauty Ventures is an emerging growth fund focused on investing exclusively in beauty and wellness brands. With 16 years of CPG experience, Cristina offers a unique combination of investing and operating expertise having spent the first part of her career at private equity firms Tengram Capital and L Catterton, as well as UBS Investment Bank. Cristina has also held executive leadership and operating roles in beauty and wellness companies such as Clark’s Botanicals, where she was the GM and COO, as well as Laura Geller Beauty and Equinox. 

As Co-Founder of True Beauty Ventures, Cristina brings a valuable perspective to early-stage brand founders as both an investor and operator with deep sector expertise in beauty. Cristina graduated Magna Cum Laude from Duke University with a BA with Highest Distinction in Public Policy Studies.

Cristina Nuñez

Co-Founder and General Partner
True Beauty Ventures

Cristina Nuñez is Co-Founder and General Partner of True Beauty Ventures. True Beauty Ventures is an emerging growth fund focused on investing exclusively in beauty and wellness brands. With 16 years of CPG experience, Cristina offers a unique combination of investing and operating expertise having spent the first part of her career at private equity firms Tengram Capital and L Catterton, as well as UBS Investment Bank. Cristina has also held executive leadership and operating roles in beauty and wellness companies such as Clark’s Botanicals, where she was the GM and COO, as well as Laura Geller Beauty and Equinox. 

As Co-Founder of True Beauty Ventures, Cristina brings a valuable perspective to early-stage brand founders as both an investor and operator with deep sector expertise in beauty. Cristina graduated Magna Cum Laude from Duke University with a BA with Highest Distinction in Public Policy Studies.

Author:

Richard Kestenbaum

Partner
Triangle Capital, LLC

Richard is a co-founder and Partner of Triangle Capital and has been an investment banker for over 35 years. Richard has a great deal of experience advising clients in merchandising businesses, particularly in the Retail & Consumer sector. Richard is an often-quoted expert on the retail and merchandising industries. He is a Contributor to Forbes.com where he writes a regular blog about trends in retail and consumer product businesses. He also appears regularly in print and other media as well as industry panels and speaking programs.

Before co-founding Triangle, Richard was a Managing Director at a boutique investment banking firm called Financo, Inc. While at Financo, Richard was responsible for a majority of the firm’s apparel industry transactions. Prior to joining Financo, Richard was a Partner and First Vice President at Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc. At Drexel, Richard was responsible for a group of 14 professionals doing middle-market mergers and acquisitions around the world.

Richard is the co-author of three books on finance and computer programming. He is formerly an Adjunct Assistant Professor of International Business at the graduate program of the Stern School of Business at York University.

Richard received a BS in Accounting from New York University and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Harvard University. Richard is married and lives in New York.

Click here to read Richard’s blog and follow him on Forbes.com.

Richard Kestenbaum

Partner
Triangle Capital, LLC

Richard is a co-founder and Partner of Triangle Capital and has been an investment banker for over 35 years. Richard has a great deal of experience advising clients in merchandising businesses, particularly in the Retail & Consumer sector. Richard is an often-quoted expert on the retail and merchandising industries. He is a Contributor to Forbes.com where he writes a regular blog about trends in retail and consumer product businesses. He also appears regularly in print and other media as well as industry panels and speaking programs.

Before co-founding Triangle, Richard was a Managing Director at a boutique investment banking firm called Financo, Inc. While at Financo, Richard was responsible for a majority of the firm’s apparel industry transactions. Prior to joining Financo, Richard was a Partner and First Vice President at Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc. At Drexel, Richard was responsible for a group of 14 professionals doing middle-market mergers and acquisitions around the world.

Richard is the co-author of three books on finance and computer programming. He is formerly an Adjunct Assistant Professor of International Business at the graduate program of the Stern School of Business at York University.

Richard received a BS in Accounting from New York University and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Harvard University. Richard is married and lives in New York.

Click here to read Richard’s blog and follow him on Forbes.com.

Author:

Alicia Sontag

Co-Founder & Partner
Prelude Growth Partners

Ranked one of Beauty's 50 Most Powerful Women by WWD (2015), and two-time honor of Fortune Most Powerful Women conference (2015/2016), Alicia is a Co-Founder and Partner at Prelude Growth Partners. Prelude Growth Partners is a New York City based growth equity firm focused on providing capital and value-added operatingsupport to high potential, fast-growing consumer brands. Prelude seeks to make investments of $3million to $15 million in each company, across branded consumer categories including personalcare/beauty, food & beverage, baby, pet, health & wellness and other consumer categories.

Alicia Sontag

Co-Founder & Partner
Prelude Growth Partners

Ranked one of Beauty's 50 Most Powerful Women by WWD (2015), and two-time honor of Fortune Most Powerful Women conference (2015/2016), Alicia is a Co-Founder and Partner at Prelude Growth Partners. Prelude Growth Partners is a New York City based growth equity firm focused on providing capital and value-added operatingsupport to high potential, fast-growing consumer brands. Prelude seeks to make investments of $3million to $15 million in each company, across branded consumer categories including personalcare/beauty, food & beverage, baby, pet, health & wellness and other consumer categories.

Author:

Kevin Gould

Founder & CEO
Kombo Ventures

Kevin Gould

Founder & CEO
Kombo Ventures

Author:

Joel Palix

Founder
Palix Unlimited

Joel Palix

Founder
Palix Unlimited

How can you take advantage of this opportunity?

You will need to be registered to attend Beauty Connect: Coast to Coast and complete an application for the mentorship program below! Our mentors will then select the brands they’d like to speak with and you’ll be informed of their decisions by mid-April. Sessions will be held the week of the conference and the week following.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED 

Please note this is not a pitching session, but an opportunity for you to gain honest advice on key challenges your brand might be facing. Take away tips and tricks on how to grow your business, harness digital engagement, maximize your brand value and increase profitability.

DOWNLOAD AGENDA

Fill in the following form and we'll send you a PDF immediately. We need some information to know where to send the file and how to address our email to you.

Download 2021 Agenda

Resources

REGISTER TO ATTEND

Sending Your Team? Group Discounts Available!

Applicable for Primary Market, Service Provider and Industry Rates Only. Not available for Academic or ‘Start-Up’ rates

Book a Team of 3+ - Save an Additional 10% Off
Book a Team of 5+ - Save an Additional 15% Off

If you would like to register a team of 3 or more, please email [email protected] for your discount coupon code before registering. PLEASE NOTE: Discounts cannot be combined with Early Bird Pricing or any other discount or offer. If you have any questions about your registration, please call us on +44 (0)20 3696 2920

We accept the following cards through Stripe:

Ticket price will increase in

Preparing registration...

The Virtual Experience

Top 10 benefits

- Tailor Your Agenda 

- More Audience Participation

- Improved Audience Visibility 

- On-Demand Content

- High Quality Speakers 

- More Networking Opportunities 

- Save Time & Money 

- Increased Content 

- More insights 

- Business Development Opportunities - Talk to our team to find out out more [email protected].

Platform Preview

About Kisaco Research

Kisaco Research produces, designs and hosts B2B industry conferences, exhibitions and communities – focused on a specialized selection of topic areas.

Meet industry peers that will help build a career-changing network for life.

Learn from the mistakes of your peers as much as their successes—ambitious industry stalwarts who are happy to share not just what has made them successful so far but also their plans for future proofing their companies.

Note down the inspired insight that will form the foundation for future strategies and roadmaps, both at our events and through our online communities.

Invest both in your company growth and your own personal development by signing up to one of our events and get started.

Contact Us