Founder, Thrive Natural Sales

Craig’s career in the natural food industry began more than a decade ago. Over a five-year span, Craig worked as Whole Foods Market Account Manager in the Midwest and also as KeHE business manager. Craig would eventually be given an opportunity to become the National Account Manager for Adagio Teas, Natural and Conventional channels.

In 2012, Craig joined the IGNITE Sales Management team where he was responsible for managing retailers across the Natural and Conventional channels as well as UNFI and KeHE. During his time with IGNITE, Craig played a valuable role in the growth, development, and management of many well known brands across a variety of categories. In May, 2016 Craig founded Thrive Natural Sales. Craig’s greatest accomplishments are as a husband to Emily and as a father to Kayeden, Ivy Lynn, and Blake. He resides with his family in Kansas City.

Principal, Natural Products Consulting

As a consultant since 1998, Bob provides assistance in bringing natural, organic and specialty products to market across most classes of trade. This includes work in strategic planning, growth strategies, writing sales, marketing and business plans, budgeting, pricing, building distribution, broker selection and management, organizational development, strategic options, branding and trade spending management.

He is also the co-author and co-publisher of the Natural Products Field Manual, Fourth Edition and The Sales Manager’s Handbook. Prior to consulting, Bob was with Stonyfield Farm Yogurt for 11 years as Vice President, Sales & Corporate Development and Vice President, Marketing & Sales. He has held marketing positions with Colombo, Inc. and Sperry Top-Sider. He received an MBA from Babson College.

Vice President of Brand Services, CPG Mentor

Prompted by health concerns in her family, Karen began studying natural foods and medicines at age 12. In her formative years, Karen studied traditional herbalism with Gladys Hadju and David Winston, and spent six years studying traditional midwifery and women’s health, both academically and in practice (including foreign aid midwifery journeys to Indonesia and Haiti).

Karen has worked the last 28 years in the natural products industry and was the owner and force behind Topline Marketing, a highly successful regional sales and marketing brokerage in the natural products industry which she sold in 2012 to the most respected independent national brokerage in the U.S. – PRESENCE.

Karen is now the Vice President of Brand Services at PRESENCE, where she oversees her team and the go-to market strategies for brands.

Founder, Maggiore’s Sales

John founded Maggiore’s Sales in 2003, after spending many years on the retail side as a Buyer and Category Manager. His last position was the Category Manager of Natural Foods for Stop & Shop, a division of Ahold.  

John’s consultant business specializes in sales strategy for natural, organic and specialty food brands looking to enter and/or expand their business within the mainstream supermarket channel. Key initiatives many companies utilize John for are trade promotion development and budgeting, new item creation and placement, and marketing ideas to increase sales.

CPG Life Coach, CPG Mentor

With over three decades of experience in the CPG industry, Polly has honed her leadership skills and made significant contributions to multiple companies, receiving recognition for her achievements such as the Top Women in Grocery award from Progressive Grocer in 2019 along with other recognitions of her commitment to contributing to diversity initiatives in the industry.

As a coach and mentor, Polly founded CPG Mentor to fill a gap in support for women in her industry. She provides tailored tools and strategies to help clients build their personal brand, network effectively, and present themselves in the best light to potential employers. Her individualized approach sets her apart from other programs, as she walks alongside her clients on their journey to growth.

Founder, Cultivate Creations

With a deep-rooted mission to help people live more mindfully, Vanessa partners with entrepreneurs and emerging brands, to create sound strategies that ignite consumer love and fuel expansive growth.

Vanessa's personal commitment to organic and natural products shines through everything she does. Passionate about smart design, breakthrough integrated marketing, and innovative ideas, Vanessa is the visionary founder of Cultivate Creations. Her boutique consultancy specializes in brand strategy, marketing, and innovation.

Before embarking on her consulting journey, Vanessa held pivotal roles in brand strategy and management at Grey Advertising and E. & J. Gallo Winery. She proudly serves as a Founding Board Member of Naturally Bay Area and holds an MBA in Marketing and Strategy from UCLA Anderson.