BREAKOUT SESSIONS

2:15 – 3:30PM

From Start Up to Finish: The Entrepreneurship Journey

Starting a business is a journey with unique challenges and opportunities along the way. Our panel of successful entrepreneurs share their experiences from the initial startup phase all the way through achieving success.

Brandon Hill CEO, Vori

Brandon Hill is the CEO of Vori, the only modern B2B operating system for the grocery industry. Their technology democratizes access to the local, national, and global food supply, and streamlines operations for grocery retailers and suppliers–reducing the time it takes them to manage the inventory ordering process by up to 80%.

Clara Paye CEO, UNITE

As the CEO and founder of UNiTE Clara Paye’s mission is to build a bigger, more inclusive wellness table one where everyone is invited to have a seat. On a mission to prove diversity is delicious, UNiTE launched in March of 2020 with a line of protein bars in culturally diverse flavors. Since then, the Brand has been quickly growing and UNiTE is sold in major retailers nationwide and online.

Steven Tang

Co Founder, CEO, Drunkfruit

Steven Tang is the founder and CEO of Drunk Fruit, a startup bringing Asian alcoholic beverages into the mainstream US retail market. Before starting the company, Steven built consumer tech products at places like Instagram and Twitch.

Subriana Pierce

Managing Partner, Navigator Sales & Marketing (Moderator)

Subriana Pierce is a sought after thought leader in the grocery industry. Over 25 years in the grocery industry, both at Albertsons as Senior Vice President and various sales and marketing roles at Frito Lay, Subriana embarked on a vision with her husband and launched Navigator Sales and Marketing. Navigator is a full service brokerage and merchandising company representing about 30 consumer packaged goods brands across over 18,000 stores nationally. In addition, they launched a 501c3 foundation to support more early stage women and minority CPG entrepreneurs to help them get the education needed to succeed in grocery.

2:15 – 3:30PM

How do you lead in a category and a world that is not yet defined?

How business is conducted is continually evolving with new terminology and sectors emerging on an annual basis. Who was familiar with cryptocurrency, blockchain, bitcoin and NFT a few years ago? Furthermore, companies like SpaceX are paving the way for businesses to enter a field that was previously inaccessible to private companies. And technology advances in the areas of virtual reality and artificial intelligence have expanded opportunities. Learn about the unique challenges facing leaders in these emerging fields and how they will help us prepare for the next wave.

Ramsay Brown, BA ’07, MS ’15

CEO, The AI Responsibility Lab

Over the past decade Ramsay Brown has had the privilege to lead where technology, innovation, and human flourishing meet: including pioneering work in brain architecture, theoretical chemistry, behavioral engineering, digital therapeutics, and artificial intelligence safety. As a technical executive, his passion lies in fusing business acumen and technical expertise with foresight and servant leadership to turn science fiction into science fact. Guided by an intergenerational commitment to the promotion of truth and beauty, Ramsay animates his highest calling in leading teams that improve the state of the world by accelerating the state of the art.

Josh Sackman, BS ’04

President and Co Founder, Applied VR

Josh Sackman is the President and Cofounder of AppliedVR, a digital health company developing a new category of immersive therapeutics. AppliedVR developed the first FDAauthorized virtual reality therapeutic medical device for the treatment of chronic low back pain. Josh’s own experience with childhood chronic pain shaped his career path towards wanting to create a positive impact on the health of others. He quickly transitioned from leading digital technology development and marketing teams for consumer health and technology companies scaling businesses from $30M to $600M to starting his own entrepreneurial journey. Josh’s firm belief in the power of technology to create meaningful connections, tools, and access to information to positively change our health and behavior shaped his vision for AppliedVR.

Gefferie Yee-Madera, BS ’86, MS ’90

Vice President of Engineering, Strategic Space Systems Division, Northrop Grumman

As the VP of Engineering for the Strategic Space Systems Division, Gefferie Yee-Madera is responsible for leading the engineering execution across all programs and new business activities across the division. She is also responsible for engineering strategy, resources, training and career development, implementation and effectiveness measurement, as well as processes and procedures across the division.

Nathanael Fast

Jorge Paulo and Susanna Lemann Chair in Entrepreneurship and Associate Professor of Management and Organization; Director of the Neely Center for Ethical Leadership and Decision Making; Co-Director of the Psychology of Technology Institute, USC Marshall School of Business (Moderator)

Nathanael Fast studies the psychological underpinnings of power, leadership, and technology adoption. His research examines how power and status hierarchies shape decision making, how people’s identities shape their professional networks, and how AI is shaping the future of humanity. He received his PhD in Organizational Behavior from Stanford University and has been on the faculty at USC since 2009.

2:15 – 3:30PM

Doing Good by Doing Well: How Businesses can extend their impact beyond their bottom line

In today’s competitive market, how companies lead influences how they attract and retain employees and customers. Businesses are evaluated based not only on their products and services, but on how they contribute to the overall good of society. Organizations that promote sustainability, encourage employee wellness and support philanthropic efforts are just a few examples. Hear from a panel of leaders empowering organizations to have meaningful social impact.

Sally Chan, BS ’02, MBA ’11 Vice President, Community Engagement, Warner Bros. Discovery

Sally Chan is a seasoned Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) executive with more than 20 years of experience in social impact marketing, multi-stakeholder engagement (investor relations, employee and community engagement, etc.), supply chain management, sustainability, philanthropy and reporting. In her current role as Vice President, Community Engagement, Sally is responsible for working with government and community leaders to oversee community outreach efforts on behalf of film and television shows, creating workforce training and development opportunities for underrepresented groups, and guiding transportation demand management strategies.

Patty Covarrubios, BS ’02, MA ’08 Director, Rise Program, Redfin

Patty Covarrubias is the Director of the Rise Program at Redfin where she is responsible for developing and executing the company’s philanthropic initiatives. In this role, she builds partnerships with nonprofit organizations, manages team member engagement opportunities, directs program marketing and communication efforts, and oversees key strategies to support underserved and low income communities. She is a seasoned professional with experience in leading key programs and initiatives that have advanced the performance and recognition of various companies as responsible and sustainable.

Stephanie Lomibao, MPP ’05 SVP/Philanthropy Program Director, Bank of America

Stephanie Lomibao is a philanthropy director for the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. As part of the Environmental Social Governance team, Stephanie helps deliver the bank’s signature philanthropic initiatives and programs and integrate them across the company’s global enterprise platforms including diversity, equity & inclusion, local market engagement, employee volunteerism and thought leadership. In her current leadership role as the community program owner for the Foundation’s Leadership Pillar, Stephanie works with a team to leverage Neighborhood Builders, Student Leaders, Better Money Habits, and Driving Impact Webinar Series to help advance social progress and economic mobility.

Greys Sošić Department Chair, E. Morgan Stanley Chair in Business Administration and Professor of Data Sciences and Operations, USC Marshall School of Business (Moderator)

Greys Sošić holds a PhD from the University of British Columbia, and a master's and a bachelor's degree from the University of Zagreb, Croatia. Her research interests include supply chain management, sustainability, competition and cooperation in supply chains, with emphasis on coalition stability. Her work has been published in journals such as Management Science, Operations Research, M&SOM, and POMS. She has been teaching courses on supply chain management, sustainability, and sourcing.