Stealth Mode Startup

Co-Founder & CEO

Lola Dating

Advisor

- First non-technical employee hired to lead marketing & user acquisition of category-disrupting dating app.
- Collaborated with founders to establish vision, mission, brand positioning, value propositions, messaging.
- Developed business plan, revenue plan, marketing plan, growth roadmap, brand and media partnerships.
- Stood up marketing function and channels; hired and supervised agencies, freelancers, team members.
- Acquired +10,000 registered users in first 6 months at target CPI; successfully launched app in Boston.

CEO & CMO

PetPlate

Board Advisor

- Successfully led operations of pioneering pet food company in human-grade, fresh-cooked/baked space.
- Achieved triple-digit YoY growth through strategic DTC marketing, brand building, eComm and retail sales. 
- Secured multiple rounds of funding, built out critical functional areas, and grew team to ~50 employees.
- Full P&L responsibility; led 7-person executive team; chaired monthly and quarterly board meetings.
- Evolved from single product DTC subscription commerce to multi-product omni-channel business.

CEO & Board Director

BrandProject LP

- Early-stage VC fund that incubates, accelerates and scales consumer brands in the U.S. and Canada.
- Led business development efforts to create a pipeline of investment opportunities in the U.S. market.
- Oversaw pre-seed investment in PetPlate; became Interim CEO prior to joining company full-time.

Vice President of Business Development

LivTruFoods

- BeyondSKU: CPG Accelerator, wraparound infrastructure and advanced operations support; mentor.
- Barcode: plant-based, adaptogen-powered functional beverage, available nationwide; seed stage investor.
- Candid: BFY chocolate snacks Noons, Goldies, Cashies, available in key markets; seed stage investor.
- Ruby's Naturals: BFY frozen novelty products Ruby Rockets, Brewla Beverage Pops; board observer.
- Conics Foods: patented baking equipment for cone-shaped, savory & sweet dough products; investor.

Investor, Mentor, Board Observer

Inventages Venture Capital

- Investment arm of Nestle SA specializing in PIPES, seed, early, mid, and late stage venture investments.
- Deal flow; competitive research; industry & consumer trend analysis; due diligence; negotiate deal terms.
- Provide direct consulting services to portfolio companies: brand strategy, strategic growth, marketing.

Venture Partner

MetaBrand Capital

- Investment arm of consulting firm specializing in food & beverage, supplement, personal care industries. 
- Deal flow; competitive research; industry & consumer trend analysis; due diligence; negotiate deal terms.
- Provide direct consulting services to portfolio companies: brand strategy, strategic growth, marketing.

Operating Partner

Palm Venture Studios

- Led development of Palm Foods, a QSR featuring healthy, handheld foods in walk-up / drive-thru format.
- Business planning; site selection; org design; menu & product development; branding & marketing.
- Deal flow: natural, organic, BFY, functional food & beverage products, including an IP licensing deal.

Head of Retail

Tasti D-Lite

- Revitalized iconic frozen dessert chain Tasti D-Lite, sold to Thomas H. Lee & Snow Phipps Group.
- Led transaction; oversaw due diligence, legal, financial, accounting; onboarded new management.
- Expanded from 30 to 90 stores across 9 states through expansion of wholesale & licensing program.
- Developed operations manual and engaged WD Partners to design prototype store to drive profitability.
- Brand management; communications; menu development; promotions; POS signage; customer service.

Head of Growth

Global Name Registry

- First non-technical employee hired to spearhead marketing for .name top-level domain (TLD) registry. 
- Hired and managed online marketing agency Digitas and global communications agency Porter Novelli.
- Secured $75 million in paid media across EMEA and North America, driving web traffic and registrations.
- Provided board-level reporting to CEO and participated in meetings with lead VC, Carlyle Europe Partners.

Marketing Communications Director

Data-driven marketer and brand builder turned corporate executive with extensive background in strategic planning, fundraising, and board management. Passion for building, leading and motivating teams to deliver excellent performance and desired results. End-to-end knowledge, skills and experience launching, innovating and growing consumer businesses from inception to exit. Verticals include F&B, pet food, personal care, consumer tech.

General Management / Full P&L Responsibility / Board Management / Strategic Planning / Corporate Infrastructure / Fundraising / Business Development / Product Development / Branding / Marketing / Communications & PR / Manufacturing / Operations / Omni-Channel Distribution / DTC / Retail / eCommerce / Subscription Commerce

Taplio

Gertrude Allen's Linkedin Analytics

Want to drive more opportunities from LinkedIn?

Taplio

.css-1jgreyo{background-image:linear-gradient(284deg, rgba(39,43,72,1) 0%, rgba(33,47,183,1) 100%);color:transparent;-webkit-background-clip:text;background-clip:text;}Gertrude Allen's Linkedin Analytics

Want to drive more opportunities from LinkedIn?

Gertrude Allen's Linkedin Analytics