Thought leaders
take the stage

Zac Hawtof is the founder and CEO of Tighknit, a forward-thinking company at the forefront of e-commerce innovation. With a deep understanding of digital retail and a passion for building technology-driven solutions, Zac has transformed Tighknit into a trusted partner for brands seeking to enhance customer engagement and drive growth. His visionary leadership and expertise continue to set new standards for personalized, seamless shopping experiences in today’s dynamic market.

 Colin Waters is the Customer Experience Manager for Warranty and Support at Caraway Home, where he focuses on enhancing post-purchase experiences and fostering long-term customer loyalty. With a track record of transforming CX strategies at companies like The Feed and BrüMate, Colin brings a proven approach to scaling customer support operations and driving impactful results. At Caraway, he is dedicated to ensuring customers feel supported well beyond the point of purchase, aligning with the brand's commitment to quality and thoughtful design

Maya Juchman is a seasoned marketing and communications professional at Roswell Group, where she drives innovative brand strategies and integrated campaigns for a diverse range of clients. With a strong background in strategic communications and creative storytelling, Maya consistently delivers impactful results that elevate brand performance and engage audiences across multiple platforms. Her forward-thinking approach and dedication to excellence make her an invaluable asset in today's dynamic marketing landscape.

Lucas Ballasy is the CEO of Barrel, an investor in early-stage businesses, and a founding partner of Barrel Holdings, a portfolio of agencies.

For over 12 years at Barrel, Lucas has shaped the online experiences of some of the most-loved consumer brands. With a degree in graphic and interactive design, he brings deep expertise in blending data with brand storytelling to strengthen customer connections and drive growth.

Lucas shares insights on leadership and life in his weekly newsletter, Borrowed, Learned & Thought (BL&T). Whether consulting on Shopify web experiences, balancing his roles (dad, husband, leader, so on), or training for his next fitness pursuit, he’s passionate about leading an integrated life where work and personal growth fuel each other.

With over 12 years of experience in brand management and growth marketing strategy, Tanner Flitter excels at driving meaningful customer interactions and building powerful brand identities across diverse industry verticals. His experience spans working with top brands like think! (part of Glanbia Performance Nutrition, the world's #1 performance nutrition company) and Super Coffee (the #3 bottled coffee brand in the US, behind only Starbucks and Dunkin').

Rooted in the startup ecosystem, Flitter brings a sharp entrepreneurial mindset, thriving in fast-paced, creative environments where innovation and agility are key. His expertise includes cross-functional leadership, budget management, e-commerce, data analysis, PLG, performance marketing, digital advertising, CRO, customer lifecycle management, social media, content strategy, and SEO/SEM. He is also skilled in public speaking, event planning, and driving collaborative success through strong interpersonal communications.

Jay Hunter is an entrepreneurial executive specializing in scaling consumer-packaged goods brands through strategic leadership, omnichannel marketing, and data-driven growth. With a proven track record in scaling e-commerce businesses, optimizing paid media performance, and executing data-driven operational strategies, he builds high-performing teams and creates scalable systems that drive sustainable revenue, profitability, and market share expansion.

As a people-first leader, Hunter cultivates a culture of innovation and collaboration, empowering teams to execute with excellence. He combines big-picture vision with a hands-on, results-driven approach—balancing creativity, analytics, and operational precision to deliver meaningful business impact. His expertise spans full-funnel marketing, brand storytelling, and infrastructure development, ensuring brands thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Jarred Goldberg, MS has a diverse range of work experience. Jarred is currently serving as the co-CEO & Managing Partner at d.Luxury Brands. Prior to that, they worked as a Freelance Consultant, specializing in executive marketing consulting. Jarred also served as a Member of the Board of Advisors at BEAR BRANDS, LLC.

Some of Jarred's notable roles include Chief Marketing Officer at Beauty By Design, where they played a key role in disrupting the skincare industry through personalized skincare products and innovative shopping experiences. Jarred also held the position of Chief Marketing Officer at The Bouqs Company, where they contributed to the company's marketing strategies.

Jarred's experience in the fashion industry includes their tenure at REVOLVE, where they held various positions such as Head of Marketing - Vice President Marketing, Senior Director of Marketing, and Director of Marketing. Jarred was responsible for driving significant growth through performance marketing, brand marketing, and digital experience efforts.

Before their career in marketing, Jarred worked as a Marketing Consultant at Convergance Media, LLC, where they provided their expertise in marketing strategies. Additionally, they gained experience as a CEO at Goldberg Capital Group, Inc, overseeing a mortgage broker operation, and as a CEO of DJAM Inc, operating an online eCommerce business.

Through their various roles, Jarred Goldberg has demonstrated strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a successful track record in driving revenue growth and executing complex marketing strategies.

Jarred Goldberg completed their Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Administration and Marketing from the University of Louisville, where they studied from 1996 to 2000. Jarred later pursued their Master of Science degree in Internet Marketing from Full Sail University, completing it in 2010.

Sara Pereda, a seasoned professional with a background in Fortune 500 companies like Disney and Netflix, as well as entrepreneurial ventures such as MuteSix and DMS (now Waystone), is the Senior Partner Manager at Yotpo, an eCommerce marketing platform.

Adept at fostering strategic partnerships, Sara specializes in scaling organizations through streamlined operations and cultivating relationships that enhance work culture. With expertise ranging from offshore compliance to tech stack implementation, she drives collaborative efforts to deliver unified, data-driven solutions.

Sara is also the founder of a thriving community with over 1,800 partnerships members, created less than three years ago, showcasing her prowess in building and nurturing valuable networks.

Currently leading go-to-market initiatives for integrated tech partners at Yotpo, Sara empowers partners working with brands like Princess Polly, Rothy’s, Moroccanoil, and Steve Madden, facilitating cohesive experiences that fuel eCommerce growth and customer retention.

As the Co-Owner and VP/CMO of MKC, Brandon Horoho leverages his decades-long e-commerce and product marketing experience to build an engaged, hundreds-of-thousands-strong audience. He also spearheads MKC’s people-first culture, focused on treating employees with deep respect while delivering an unmatched customer experience.

After launching over 1,500 individual products and overseeing dozens of brand books in the outdoor and fitness industries, Brandon met Master Bladesmith Josh Smith in 2020. Recognizing their shared goal of revitalizing American manufacturing through an inspiring brand and passionate community, they founded Montana Knife Company (MKC). Since its founding, MKC has exploded into an eight-figure business with almost 40 dedicated employees.

Brandon grew up in the Appalachian Mountains, where his blue-collar, outdoor-embracing family instilled in him a deep love of nature and an appreciation for hard work. Brandon enjoys spending free time outdoors with family, instilling in his kids the same natural awe and love he’s carried since childhood.