ALIZA LICHT is an award-winning marketer, bestselling author, podcaster, personal branding expert, and the founder of LEAVE YOUR MARK, a multimedia brand and consultancy. She advises businesses and mentors individuals on brand building and career development. Licht leverages over two decades of expertise in marketing, communications, and digital strategy in the fashion industry. She was named one of "America's Next Top Mentors" by The New York Times and Business Insider's "Top 20 Most Innovative Career Coaches."

As a social media pioneer and one of the first fashion influencers, Licht created and was the voice of the anonymous social media phenomenon DKNY PR GIRL. Licht is a sought-after keynote speaker and sits on several industry boards. Her first book, Leave Your Mark, was published in 2015. Her new book, On Brand: Shape Your Narrative. Share Your Vision. Shift Their Perception is a comprehensive roadmap to building your personal brand. She lives in New York City with her husband, two children, and two dogs. Find her online at alizalicht.com and @alizalichtxo.

Interviewed by Kate Doerge. 

Adrien Nussenbaum is co-founder and co-CEO at Mirakl and author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller The Online Marketplace Advantage. An entrepreneur in all things technology and digital transformation, Adrien began his career during the height of the dot com boom, with successful stints as a company founder and an advisor to retailers in the throes of company turnarounds and transformations. He has remained involved in this transformation mission to this day.

In 2005, Adrien joined forces with Philippe Corrot to launch SplitGames, a videogame trading platform, on the idea that marketplaces were the winning business model for eCommerce.  In 2008, Fnac Group purchased SplitGames and launched the Fnac.com Marketplace based on Spligames’ technology and marketplace expertise. 

Four years later, after achieving 100% annual growth, both Adrien and Philippe left FNAC to found Mirakl. Since then, Mirakl has become one of most dynamic players in eCommerce globally, with a suite of solutions in marketplace, dropship, supplier sourcing ecosystem, supplier catalog management and pay-out, personalization, and retail media. More than 400 of the world’s most trusted brands across retail and B2B industries choose Mirakl’s award-winning technology to accelerate profitable, sustainable eCommerce growth in over 40 countries around the world.

Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.

Deborah Weinswig is the founder and CEO of Coresight Research. Between 2014 to early 2018, Deborah served as Managing Director of Fung Global Retail and Technology (FGRT), the think tank of Fung Group. Previously, she was Managing Director and Head of the Global Staples & Consumer Discretionary team at Citi Research.

Deborah was ranked the #1 analyst by Institutional Investor for 10 years in a row. She was named one of the Top 50 Retail Influencers by Vend in both 2016 and 2017, and received the Asia Retail Congress’s Retail Leadership Award in 2016. She was also recognized by LinkedIn as a top Voice in Retail in 2017 and 2018.

She serves on the board of directors for Goodwill Industries New York/New Jersey, GUESS?, Inc., Kiabi, Street Soccer USA and Xcel Brands, Inc. Deborah is on the advisory board of the World Retail Congress as well as several accelerators. Deborah is a Certified Public Accountant and holds an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.

Peter Englehart is a proven builder and leader of successful sports media, enthusiast events and entertainment businesses. His entrepreneurial, managerial and strategic visions have placed him at the forefront of some of America’s most distinguished consumer brands, sporting organizations and television networks.

From his first professional role as a publicist for the Professional Bowlers Association to his most recent positions as Chairman of the Board of TEN: The Enthusiast Network and Executive Producer/Board Member of VStar Entertainment, he has had first-hand experience in managing teams and building world-class properties. 

Before his last two positions, he had a long and rewarding career with three of sports television’s dominant players – ABC Sports, ESPN and the NBC Sports Channel. He joined Traub Capital Partners in March of 2022 and he has actively been involved in further building HITS Horse Shows as the country’s largest owner/operator of equestrian events. He lives on a ranch outside of Austin, Texas with his wife and two sons.   

Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.

Federico Balestra is the CEO of Sabatino Truffles, a leading global Truffle company based in Connecticut and Umbria, Italy. With over 20 years of experience in the truffle industry, Federico has been instrumental in driving the company's growth and success. He joined Sabatino in 1996 as the Sales Manager and was appointed CEO in 2005.

Under Federico's leadership, Sabatino has expanded its product portfolio to include a wide range of new products like Truffle Salt, Truffle Zest, Truffle Crisps, just to name few, catering to the growing demand for truffle globally. His passion for promoting Truffles has driven Sabatino to become a world leader in the space.

Federico holds a degree in Business Administration and actively participates in industry conferences and events. He is committed to making a positive impact on the food industry by providing nutritious and environmentally friendly food choices to consumers.

Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.

Dr. Samuel West’s work and research is driven by curiosity and a playful experimental approach. As a licensed clinical psychologist, Samuel specialized in cognitive behavioral therapy and treated depression, anxieties, relationship problems, etc. He later became obsessed with the psychology of happiness, in particular happiness related to work and the complex relationship between happiness and affluence. During a mid-career break from consulting, he spent 5 years at Lund University, doing research and teaching positive psychology, creativity, organizational science, and various clinical courses. His PhD in organizational psychology focused on how workplace playfulness boosts innovation. He is American-Icelandic, and after many years in Sweden, is now based in Spain.

Since founding the Museum of Failure, Samuel has become the leading expert on helping teams and organizations understand the role of failure for innovation and progress, improve the acceptance of failure, and appreciate the benefits of psychological safety. He educates and inspires with the fascinating stories of the artifacts at the Museum of Failure.

Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.

In 1996, Neely Woodson Powell met a cobbler who made fashionable yet comfortable shoes in the small Mexican village of San Miguel de Allende. Impressed with the style and versatility, Neely started selling the hand-sewn shoes alongside her mother’s furniture markets and met her first of many loyal customers. After enrolling in a design program at SCAD and with the production support of the founding family of cobblers, Neely launched Charleston Shoe Co., known for machine washable, hand-crafted, and comfortable shoes. Beginning with her first store in 2010, she effortlessly pivoted from selling shoes from the trunk of her car to having 18 locations and over 300 wholesale accounts around the US today. 

In addition to being the owner and founder of Charleston Shoe Co., Neely is a mother, an avid traveler, and very active in the Charleston community. It is her charisma and charm that people are drawn to, and why Charleston Shoes have been embraced by women all over the country.

Interviewed by Kate Doerge.

As EY Global Retail Leader, Thomas Harms is responsible for defining and implementing the EY strategy for the retail industry. He helps ensure that EY retail clients are well served across geographies, leading over 20,000 EY professionals worldwide. 

After more than 20 years advising national and international companies, Thomas is just as curious about new developments as he was at the beginning of his career. 

Early on, he specialized in consumer goods and retail culminating in Thomas creating and leading the Consumer industry practice across Germany, Switzerland and Austria for 18 years. He knows the industry like no other and has supported retailers as they face complex and strategic challenges driven by empowered consumers. 

Thomas’ long-term industry relationships and strong, cross-industry network are the cornerstone of successful collaborations and creative solutions. 

Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.

As CEO of OUAI, the Los Angeles based hair care and lifestyle brand, Colin Walsh has demonstrated his inspiring leadership qualities and dedication to the growing beauty industry over the past 16 years. His mission to remain curious about life and continue to work and play every day with people who inspire him to be his best, has given him an unparalleled perspective across Sales, Marketing, Product Development and Distribution, allowing him an understanding of the business from all viewpoints and cementing him as a leader in the space.

Prior to joining OUAI, Canadian-born Walsh, was the CEO of DevaCurl and VP/GM of MATRIX USA within the Professional Products Division of L’Oréal. He also co-authored, “ON: A Brilliant Way to Live and Work” with motivational psychologist Dr. Lew Loscony; a book designed to provide practical tips and powerful insights on creating greater passion and purpose in work and everyday life.

Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.

Lyndon Cormack along with his brother Jamie founded Herschel Supply in 2009 after identifying a gap in the market for stylish, functional and design-driven bags. Lyndon’s commitment to consistency and unwavering ability to establish long-term brand direction has led to Herschel Supply’s international success and recognition as a leader in the global accessories market.

His love for design spills into his everyday life, with interior design, architecture and fashion design being some of his most passionate hobbies—that is, when he’s not surfing or backcountry snowboarding.

Before founding Herschel Supply, Lyndon spent ten years with Vans, working on developing the company’s Canadian business. He is the proud father of two daughters and resides between his homes in Deep Cove, North Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia.

Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.