NEW YORK — Founders’ Innovation Day wrapped after a complete program of content, conversation, and connection designed to empower emerging CPG brands with the knowledge and relationships needed to scale. From early morning check-ins to the final closing session, attendees at the sold-out event experienced a curated progression of retailer insights, founder education, and strategic guidance from some of the most influential voices in modern commerce.
The event officially opened in Manhattan with the CVS keynote at 8:30 a.m. Michele Leblanc and Zachary Dennett outlined CVS’s ACE framework and set the strategic tone by emphasizing consumer trust, data-driven decision-making, and the realities of scaling in today’s omnichannel market.
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At 9:00 a.m., the Giant Food panel took the stage, featuring leaders from Ahold Delhaize USA who shared insights into the company’s Growing Together strategy and outlined expectations for brands across the local, wellness, and sustainability categories. The session helped founders understand how merchants evaluate innovation and what it takes to build loyalty in stores and across digital channels. Panelists included Tonya Douglas, SVP of Omnichannel Merchandising; Jason Bidart, Director of Category Management for Dairy, Frozen, Health and Beauty, and Homecare; Meg MacAvoy, Category Manager for Multicultural and Kosher; and Jessica Groves, Supplier Development Manager for Ahold Delhaize USA.
The program continued at 9:40 a.m. with Whole Foods Market. Whole Foods Market Forager Kelly Landrieu, Global Coordinator/Director, Local and Emerging Brands, provided a rare behind-the-scenes look at how emerging brands secure shelf space and grow within the LEAP Program. She guided attendees through operational requirements, key trends, and the journey from local exposure to national expansion.
Finance took center stage at 10:10 a.m. as Teddie Townsend, Managing Director of Canaccord Genuity, explained the investment landscape for emerging CPG companies. Attendees learned how to navigate early funding, understand key financial metrics, and prepare for long-term capital needs, from initial backing to a profitable exit.
A special Brand Journey session was held at 10:45 a.m., giving founders an honest look at the highs, lows, and key decisions that influence a company’s growth. At 11:45 a.m., a sponsor spotlight gave partners the chance to share tools and services to support founders at every stage. On stage were Luke Schneider, CEO & Founder, FDC Coffee; Obi Linton, Co-owner, Nicobi Foods; and Hector Saldivar, Founder & CEO, Tia Lupita Foods.
Lunch at 12:00 p.m. provided an opportunity to network and connect before the afternoon sessions resumed at 1:00 p.m. with Target. Moderated by strategist Dan Mack, Director of Target Accelerators Le’Spencer Walker and Director of Target Accelerators Pipeline & Programmings, Jennifer Ray-Jones explained what retail readiness looks like inside one of the nation’s most influential mass retailers. Their session focused on co-creation, intentional scaling, and the practices that distinguish successful retail launches from stalled ones.
At 1:30 p.m., leaders from Dollar General, Albertsons, and Kroger led an in-depth discussion on category trends, health and wellness priorities, and operational expectations for large-format retail partnerships. Their insights helped founders learn how to position new products for broader adoption. The panel included Antione Hinton, Sr. Director of Small Business Development at Dollar General; Karen Ivanis-Rogers, Sr. Director of Business Ventures at Albertsons; and Jim Kirby, Chief Commercial Officer at Kroger Health.
The Wakefern panel at 2:10 p.m. offered a detailed overview of the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States. Grocery vice president Jeff Mondelli, Kenny Miller, DSD Procurement Manager, Lindsay Ragozzino, Grocery Category Management, and Tim Carlson, Grocery Procurement Manager, discussed their priorities for new brands, including innovation pipelines, customer-focused initiatives, and requirements for streamlining go-to-market strategies.
At 2:40 p.m., a supply chain panel titled ‘Being Retail-Ready’ brought together Patrick Gibbons, President of Emerson Logistics, The Emerson Group; Paul Hennessey, Chief Product Supply and Quality Officer at Advantice; Leigha Dunbar, Senior Divisional Merchandise Manager at Walgreens; and Mark Adams, SVP of Transportation and Inventory Management, to discuss the realities of scaling logistics. Founders received practical advice on cost management, OTIF performance, and building a reliable distribution system that retailers trust.
Walmart took the stage at 3:20 p.m., where Jerrit Davis, Vice President, Personal Care Merchandising, and Leslie Leonard, SVP, Beauty and Personal Care, shared insights into category growth, consumer behavior, and the expectations for brands seeking national exposure. The session clarified how innovators can align with Walmart’s priorities and meet the challenges of a rapidly changing retail landscape.
By the 4:00 p.m. closing session, attendees left with not only practical guidance but also new relationships, strategic clarity, and a better understanding of how to partner with leading retailers to grow. The day reinforced Founders’ Innovation Day’s mission: delivering content, building community, and creating connections that foster long-term success.
Throughout the venue, Product Showcase Sponsors added energy with hands-on demonstrations and real-time conversations, giving founders the chance to present their innovations directly to buyers, advisors, and industry peers.
The Product Showcase.
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