Segments & Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Visionary expertise from one of the industry’s brightest minds
Presented by Three Pines Collective
Mark Maggio
As the visionary co-founder of Boulder Canyon snacks in 1994, Mark Maggio successfully built and sold the brand to a public company just six years later. Mark’s dynamic career continued as he founded a consulting firm, dedicating a decade to launching new brands like Koia, Nawgan, and Vertical Water, while also fueling growth for over a dozen companies, including Popcorn Indiana and Smári Icelandic Yogurt.
With a remarkable 30 years of experience, Mark has a proven track record of not only building brands but also navigating the complexities of the industry. He has been instrumental in multiple capital raises, and he has a deep understanding of buy and sell-side transactions.
As the current CEO of Madhava, a role he took on in 2023, Mark continues to drive innovation and success. Get ready to be inspired by a leader who has helped shape some of today’s most exciting brands and understands what it takes to thrive in a fast-paced market.
Pitch Slam
Experience 5 dynamic pitch slams as Cultivate Bend member brands present to a panel of industry judges.
Presented by Hand in Hand Productions
What is the Pitch Slam?
Up to five brands will have the opportunity to participate in a 5-minute company pitch to a judging panel of national CPG leaders and will receive 7 minutes of valuable feedback live on stage in front of an audience of 150-200.
The goal of the pitch is to present your business where it is today, its strengths and challenges. You will be able to pose questions to the judges for guidance. You will get honest feedback about your brand and business and potentially receive a prize to help you pursue your goals.
Meet the Pitch Slam Brands
Not Bread
A unique gluten-free seed loaf, Not Bread was born from personal necessity and has grown into a passionate mission to celebrate the union of natural ingredients and mindful preparation.
The People’s Apothecary
A Naturopathic Doctor-owned apothecary that focuses on making plant medicine accessible to all people. Indulge in over 300 kinds of bulk herbs, 30 house-blended teas, tinctures, supplements and body wellness items.
Fixa Foods
On a mission to help others fix fresh food without the stress, Fixa Foods nut dips are made with simple, gluten-free ingredients ready to make into a healthy snack or wow-worthy meals.
Surge Supply Co.
A complete sustainable packaging platform, Surge Supply Co. offers eco-friendly, fully branded foodservice solutions with over 40 SKU’s and endless branding possibilities.
Tonsil Tech
Built by a team of bioengineers, Tonsil Tech is tackling the battle of tonsil stones with respect and ingenuity using their one-of-a-kind, safe and easy removal kit.
Pitch Slam Judges
Bill Capsalis
Seasoned CPG Advisor & Previous Executive Director of Naturally Boulder
Bill Capsalis is a veteran of the healthy lifestyle healthy living industry where he’s been helping emerging brands find a path to market for over 30 years. Having worked with over 500 natural products brands his deep knowledge of the industry keeps him busy helping all kinds of founders. He has a unique perspective on the entrepreneurial journey and the challenges entrepreneurs face every day. He has served as the VP of Marketing at GAIAM, been the cofounder of a cleaning products brand, worked in agency settings and most recently left his full-time role as the Executive Director of Naturally Boulder a trade association dedicated to helping emerging companies learn and grow. His passion for all things sustainable and regenerative impacts everything he does. He also loves playing the bass guitar in several local bands.
Sara Schor
Principal at Schor Insights & Strategy
Sara Schor, Principal of Schor Insights & Strategy, is passionate about identifying and dimensionalizing consumer insights, and using them to build and communicate compelling brand and product stories. Clients of Schor Insights & Strategy include small and large brands, agencies and start-ups, and non-profits; these include: ESPN, Visa, Avelo Airlines, Cakebread Cellars, Super Coffee (high growth RTD brand), ShadyRays ([sun]glasses start-up) Little Otter (kids mental health start-up) and Taproot (non-profit org).
Prior to creating her strategic insights consultancy, Sara spent 16 years at Sterling Brands where she held the position of EVP, Strategy & Insights. At Sterling, she worked on research and insights initiatives with a wide range of well-known companies and brands, including JP Morgan Chase, Google, M&M Mars, NBC Universal (Bravo), and Unilever (Dove).
Outside of work, Sara is (yet) another Californian now enjoying the good life in Bend, Oregon. She is an avid traveler, scuba diver, dog mom, reader and improviser.
Natalie Wieder
VP of Category Management at Thrive Market
Natalie Wieder is Vice President of Category Management at Thrive Market, the healthy and sustainable online grocery store. With a unique blend of category and product and engineering management experience, Natalie captains the e-tailer’s Category Management teams across the entire portfolio of hyper-curated, high-quality selection.
As a seasoned business and product leader, Natalie recently spent eight years at Amazon in a variety of businesses, including Amazon Fresh, Health and Personal Care, Amazon Pharmacy, Private Brands, and Amazon’s Baby Registry and Parent Experience. Most notably, she spearheaded the initiative to build Amazon’s FSA/HSA capabilities, enabling customers to use their benefits across Amazon health businesses.
Before Amazon, she held strategy roles at Boeing Commercial Airplanes after graduating from Columbia Business School. She resides in Bend, Oregon, where she is the President of the Board of Directors for the Children’s Museum of Central Oregon and finds joy in being outdoors with her family.
Karmen Olson
Head of Strategy at WLCR
Karmen Olson is a CPG Growth Strategist with 20 years’ experience in Brand Strategy, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships. She’s worked with over 100 founders at family-owned shops, medium-sized public companies, and highly-matrixed multi-nationals to resuscitate near death brands, manage multi-million dollar categories, and launch new businesses.
Currently Head of Strategy at Digital Growth agency WLCR, Karmen serves as Board Chair for Built Oregon in her free time.
Community Marketplace
Sample, taste, and purchase a wide assortment of local natural products from Cultivate Bend members.
Presented by First Interstate Bank
What is the Community Marketplace?
The Community Marketplace features member tables where attendees can sample and learn about the wide variety of local natural products. The Community Marketplace provides a chance to explore and connect with different brands and their stories in a relaxed, engaging environment.
Meet the Vendors
Post-Event Happy Hour
Relax & network after a great day with the local natural products industry!
Presented by Summit Bank
Happy Hour & Community Marketplace
To close out the event, we’ll be hosting a lively happy hour and another session of the Community Marketplace. This informal gathering offers attendees a chance to reflect on the day’s insights, meet and mingle with speakers and panelists, and explore opportunities for partnerships and collaborations. Continue to enjoy samples from the participating brands while making valuable connections in a relaxed, engaging setting.
