Meet Our 2026 Pitch Event Investor Panel
Our natural product industry entrepreneurs have great ideas for great products that advance our community’s efforts to promote a better-for-people-better-for-the-planet system. But to succeed, these founders need financial resources — and those resources often come from natural-focused investors who recognize the promise in those products.
Our May 27 Naturally Rising Pitch Event and Innovation Forum — to be held at downtown Chicago’s Venue SIX10 — features an Investors in CPG panel with five leading local experts.
You will learn what kinds of products investors are seeking, how to connect with them, and how Chicago Seed Co. (a natural products investor network that is part of Naturally Chicago) can help.
Meet the panelists:
MOLLY SANTULLI, PRINCIPAL, SPRINGDALE VENTURES (MODERATOR)
Molly leads diligence on investments and supports portfolio companies for Springdale Ventures. She also manages the Venture Fellow program, helping shape the next generation of consumer investors.
BERT COHEN, CO-FOUNDER AND PARTNER, CLOVER VITALITY
Bert is an entrepreneur turned investor and advisor, with 20 years of experience in founding natural and organic food companies.
TRACEY HALAMA, FOUNDER/CEO, CREEKSIDE VENTURES
Tracey is a highly accomplished CEO and brand builder with extensive track record for inspiring innovation, people leadership, defining strategy, driving revenue in startup, emerging and mature markets.
TYLER MAYORAS, MANAGING DIRECTOR, MANNA TREE
Tyler is an impact investor focused on improving health through nutrition and wellness to empower consumers to live better and longer.
RYAN WOODY, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, SG CREDIT PARTNERS
Ryan has extensive credit and operational experience spanning a broad range of commercial debt products including asset based, cash flow, health care, factoring, and rediscount.