OUR WOMEN IN CPG CELEBRATION PROVED WORTHY OF ITS TITLE

Written By Bob Benenson

Photo by Bob Benenson

More than 200 Naturally Chicago community members join us for our Women in CPG Celebration on November 11, filling the event space in the beautiful offices of our host, BMO Financial Corporation.

This event was the follow-up to our buzz-worthy Women’s Leadership Retreat, hosted on September 18 in Long Grove, Illinois by Tracey Halama, Supergut CEO and Naturally Chicago Board member. (Click the link below to read the recap of that event.)

GET THE RETREAT RECAP

Jennifer Paulson, Naturally Chicago Board Programming Chair, served as emcee of the November 11 event. Photo by Bob Benenson

Naturally Chicago expresses its gratitude to Jennifer Paulson, our Board’s programming chair, whose leadership ensured the success of both Women in CPG events. Jennifer also served as emcee of the November 11 celebration.

The following is a photo essay to provide a flavor of the event and to say our other thank yous.

We will follow with breakout articles about the two insightful and engaging panel discussions and the tribute to Erica Kuhlmann, president/CEO of the Chicago-based Women’s Business Development Center; former longtime managing director of BMO’s Food, Consumer and Agribusiness Group; and a Naturally Chicago Board member.

Photo by Bob Benenson

The “Building a Big Brand” panel featured dynamic women CPG leaders who shared business-building insights. From right in the above photo:

  • Katie Paul, KeHE senior vice president of merchandising and member of the Naturally Chicago Board Executive Committee, who served as moderator.

  • Liz Carter, Chomps president and COO.

  • Julia Gregg-Albers, Barilla Americas vice president of research & development and a Naturally Chicago Board member.

  • Nicole Schumacher, PRE Brands, chief marketing officer.

  • Amy Gibby, Every Body Eat chief marketing officer.

Photo by Bob Benenson

The “Financing Female Founders” panel featured a discussion on channeling more capital to women entrepreneurs. From right in photo:

  • Mollye Santulli, Springdale Ventures senior associate and Naturally Chicago Associate Board member, who moderated the panel.

  • Laura Luckman Kelber, angel investor.

  • Cristina Rohr, S2G Investments managing partner.

  • Ashley Hartman, Bluestein Ventures managing partner and Naturally Chicago Board member.

Photo by Bob Benenson

The formal program concluded with our tribute to Erica Kuhlmann, who has been closely associated with Naturally Chicago since our founding in 2019. Her contributions were highlighted by three of Erica’s former employees (from right):

  • Jack Penn, now senior manager of strategy & business development at Good Foods Group.

  • Shalini Hanoman Campbell, group lead at BMO Capital Markets.

  • Jennifer Wendrow, BMO managing director and head of its West Coast Food, Consumer & Agribusiness group.

Photo by Bob Benenson

Erica then took the mic to reflect on her career at BMO and her new role leading the Women’s Business Development Center, which supports women entrepreneurs with a myriad of services and access to capital. Naturally Chicago thanks Erica for her kind comments about the important role our organization plays in supporting and expanding our region’s natural products industry.

Photo by Bob Benenson

The event concluded with a lively networking reception, at which attendees enjoyed light bites and beverages while catching up with old friends and making new friends.

Photo by Bob Benenson

Photo by Bob Benenson

Naturally Chicago sends special thanks to the members of our Host Committee, who played a big role in the success of the Women in CPG Celebration.

  • Kim Feil, Aspire

  • Beth Kimmerle, Attribute Analytics

  • Laura Luckman Kelber, angel investor

  • Julia Gregg-Albers, Barilla Americas

  • Paloma Vidgen, BMO

  • Meagan Arensdorff, C.A. BUILD

  • Kelly Spengler, JP Morgan Chase

  • Liz Carter, Chomps

  • Jim Rolfe, CBIC

  • Emily Groden, Evergreen

  • Trish Thomas, Every Body Eat

  • Katie Paul, KeHE

  • Kelly Follmar, Presence Marketing

  • Susan Ellis, Simple Mills

  • Jessica Murphy, S2G Investments

  • Jordan Hoppe, SG Credit

  • Suzy Richard, SPINS

  • Hannah Law, SPINS

  • Kate Weidner, C.A. Fortune/SRW

  • Alison Velazquez, Jindilli Farms

  • Mollye Santulli, Springdale Ventures

  • Tracy Halama, Supergut

  • Margaret Mueller, TILIA

  • Kim Holstein, Twisted Alchemy

  • Jennifer Amdur-Splitz, Voxley

  • Margie Omastiak, Whole Foods Market

  • Erica Kuhlmann, Women's Business Development Center

  • Morgan Lerner, GoNanas

  • Annie Slabotsky, GoNanas

  • Rheanna Wadlow, Distribution 2000

And of course, our gratitude to our sponsors, without whom this event would not have been possible.

Bob Benenson
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