OPENING SEMINARS
HYATT REGENCY O’HARE
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16 – 2:00 PM
Presentation I - Innovation & Trends in Private Label
This presentation will explore the trends and dynamics of private label in the U.S. and globally. It will look at why private label innovation is critical for retailers, the consumer trends that retailers can innovate around, and the best practice for private label innovation and development. Data, consumer research and case studies will be incorporated to bring key points to life.
Neil Saunders
Managing Director
Retail GlobalData
Neil Saunders is Managing Director of GlobalData’s U.S. retail and consumer division. In his role he oversees the development of the company’s proposition and its research output. He also works with major retail clients worldwide to help them understand the retail, shopper, and market landscapes – advising them on how best to develop, evolve and implement business strategies.
Presentation II - Key Principles for Private Brand Excellence
Private label brand expansion continues to be a top strategic priority for retailers around the world. Private brands’ value, quality, and innovation make them strong competition for national brands. Shopper trust in their preferred retailers creates a halo effect on those retailers’ private brand assortments, encouraging shoppers to purchase a wider range of categories. This presentation explores the key strategies that define private label growth, how retailers fuel continued momentum, and the role of private label brands in the future of commerce.
Rachel Dalton
Head of Retail Insights North America
Kantar
Rachel Dalton is the Head of Retail Insights North America at Kantar, focusing on omnichannel acceleration and growing commerce platforms across all channels. Rachel leads a team of subject-matter experts that delivers industry-leading retail thought leadership. Rachel is a retail expert and has published extensively for Kantar Retail IQ, a syndicated subscription-based content platform. She holds a B.A. from Connecticut College and an MBA from Cornell University. She has been featured in media outlets, such as NPR Marketplace, Fox News, CNN Business, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, Marketing Dive, and Modern Retail.
Presentation III - Break the Silos & Beyond the Spreadsheet: Unifying Inventory and Production Planning
Inventory and production planning are often siloed yet they are deeply linked. Relying on spreadsheets and tribal knowledge limits visibility and hinders performance. This session explores how combining disciplined strategies with ERP functionality enables real-time collaboration and better decision-making.
We’ll cover inventory classification, level setting, and planning methods based on item-level metrics. You'll learn how inaccurate lead times distort planning and how to capture realistic ones. We’ll also address shared inputs between Planning and Operations—like production line structure, equipment run rates, crew sizes, and changeover sequencing.
Attendees will leave with a cohesive strategy to align teams, embed operational realities into planning models, and transition from spreadsheets to an integrated ERP environment
Joe Puglia
Business Technology and Operations Consulting Principal
Plante Moran, PLLC
Joe Puglia is a Business Technology and Operations Consulting Principal at Plante Moran, PLLC. He’s spent more than 35 years of manufacturing and supply chain experience in the CPG industry, with 15 of those years as an executive-level leader. As part of the Business Technology Advisory team practice, Joe has led or been a part of more than 15 business system implementations in organizations ranging from small family-owned enterprises to Fortune 500 firms. He has helped businesses implement WMS, ERP, and CRM software and has advised food and beverage clients on working through operations and EBITDA improvements, process reengineering, and critical change management challenges.
Presentation IV - Behind the Brand: The Critical Role of Private Label Manufacturers in the Convergence of Health, Beauty and Wellness
In today’s Beauty, Health and Wellness landscape, consumers seek more than results - they’re buying into experiences, values, and lifestyles. Formerly distinct categories like skincare and supplements now form a unified ecosystem of well-being. At the center of this shift are private label and contract manufacturers, evolving from behind-the-scenes players to strategic brand builders.
This panel will explore how these partners drive innovation, shape consumer experience, and enable brands to thrive in a market where agility, authenticity, and collaboration are key to success.
Moderator
Mitchell Collens
Director
AlixPartners
Mitchell Collens is a Director at AlixPartners, where he is a lead in the firm’s Beauty, Health, and Wellness offering that bridges consumers and corporate strategy as beauty, health, and wellness products continue to converge across the sector.
Mitchell began his career at Abbott, bringing industry and consulting expertise to help companies and investors navigate complex challenges. He has partnered with a wide range of consumer products companies and private equity funds across the globe, delivering strategic transformations and operational improvements. Mitchell is known for his analytical rigor, collaborative leadership, and commitment to driving connection across organizations from the manufacturing floor to the C-suite.
Panelists
Sara Fellows
Senior Director of Social Media
mdg
Sara Fellows is Senior Director of Social Media at mdg, a full-service marketing and public relations firm that specializes in B2B event and association marketing. She leads a team dedicated to helping trade shows and associations harness the power of social media and influencer marketing to drive attendance, spark conversation, and cultivate community.
Sara is known for staying ahead of trends, pushing clients to think differently about digital engagement, and building strategies that blend creativity with measurable results. Prior to joining mdg, Sara had a separate career in hospitality PR, managing social media channels and developing press coverage for several notable Washington, D.C. restaurants.
Kristin Hornberger
EVP & Practice Leader, Wellness, Beauty & Homecare
Circana
Kristin Hornberger, as an EVP & Practice Leader, Wellness, Beauty & Homecare at Circana, plays a vital role in driving success and forging strategic partnerships with global clients, delivering insights and growth opportunities.
During a career spanning over two decades, Kristin has become a trusted expert in healthcare, nutritionals, skincare and home. Her expertise extends to new products and challenger brands, where she excels in identifying trends and opportunities.
In her Wellness & Home role, Hornberger is responsible for generating industry thought leadership, uncovering client growth opportunities, leading the transformation of client insight capabilities and fusing disparate data sources into one strategy. Her approach has positioned her as a leader who creates lasting impact and empowers companies to build strong brand presence.
Harrison Pappas
CEO
Arizona Nutritional Supplements
Harrison Pappas is the Chief Executive Officer at Arizona Nutritional Supplements, a contract manufacturer in the nutraceutical space. Before joining ANS, he spent over a decade turning around and investing in a variety of consumer businesses. This included leading advisory work at AlixPartners and making investments in high-growth companies while at Valor Equity Partners, where he focused on companies in the food and retail tech sectors.
Daniel Sasu
Commercial Leader, Private Label, Distribution & Inside Sales, Westchester
Ingredion Incorporated
Daniel Sasu is Commercial Leader, Private Label, Distribution & Inside Sales, Westchester with Ingredion Incorporated where he heads the U.S. and Canada Texture & Healthful Solutions team focusing on driving consumer insights, ingredient solutions and collaborative innovation engagements for on-trend and consumer-preferred innovation of private label and contract manufacturing.
Daniel has more than 20 years of industry and management consulting experience across multiple geographies and industries, including home, beauty, food and beverage. He has expertise in providing strategic direction and leading cross functional teams to drive growth.
Daniel was a Management Consultant with Deloitte where he led business transformation and strategy projects for Fortune 100 consumer and industrial product manufacturers. He also held leadership roles with Unilever and Coca-Cola.