We are fortunate to be guided by leaders of some of the world’s most beloved beauty brands and category-disruptive businesses.
Dr. Robb Akridge
Founder and CEO, REA Innovations
Dr. Robb Akridge, PhD is co-founder of Clarisonic, the #1 cleansing device recommended by U.S. Dermatologists, which has sold more than 15 million devices worldwide, and the Founder and CEO of REA Innovations, a new venture to introduce extreme and addictive products and brands to the market.
He is also the chairman of the board for ICMAD (Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors). ICMAD represents over 700 cosmetic related companies; brands, cosmetic manufacturers, packaging houses, fragrance houses, plus design and marketing firms.
“I am always on the look for amazing innovators and amazing ingredients, and VERTERE has both. With Founder, Bethany Hilt, guiding VERTERE’s use of innovative technology, including platelet-derived growth factors, and other proven scientific and natural ingredients, each product achieves what has become the brand’s signature 72-hour-result synergy. These elegantly packaged powerhouse products are made with a customized purpose to address the look of wrinkles, dark spots and imperfections.”
Vicky Neilson
Vice-President and General Manager, South of France Body Care/Vice-President, Marketing North America, Parfums Givenchy/Principal, VSN Brand Development
A beauty industry veteran, Ms. Neilson has driven brand marketing in established global Fortune 500 companies (LVMH, Coty, and L’Oréal) to new brand development in start-ups that became billion dollar enterprises (Bath & Body Works, Victoria’s Secret Beauty) to specialty brand and retail merchandising (La Senza).
“After decades in the industry, I have tried many skincare products and most over promise and under deliver. The high quality VERTERE products not only deliver visible results quickly (72 hours!) but the formulas feel so luxurious to the touch and on the skin. The added plus for the brand is Bethany’s passion for efficacious ingredients and determination, based on her own skincare challenges, to create the best formulas to address her consumers’ needs.”
Laura Bennett
Co-founder and former CEO of Embrace Pet Insurance/Principal at Gosling’s Leap
A Wharton graduate, Ms. Bennett is a pioneer and disruptor with exceptional financial and entrepreneurial acumen. She co-founded and led Embrace Pet Insurance over 14 years, growing the business from two people with an idea to a 100+ person high-growth company that insured over 100,000 pets with over $52 million annualized premium at the time of her exit in 2017. She is a powerhouse business builder.
“Bethany is more determined than pretty well any other entrepreneur I’ve met. She has a true passion and sincere desire to improve the quality of people’s skin and positively impact their lives.”