Founder Who is Empowering Girls Through Fashion and Philanthropy with Mona Patel, Founder of Couture For Cause

Dr. Nikki Blacksmith is co-founder and CEO of Blackhawke Behavior Science and an adjunct faculty member at American University. With nearly 15 years of experience in psychometrics, decision-making, and entrepreneurial performance, she has published over 80 papers and been featured in top academic journals and media outlets like New York Magazine and BBC. She is also co-author of the upcoming book Data-Driven Decision Making in Entrepreneurship: Tools for Maximizing Human Capital (CRC Press, April 2024).

Mona Patel is an entrepreneur and investor with expertise in real estate, healthcare, and tech, as well as a passion for haute couture and philanthropy. She founded Couture For Cause, a charity using high fashion to support girls' education and empowerment globally. Raised in India, Mona’s boldness and ambition have shaped her success. After moving to the U.S., she built a real estate firm and co-founded healthcare companies with her husband. Mona’s couture collection features iconic designers like Dior and McQueen, and her philanthropic efforts have been featured in top magazines. Now based in New York, she continues her work in fashion and charity.

Heather has led Curology for over two years, driving its mission to make effective skincare more accessible. Under her leadership, the brand has expanded its team of dermatology providers, serving over 5 million patients and launching personalized prescription hair treatment. Before Curology, she was President of the Americas at Revlon and spent 10 years at Novartis leading various business lines. With 20+ years of experience, Heather speaks on topics like AI in skincare, skincare personalization, telemedicine, retail expansion, and brand growth in a competitive market.

Missy and Scott Tannen founded Boll & Branch, risking their life savings to create a sustainable, luxury bedding brand with full supply chain transparency. In 10 years, the company became the largest consumer of organic cotton, generating over $200M in annual revenue. The brand has gained a loyal following, including the Obamas, who outfitted Air Force One with their products. They’ve expanded into new home categories, opened stores, and partnered with Prabal Gurung for the first organic cotton dress at the Met Gala.

Katie Hunt, Co-Founder and CEO, has held pivotal roles at Warby Parker, Hinge, and Showfields, specializing in branding, product development, and operations. Drawing on her extensive startup experience, she co-founded Oh Norman! with Kaley Cuoco to create eco-friendly, durable pet products. The brand fills a significant gap in the fragmented pet care industry, offering safe, trustworthy products for pet parents. Katie’s leadership and background position Oh Norman! to meet the growing demand for high-quality pet care as the industry continues to expand.

Mandy Teefey is the co-founder and CEO of Wondermind, the world’s first mental fitness ecosystem, with a mission to destigmatize and democratize mental health. Launched in 2022 by Mandy and Selena Gomez, Wondermind provides inclusive content, tools, and resources to help change the narrative around mental health. Under Mandy’s leadership, Wondermind quickly grew a collective audience of 2 million and attracted 3 million site visitors within its first three months.

Sarah Paiji Yoo is the CEO and Founder of Blueland, a brand focused on eliminating single-use plastic packaging in home cleaning and personal care products. Blueland aims to provide sustainable, effective, and affordable alternatives that allow consumers to clean their homes without harming the planet. Sarah has been featured in major outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, and Forbes, and has appeared on shows like The Today Show and Shark Tank.

Michelle Wahler Adams is an entrepreneur who co-founded Beyond Yoga in 2005 and grew it into a global brand with a focus on inclusivity, diversity, and empowerment. As CEO, she expanded the company into a successful global business, culminating in its acquisition by Levi Strauss & Co. in 2021, where she continued to lead as CEO and joined Levi’s Executive Leadership Team. Michelle was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2021 and a DEIA Visionary by the LA Times in 2023. Originally from Maryland, she now lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two children, and two dogs, while staying active in philanthropy and enjoying painting, reading, and travel.

Katie Rosen Kitchens is a key figure in the subscription box industry, transforming FabFitFun from a female-focused media brand into a leader in content, community, and commerce. Previously, she wrote for outlets like The Los Angeles Times and worked on TV shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Her leadership spans brand partnerships, product development, and charity work, while supporting female-founded brands. Katie also launched FabFitFun’s first subscription box the same week she welcomed her daughter, and has since helped build a community of over 1 million members.

Gara's latest venture, The Now Massage Boutique, has transformed the art of relaxation by offering affordable yet elevated massage experiences. As co-founder and chief creative officer, she identified a market gap and created a chic boutique that has quickly expanded to over 70 boutiques nationwide. Committed to providing accessible luxury, The Now also ventured into wellness products and introduced a membership model to enhance clients' self-care routines. These products have gained a dedicated following, complementing the boutique's unique massage offerings. Leveraging her success, Gara launched Bowie Barker in 2022, a full-service pet-grooming business with plans for 200 franchise locations by 2028, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit across diverse ventures.