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Navigator Lighthouse Foundation (NLF) The CPG Convergence Conference

Event Date: June 25, 2026

The Navigator Lighthouse Foundation in partnership with Mission Matters, hosted the CPG Convergence Conference, a one-day innovation-forward partnering designed to connect the people shaping the future of consumer pachage goods. Taking place at Verizon's 5G Labs, Innovation Center in Playa Vista, the conference brought together emerging consumer brands, retail buyers, investors, and operators for a day centered on real connection, practical insight, and shared momentum across the industry.

Phil Miller, LHF Board Member and friend of Allen Pierce, talked about his friend Allen Pierce

The Opening remarks were dedicated to the memory of Allen Pierce, who unexpectedly passed away just one week before the Convergence Conference

The CPG Convergence Conference was the brain-child of Allen Pierce.

Lori Brown, Director of Sales-West/Central- Heartland Food Products Group with Kendra Doyel, President of Ralphs Grocery Company. Fireside Chat. Topic: Building your partnerships in this industry:Retailer Dialogue

Seating was up close and intimate with speakers making Q&A and engagement much more personal

Kendra Doyel, spoke candidly about what big retailers like Ralphs expect from vendors introducing new products.

Adam Torres, Co-Founder, Mission Matters. Panel Topic: The Modern CPG Growth Playbook Omnichannel.

Panel, Pam Negoro, Founder of Touch, Martin Forde, Retail Brokerage & Strategy for Disruptive Brands, Cynthia Ferngren, Founder of Brandsol Agency

HeeSook moderating panel asking questions, all emerging brands ask

Retail & Grocery Insights

Panel: What Buyers Want? Adam Salgado, Rich Gillmore, Priyanka Vijay.

Priyanka Vijay, Director of Sales, Keurig Dr Pepper

Adam Salgado, Chief Experience Officer of Heriatage Grocers and President of the Heritage Grocers Giving Foundation.

Rich Gillmore, VP of Center Store, Gelson's Markets

HeeSook moderating a panel. Topic: What Buyers Want--and What Gets you on the Shelf?

Complimentary lunch was served for all

Bob Reeves with Vanessa Hensler, Consultant for the food industry

Moderator Adam Torres, Mission Matters, Tracy Holland, Founder Goodwill Brands, educating entrepreneurs

Tracy Holland, Founder, Board Member, Executive Chairman, Strategic Advisor, Innovative. She's an authority on beauty and wellness with a global track record of incubating and launching brands

Panel: Capital Meets Consumer, How Investors Evaluate CPG Brands today

Anthony Zanontian, Managing Director, Crumble Capital. Josh Resnick, Co-Founder & General Parner, OpenSky Ventures. Dayton Miller, Managing Partner, BFG Partners

Moderator: Elias Arjan, Founder of Healthspan Productions. Jeeyan Rostam-Abadi, EVP of Growth at Hawke Media. Fred Zhang, Senior Director of Paid Media at C.A. Fortune.

Panel: Storytelling, Media & Earned Attention

Josephine Musco, Founder of Olyxir, She is an inventor, CEO, and Patent holder operating at the forefront of biotechnology, wellness innovation, and brand architecture.

Nick Jarjour, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Lolipop Star, the company behind the viral bone-conduction lollipop that lets people experience music through taste.

Exhibitor Emerging Brands: Dylan Labrie, Lillie's of Charleston

Exhibitor: Jesrina Arshad, CEO Purelyb

Pictured is the Lighthouse Foundation Board of Directors

The Shelby Report exhibited along with many emerging brands in the room

Adam Salgado, HGG, HeeSook Alden, Certified Federal Credit Union, and Joe Perez, Waste Stream Solutions

Kendra Doyel a good friend of the Shelby Report

Kendra visiting the Shelby Report booth

Master of Ceremonies Chirag Sagar, Co-Founder, Mission Matters, HeeSook Alden, Certified Federal Credit Union, and Phil Miller, semi-retired, give opening remarks.

Honoring Allen Pierce, Co-Founder of the Navigator Lighthouse Foundation, Played in NFL with L.A. Rams and Dallas Cowboys, commercial real estate entrepreneur, formerly with Ford Motor Company