Growing up in Mill Valley, CA, where natural foods were a staple long before it was mainstream, I’ve always been drawn to natural products, local fresh foods, and exploring new and different flavors. I’m especially fortunate that my passion for clean healthy food has not only been a lifestyle, but also the core of my career in the Natural Products industry.
While spending the last 20 years as a wife and a mother to our 5 amazing children, I have also had the opportunity to grow with and navigate through the CPG industry, with a primary focus on the Natural Channel. I’ve worked on the Broker side of the business with Acosta/NS Sales, the manufacturer side with Coca-Cola/Odwalla, and the distribution side where my husband and I expanded our local distribution company nationally, to become Whole Foods Market’s #1 DSD distributor in 8 of their 11 regions. It was here, I realized, that helping small businesses launch, grow, and expand into multiple regions and retailers was not only a career, but a calling.
Weaving together the unique threads of my early exposure to clean and healthy food, my personal resonance with the natural products industry, and a passion for helping start up brands grow and flourish in this space, it seemed time to start a consulting company and take that approach one step further; to help women owned brands and women entrepreneurs succeed in this male dominated space. Thus, Gather Brands was born!

I am a passionate enthusiast for anything Natural!!! I always knew I was drawn to everything unconventional! Getting a taste of the Natural Foods landscape at Mothers Market and Kitchen in SoCal I knew that this was for me! Spending a decade in Portland, OR where it seemed that this little piece of the country was ahead of the curve! I dove further into my passion for Natural Foods. I spent 15 years with Odwalla in several capacities of the business and then branched out to Bai Brands, Organic coffee and even Organic Alcohol! I am in love with the fluidity and everchanging landscape of the food and beverage space. 

Over the past 20 years I have been fortunate enough to create an amazing career in the CPG space and take on cross functional roles that play an integral function within both the retailer and distributor landscape. I believe this is much like a marriage as it requires give and take and demands mutual respect of one another. 

I am a mother of 3 growing children, and it is never a dull moment! It is important to me to live a healthy sustainable lifestyle. I am a west coast girl to the core! I enjoy CrossFit, spontaneous adventures, Tahoe and binging Netflix!! On the weekends you can find me at the local wineries or day hiking! 

Born and raised in Arkansas, I grew up on Southern classics
– fried okra, steak, and sweet potato fries. Fortunately, the allures of “The
Natural State” kept my family very active and most weekends were spent enjoying
the outdoors. I was raised to appreciate Mother Nature, but it wasn’t until after
college that I had my first taste of the Natural & Organic food industry.  

After graduating from The University of Arkansas (Woo Pig
Sooie!), I wanted to experience an unfamiliar life outside of Arkansas, so I
accepted a job with a large CPG supplier in the San Francisco Bay Area. Year-round
access to fresh produce and a creative culinary community gave me a glimpse at
how delicious healthy foods could be and how nourished they made me feel! My
next stop was closer to home with a position at Whole Foods Market HQ in
Austin, TX. My experience in multiple roles at Whole Foods is really where I
developed a passion for the Natural Food industry and recognized the importance
of sustainable business practices, from ingredient sourcing to packaging to a
company’s overarching purpose for existing. Meeting brands with a meaningful story,
identifying cutting-edge innovation, and seeing a product on the shelf after
months of effort are just a few motivators that make me excited to work every day.
After a brief stint in the Beer industry, I am happy to be back in the Natural
space working alongside the incredible women at Gather and the inspiring brand
owners we partner with!

Good food, good music, and good people have made Austin
impossible to leave. If I’m not out for a run or riding my bike to a new lunch
spot, I’m probably cooling down with a frozen margarita or escaping the Texas
heat altogether on a trail in Colorado.

Growing up in Southern California, my parents instilled in me a profound appreciation for a healthy lifestyle and the transformative power of natural products. With over nine years of dedicated experience in the natural products industry, my journey has been both diverse and enriching. I've had the privilege of working in various roles for a large national broker, gaining invaluable insights and contributing to the dynamic landscape of the industry.

Beyond the world of natural products, I am an avid traveler who has had the privilege of living in three countries outside of the U.S. This exposure has not only broadened my horizons but also enriched my understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives.

When I'm not immersed in the world of natural products, you'll find me exploring the great outdoors or savoring quality moments with my husband and our two adorable dogs.

I was born in the US, but I grew up in Europe. My mother always used fresh, natural ingredients, sourced from the local markets in Europe. Her fresh pasta sauces became a weekly staple and I had never tried a jarred sauce, until I had my own family.  The few times that I did purchase a sauce from a store, I was turned off by not only the flavor, but also the salt and sugar contents. So, I decided to launch a line of my own, called Just Made Sauces. After testing them every weekend at local farmers markets, I gained placement into 3 regions of Whole Foods and other regional retailers and distributors throughout the Northeast. 

After the experience of running my own brand, I went on to work for a couple of other emerging brands. These years gave me an even deeper understanding of the challenges of the CPG world; what it takes to land a brand on the shelves, and what it requires to keep the brand on the shelf. I spent many years traveling all over the country meeting with HQ buyers, attending distributor trade shows, and developing relationships.

I am thrilled to be working on the Gather Brands team, where I am able to apply my experience and guide the emerging women founded brands that we represent in the natural space.  And to be a working on a team with an amazing  group of women is a dream come true!

In my spare time I love to play tennis, hike, ski, practice yoga, and travel. I  love to cook, and enjoy having friends over most weekends to sample my creations. I am a NY Times cooking junkie and read every single recipe and newsletter in great detail. My husband and I live in Ct, and our 2 daughters live in Colorado, and we head out whenever we can to see them and to enjoy the mountains.

Born in Romania, raised in Southern California and on the Colorado River.  I’ve lived in San Clemente and San Diego during my career and recently have moved to Ventura County.  In my free time I enjoy wakeboarding, snowboarding, glamping and cooking at home! 

Growing up, my Mother demonstrated self-taught natural ways to support our family’s needs.  I didn’t always appreciate this at a young age however, I am so grateful for her early influence on me.  Finding appreciation for this healthy foundation happened once I got married.  I quickly realized that I needed to become a better gatekeeper on what products I brought into my home to keep my family thriving.  Leading a healthy lifestyle has become the most liberating feeling.

I have spent most of my career in the wine & sprits industry having many opportunities in both distributor and supplier roles.  I am thrilled to take my experience in alcohol retail sales and transition into empowering women and representing better, cleaner options when it comes to CPG.

Growing up in Texas, I wouldn’t say that healthy eating was part of my childhood. In high school my father remarried, and I ended up with a family who has had a health food store since the early 70s. That’s where I became a lover of the outdoors and all things natural. In college at LSU (Geaux Tigers!) I thought about going the traditional dietetics route but quickly realized that it was not my path. To me, true health is not about limiting what we eat, rather it is the quality of ingredients we ingest and how we treat and move our bodies.

Post-grad, I worked for years as a buyer for health and beauty/supplements and then went to work for a large national brokerage learning the back end of distributor work, retailer promotions and how to support a growing brand from the ground up. These experiences have catapulted me to Gather Brands where I get to work alongside powerful women who have made it their mission to empower and strengthen fellow women-owned businesses.  

As a consumer of the natural products industry, I am constantly on the lookout for new innovations and fresh perspectives and like to stay engaged in the shifts of our industry. We recently relocated to Southern California where we are taking full advantage of year-long sunshine! On the weekends you can find me camping, at the farmers market, or relaxing outside with a great book and glass of wine. 

Born and raised in Michigan where the seasons seem to live life in the fast lane, every adventure is different while exploring the Great Lakes State, and I love all of it! My husband’s and my passion for travel has expanded well beyond our precious mitten, and we share our excitement and appreciation for discovering all that this world has to offer with our two daughters. We joke that our vacation itineraries revolve around ‘the next meal’, but the truth is, we are eager foodies ready to indulge in ALL the cuisine. As we tell our daughters, “you don’t know what you are missing, just take a ‘polite bite’”. The results are almost always pleasing. It only makes sense that the core and passion of my career is surrounded by creative, innovative, and functional products in the ever-changing world of CPG.

After dabbling across several industries, from industrial manufacturing to publishing to hard goods, the doors to CPG welcomed me. This opportunity seemed to shift my attitude, it’s not just another job – there can be joy in working, and I finally found it. Maybe it was the incredible team that surrounded me. Maybe it was the up-and-coming brands I worked with that I seemed to care for like family. Maybe it was the serenity I found after closing my computer at the end of the day knowing I made a difference to the one man show that was so desperately hoping for their brand to succeed. Whatever it was, my family and I loved the newfound and oh so rewarding sense of joy and accomplishment that I brought home at the end of the day.
I have worked with countless brands, managing their distributor business and being their guiding light as we navigated the CPG world together. Today, with more than a decade of industry knowledge, and engaged more than ever, I am thrilled to be on the Gather Brands team!

I believe passionately that food is medicine, and that consuming whole foods is crucial for our physical and mental wellbeing.

My career spans over 20 years in the natural products space, representing esteemed brands such as Great Eastern Sun, Edward & Sons, Stacy’s, Blue Diamond, and Earthrise, alongside numerous emerging and better-for-you brands. Working with a boutique brokerage, as well as positions as director of distribution and brand management, I've cultivated strong relationships and friendships within the industry.

I am deeply committed to optimizing brand success. I understand the intricacies of market entry costs, effective marketing strategies, navigating distribution challenges, and leveraging assets for maximum impact. My goal is to collaborate with our brand partners to achieve cost-effective shelf presence, enhancing visibility, and generating consumer demand that ensures sustained success and promotes healthier families.What excites me most, aside from kittens, are initiatives in climate action, advocating for equal opportunities, and supporting upcycled packaging solutions. I am also a self-proclaimed package and design junkie, continually seeking innovative ways to marry aesthetics with sustainability.Together, let’s envision a world where people are not only happy and healthy but also empowered through the food choices they make. This journey isn’t just about business; it’s about making a positive difference in the lives of individuals and communities worldwide.

I was born and raised in the Great Lakes State. I didn't begin paying much attention to the ingredients in our food or products, until I began my esthetician's program through an Aveda Institute in Michigan. Aveda opened my eyes to the importance of clean ingredients as well as how those ingredients affect our environment. Shortly after receiving my estheticians license, I was drawn to the sunshine and mountains of Colorado. Focusing on introducing and educating my clients to natural and organic products, I was introduced to MyChelle Dermaceuticals and ACURE Organics. That is when my career in the Natural Industry took off. From traveling as an educator or sales representative, to working behind the scenes supporting the sales and operations team. I enjoy all aspects of helping a brand grow!

Fast forward 18 years, I am a wife, mother and recent breast cancer survivor. I can truly speak to the importance and integrity of supporting brands that are creating clean and healthy products not just for our families, but for our planet. I'm grateful to have the honor to work alongside some amazing women here at Gather Brands. Together, we can do it all!
When I am not behind my computer, you will find me at the gym with my husband and daughter or on a long walk or hike with our two fur babies. I also love ending a sun filled day
sitting on a patio listening to a live band at one of the many breweries we have here in Fort Collins.

San Diego Native, Micaela graduated High School from San Marcos High this year.

She is staying close to home while taking classes learning how to write grants for non-profit organizations. In the meantime, she is also sharpening her social media skills with Gather Brands.

If you're noticing some similarities between her and our Founder, you're not going crazy, she happens to be Mia's daughter!