Expert Sessions

Ally Mumm is the co-founder of USAN USAN, an organization dedicated to nurturing a vibrant ecosystem where artists, culinary creators and creative entrepreneurs stand at the center of innovation and prosperity. Its primary initiatives are Umbrella Art Fair and REDEYE Night Market.

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In addition to her work with  USAN USAN,  Ally is the co-founder of The Good Neighbor, a brand strategy consultancy. Previously, she has served as the Head of Retail Marketing for Framebridge and led marketing efforts at EDENS and the Union Market District. She got her start in Marketing and Publishing for brands including West Elm, Designers Guild and Conde Nast in Washington, DC and London, where she grew up.

Carina Romo has lived all over the east coast, from Portland Maine, to NY and Miami she's now has finally landed in the DMV. She has a deep rooted love for growing and gathering with community. While in Miami, she worked to bring people together through supporting local artists by putting on art shows with a local gallery, later working with Quicksilver and Anthropologie to create monthly community activations, and bringing people together through food with monthly dinners and live music. Her passion lies in creating and hosting events that bring people together for a memorable experiences that showcases how amazing the local community is. Carina works for Shop Made Brands as their Regional Experience & Partnership Manager.

Ready to reach new heights, reimagine the existing or solve problems in new ways? Marjorie is an experienced visionary, strategist, planner, curator, writer and producer.  Businesses, museums, foundations and government recruit her to bring life, relevance and vibrancy to their institutions, content and spaces. 

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Results include exhibitions, live programs, games, electronic and print media, revitalized indoor and outdoor public spaces, and new businesses and nonprofits.

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Ex: Revitalized office space on the National Mall to showcase the work of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; its large cafeteria became a destination and its interior, a canvas for telling its story. Created the Smithsonian Institution’s first revenue-generating educational products, in tandem with corporations.

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Marjorie has held staff positions at the Smithsonian, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and the U.S. Holocaust Museum; has chaired boards and has been an advisor to dozens of leaders, organizations and businesses in the U.S. and overseas. 

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Angela Rakis is the founder of Favorite Daughter LLC, a consultancy focused on small and independent organizations.

Angela has led a diverse career – starting as an account manager working with advertising agencies in New York City, building a foundation in strategic planning while working on national brands.
 
She followed her passion for food enrolling in The French Culinary Institute (International Culinary Center) in New York City earning her certification in Pastry Arts. 
 
Angela joined Whole Foods Market as head of marketing – a training ground for retail execution, exceptional service and strong leadership. She established herself as a marketplace strategist and connector  recognized for leadership, innovation, creativity and driving results.
 
Intrigued by an opportunity to see the retail business from a fresh perspective, she took a role with EDENS Realty. As Vice President of Marketing, she represented the company’s real estate portfolio, and served the mission of enriching communities. From nurturing independent businesses to creating engaging experiences for visitors, her team crafted vibrant places to gather and engage. 
 
Angela offers strategic planning skills and exceptional knowledge in the retail and hospitality space. 

Her varied professional background ensures a unique and valuable perspective on operations, consumer behavior, customer trends and business strategy.

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Bridget Regan is a retail strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of award-winning Regan Agency, where she partners with DMV-area small businesses to drive growth through branding, marketing, and operations. One of her projects, Concept 31/M, transformed a long-vacant Georgetown storefront into a 20,000 sq ft concept store, generating over $40k in revenue within its first three months. As National Area Developer for CorePower Yoga, she opened dozens of boutiques nationwide while doubling same-studio sales with proven, innovative go-to-market tactics. Bridget also led a DC-area event marketing agency to become the fastest-growing in the country and founded an event-engagement software platform for retailers. A sought-after speaker and volunteer with BIDs, Main Streets and Economic Development committees, she’s passionate about equipping business owners with practical, hands-on, actionable insights. Today, Bridget brings that expertise to Advisor, a monthly coaching platform designed to help small business owners make confident, data-driven decisions and unlock sustainable, scalable growth.

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NotJane is a design studio based in DC. I make all the ways brands show up in the world — identities, campaigns, packaging, photography, social, and advertising. 

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Whether working on branding or advertising, in digital or print, for global companies or local startups, Betsy brings an unparalleled combination of sophistication and imagination every time out. A seasoned creative director and designer with 20 years experience, her career has included stops at agencies large and small, as well as an in-house stint at NPR.

Katie Burk is a designer who loves visually building up, evolving, and maintaining brands... and making things by hand! She looks at the big picture and focus on the tiny details. Katie's clients range from local to national to international—large and small. She strives for the best, most thoughtful work for everyone, no matter the company size. Listening, researching, asking creative questions, and coming up with creative solutions is the name of the game!

Clare is a Public Relations Director at The Brand Guild, leading the Food & Beverage and Hospitality team. Clare oversees a portfolio of industry leading clients, including Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, The Inn at Little Washington and Bourbon Steak DC, telling their stories to a regional and national audience. Prior to returning to The Brand Guild, she managed communications strategies at José Andrés Group, including numerous openings like the multi-unit Mercado Little Spain at Hudson Yards and Jaleo at Disney Springs. Clare has worked with a robust roster of clients including Imperfect Foods, Icelandic Provisions, Call Your Mother, and The Preakness Stakes, and her work on Jeni’s collaboration ice cream with the beloved AppleTV show, Ted Lasso, garnered more than 1 billion impressions, winning PRNews’ CPG PR Campaign of The Year in 2023.

Christine Lopez Kulumani is a Managing Attorney with the Nonprofit & Small Business Legal Assistance Programs at D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center. In this role, she manages regular legal clinics for small businesses and nonprofits, directly provides legal advice to small businesses, trains organizations, and nurtures relationships with District government agencies, community partners, law firms, and corporate legal departments.

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Christine holds a B.A. in political science from the University of New Mexico and a J.D. from the George Washington University Law School. She is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia.

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Christine is a volunteer with many local nonprofits and sits on the Board of Directors of both DC Refers and Changemaker Legal.

Commercial Photographer & Creative Partner
Miami · NYC · DC

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Yesi is a lifestyle, beauty, and product photographer with over 8 years of experience helping brands bring their vision to life through digital imagery. She’s partnered with national brands like Adidas, Journeys, and PHYTO, and brings a full-service approach—from creative direction and set styling to model scouting and production.

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Originally from Miami and now based in the DMV, Yesi blends warmth, strategy, and style to make shoots feel fun, collaborative, and aligned with a brand’s voice. 

Stephon Burton is a Washington, DC-based attorney focused on supporting creatives, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. He currently practices with Sneaker & Streetwear Legal Services, where he advises clients across the country on matters including brand protection, contracts, business formation, and intellectual property. Stephon brings a collaborative and practical approach to legal services, helping clients grow confidently while avoiding common pitfalls.
 

A Duquesne Law graduate, he also volunteers with the DC Bar Pro Bono Center’s Small Business Legal Clinic, offering guidance to local business owners navigating early-stage decisions. Stephon is passionate about making the law accessible, especially in the creative and cultural spaces that shape DC’s vibrant identity.
 

Avery Alford is a Marketing Associate at The Brand Guild, where she brings her experience in research & development, brand strategy, and client relations to the Integrated Marketing team. Her work includes influencer marketing and creative campaigns, specializing in the food & beverage, spirits, and consumer lifestyle industries. Avery graduated from George Washington University in 2023 as a Posse Foundation Scholar with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing.

An entrepreneur with over 20 years of accounting experience, Manuel "Manny" Cosme founded CFO Services Group in 2012 to help small businesses succeed through proactive financial management and strategic guidance.

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As CEO, Manny leads a team providing scalable accounting expertise beyond typical bookkeeping services. His leadership has earned prestigious recognition, including 2024 Small Businessperson of the Year for District of Columbia by the SBA, LGBTQ Business Leader of the Year by the Washington Business Journal, and Best Accounting Firm by the Washington City Paper.

A Certified Public Accountant and QuickBooks ProAdvisor, Manny graduated summa cum laude from Saint Mary's College of California with degrees in Accounting and Economics. He has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and Latino Leaders Magazine.

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Manny enjoys living in the vibrant D.C. area with his husband and dog, pursuing interests in video games, yoga, camping, and hiking.

Dr. Candace Pruett serves as the Assistant Regional Director for the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – Corridor Region, supporting entrepreneurs across Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties. With over a decade of experience in small business consulting, Candace has guided hundreds of entrepreneurs through launching, growing, and scaling their businesses. She is passionate about inclusive economic development and specializes in business planning, marketing strategy, and access to capital.

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Candace holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus, where her research focused on organizational culture and generational knowledge transfer. A former business plan competition judge and adjunct professor, she continues to advocate for practical entrepreneurship education. Candace was recognized as Maryland SBDC’s State Star in 2017 and is active in the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA). She is committed to helping small businesses thrive through strategic consulting, community partnerships, and training.

Abby has been a retail real estate broker since she graduated from Georgetown University in 2012, and while she's represented both landlords and tenants of all sizes, independent retailers are by far her favorite. She has seen how powerful the right representation can be in terms of dollars and cents - and getting great deals for businesses that are working so hard to bring something creative and new into the world is incredibly motivating to Abby.

Prior to founding Pedal, Abby served as Director of Real Estate for Compass Coffee and as a retail broker at CBRE.
 

Pedal Retail Advisors is the only real estate brokerage in the known universe focused exclusively on indie and start-up retailers. Whether you're opening your first brick-and-mortar , expanding your store or popping up, we love supporting Shop Made brands!

Marisela Rodela is the Program Director for the Office of Women’s Initiatives at the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF), where she advances inclusive economic development by expanding access to capital, knowledge, and networks for women entrepreneurs across the DC Metro region. A passionate leader in economic and community development, she brings over a decade of experience as a small business owner and has worked in public health, the food & beverage sector, and the local small business ecosystem. She previously held leadership roles with DC Brau Brewing and the DC Brewers Guild, and currently serves on the boards of the Heurich House Museum and Craft x EDU, among others.

She holds dual master’s degrees in Social Work and Public Health from the University of Michigan and a BA from Trinity University. A Ward 5 resident, she is a trained facilitator, dedicated community volunteer, and champion of locally owned businesses.

Bola Audena is a Managing Partner at MBA Growth Partners, a business advisory firm offering strategic growth and operational efficiencies support to organizations. Bola has over 18 years of experience in the management consulting field, with specific focus on Go to Market strategies, Strategic Planning, and Business Process Optimization. What differentiates Bola and MBA Growth Partners is the emphasis on sustainable and repeatable business performance, leveraging best practices, data driven insights, and commitment to results to power her client’s growth and success. Bola holds an MBA from University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh.

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At MBA Growth Partners, we specialize in helping organizations scale through strategic outreach, partnerships, and tailored program design. We currently run several initiatives that may align with your goals, including:
The President’s Circle:  A program designed to support Black-owned businesses that have surpassed $1M in revenue by providing executive-level coaching, networking, and procurement opportunities.

BOSSES (Black-Owned Small Business Excellence & Sustainability Program): Aimed at helping businesses build sustainable growth strategies and prepare for increased revenue opportunities.

Business Development Support: Representing Government Contractors in the marketplace and helping them navigate the procurement landscape to access government and corporate contracts.

Madia Brown, an award-winning brand strategist, founded Hellobrand, an all-in-one AI-powered brand engine to help you build, manage, and grow your brand with ease.

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With over 15 years in brand development, Madia created Hellobrand to offer high-impact brand marketing without traditional agency costs.

Her journey began with Brandire, her award-winning creative studio in Washington, D.C. As Chief Storytelling Strategist, she has worked with Johns Hopkins Sibley Memorial Hospital, Children’s National Hospital-- global consulting firms like McKinsey, and over 20 DC government agencies, not to mention she has worked on projects that supported global brands like Heineken, Carlsberg, and Anheuser-Busch. 

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Madia is a recognized speaker on branding, entrepreneurship, and AI-driven marketing. Her agency’s work has earned Telly Awards and accolades alongside Viacom and ESPN. Honors include Small Business of the Year by the DC Chamber of Commerce, 2023 40-under-40 by Washington Business Journal, and 2024 Power Player by DC Modern Luxury Magazine. Madia holds an MBA and a BA in Journalism.

Marullus Williams is President of Limbic Systems, Inc., a Washington, DC-based IT consulting firm he has led since 2006. 

Marullus is a board member of Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools. He also chaired the DC Career and Technical Education initiative and serves on the DC Workforce Investment Council.

Marullus holds a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from Florida A&M University and an M.S. from Carnegie Mellon University's Information Networking Institute. He is a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and resides in Accokeek, Maryland with his wife and two daughters.

Angie is a data analyst on the brand team at capital one, where she connects data and marketing to help ideas grow with a master degree in Marketing Analytics. She brings a blend of analytical insights and social media strategy, driven by a passion for creating social value. Angie excels at helping organizations translate data into clear and actionable strategies, thrives in collaborative environments, and enjoys empowering teams to make confident decisions. Expertise areas: 
• Marketing data strategy, including campaign performance measurement, reporting frameworks
• Audience segmentation and targeting 
• Paid social strategy 

Rosana Liriano, an accomplished Director Level - Business Banker and Senior Vice President at Capital One Bank, is dedicated to fostering strong client relationships and driving financial growth. With 25 years of experience in financial services, she specializes in providing tailored banking solutions to businesses in the DC Metro area, helping them achieve their unique financial goals. Throughout her career, Rosana has been recognized for her commitment to understanding client needs and her strategic planning skills.  Passionate about empowering businesses, she is committed to making a meaningful impact on the financial landscape.

Louise Deglin is an art director at Capital One, where she designs the visual identity as well as print and digital campaigns for premium products. Louise brings a unique perspective to the world of design and marketing as she holds a Ph.D. in Art History, having worked in the worlds of art and academia for a decade before becoming a designer. She thrives when collaborating on bold, even disruptive, projects—whether it be branding, print and display advertisement, or experiential design.

Alicia Recco, Creative Director, Capital One Brand Creative & Identity 
As a creative leader, my work is driven by a simple belief: thoughtful design and authentic experiences are the key to building lasting connections. Over the last decade, I've had the privilege of guiding brands and teams to create shared visions that stand out and deliver real results. My approach is rooted in creative strategy and a meticulous eye for detail, fueled by a collaborative spirit. I thrive on the challenge of turning complex ideas into simple, beautiful, and unforgettable experiences.