Dr. Krishnakumar “KK” Davey is president of Client Engagement at IRI and a member of IRI's Executive Leadership Team. In this role, Dr. Davey works with client executive teams and boards to spot emerging trends and opportunities leveraging prescriptive analytics, technology, and granular data. He previously held leadership positions at global consultancies, including Oliver Wyman and McKinsey & Company, as well as at WPP, Knowledge Networks, AC Nielsen, and ORC. Davey holds a Ph.D. in marketing and statistics from Vanderbilt University. His dissertation on choice modeling won the coveted American Marketing Association best dissertation award in 1991. Davey has published several articles in leading publications on a variety of topics such as demand and growth, revenue management, innovation, marketing, insights and analytics, and sales execution. He is also often quoted in leading business media, featured on television, and regularly speaks at industry conferences on challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

Jeff Pepperworth is responsible for overall operations and strategy development for the continued growth and profitability of iGPS Logistics. Since joining iGPS in 2019, he has spearheaded a company-wide drive for increased sustainability and environmental stewardship. He brings more than 20 years of senior executive experience at successful global companies, serving in diverse roles that span supply chain, transportation, manufacturing, product innovation, and healthcare. Prior to joining iGPS, he held senior positions at CSafe Global, where he served as CEO; Inmar, Inc, where he served as President; Cleveland Clinic where he modernized delivery, procurement, and material handling systems; and UPS Supply Chain Solutions, where he was SVP of Global Logistics.

John Gehre is Chief Merchandising Officer of The Container Store and joined the company in 2018 as Executive Vice President of Merchandising and Planning. In his role, John leads a diverse team that includes merchandising, planning, allocation, global sourcing and end-to-end supply chain management. He has played a key role in strategic initiatives including the company’s growing private label products, sustainability, expansion of its custom closets business, COVID-19 management and supplier relationships. John also helped spearhead the launch of exclusive product collections with organizing guru Marie Kondo and celebrity organizers The Home Edit. Prior to joining The Container Store, John gained extensive experience leading multi- billion dollar retail businesses in merchandise planning, product development, omni- channel marketing, and supply chain with some the retail industry’s most successful companies, including H-E-B, BJ’s Wholesale, Linens ‘n Things, Saks Fifth Avenue and Federated. He is also involved in philanthropic endeavors as a member of the board of directors of Global Market Development Center (GMDC), a trade association serving more than 600 retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and service/solution member companies; and Mission Road Ministries, which aides adults and children with intellectual development disabilities. John is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He is celebrating his 20th wedding anniversary this year. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his daughter, Abbey, renovating houses, and running half marathons.

Dawn Nowicki is the Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Mold-Rite Plastics where she is primarily focused on supporting sales and Innovation & Technology by integrating the market/customer trends and needs with MRP’s strategy to Delight the Customer. She has a diverse background in packaging and Healthcare serving in a variety of roles from Engineering, Quality, Sales and Marketing in both Glass and Plastic Packaging having formerly worked for Owens-Illinois, Rexam, Priority Plastics, and Eli Lilly. Dawn has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toledo and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.

Ashley Elzinga is director of sustainability and outreach for the Foodservice Packaging Institute, the trade association for the North American foodservice packaging industry. At FPI, work primarily focuses around communications, outreach and FPI’s recovery efforts. Prior to joining the association, Elzinga has worked in different positions within the sustainability and environmental fields. Her most recent position was with Dart Container Corp. where she was the social responsibility and sustainability specialist. Before that position, she acted as the company’s recycling and community outreach specialist. Elzinga holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Valley State University with a minor in Environmental Studies. When not going on adventures with their corgi, Dutch, Ashley and her husband enjoy working toward their goal to visit all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums — 10 down, 20 still to go.

Solange Ackrill has built a reputation as a brand strategy innovator with a deep understanding of the food retailing environment, with some of the giants of the industry including Walmart, Loblaw and Maple Leaf Foods. Solange has led teams and contributed to major strategic initiatives that have generated profitable results by anticipating and aligning effectively with rapidly-changing shifts in the market. She is currently applying her wide range of marketing, research, and analytical strengths at Club Coffee in Toronto. As the VP of Marketing and Corporate Strategy, and part of the Executive Leadership team, Solange is playing a central role in focusing the company’s resources towards driving sustainable growth. With Club Coffee’s launch of the world’s first certified 100% compostable coffee pod (Purpod100®), and paper-based roast and ground coffee packaging (AromaPak™), Solange is helping connect consumers with the innovation they seek, while building partnerships with a diverse array of innovative coffee brands across North America.

Abby Ayers joined Fair Trade USA in 2016 and serves as the Senior Director of Retail Partnerships. In this capacity, she works with Fair Trade’s retail partners to create actionable plans to make and get credit for Fair Trade commitments and celebrate those with associates, investors, and customers. Abby supports retailers in developing private brand programs, creating sustainability goals and commitments, sourcing certified national brands, and promoting these items to drive business results. At Fair Trade she supports over 80 retailers across 13 Channels. Abby brings 10+ years of retail experience and is known as a brand Launcher. Prior to Fair Trade USA, she supported private brand development at Kroger, supporting the launch of the Simple Truth Organic brand- the largest organic brand in the world, and HemisFares- an ultra-premium import brand as well as the Sunless Inc. skincare line, Evolv Sunless. Abby earned a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Strategic Communication from the Ohio State University, as well as an Executive MBA from Cleveland State University. She has been named one of Progressive Grocer’s inaugural GenNext Award winners and a Women of Influence in the Food Industry.