Ryan Lewendon is a Partner at Giannuzzi Lewendon, a premier boutique law firm that focuses on the representation of privately-held, high-growth consumer products companies. Prior to joining Giannuzzi Lewendon in 2011, Ryan was an associate at Donovan & Giannuzzi LLP.

Since 2007, Ryan has focused his practice on helping innovative consumer products entrepreneurs grow their companies by navigating both the day-to-day hurdles and the tent-pole obstacles and opportunities a consumer products company must navigate on its way towards an acquisition. Ryan has assisted hundreds of companies structure and negotiate their distributor, broker and supplier relationships, employee incentive programs and advisory networks, and celebrity/influencer endorsements and promotional partnerships.

Ryan has advised clients through financing transactions at every stage of their growth cycle – from angel investments to rounds with institutional investors. He has recently assisted clients in exit transactions with acquirers such as Coke, Pepsi, General Mills, Boulder Brands, Group Danone, Bacardi, General Mills and others.

Ryan grew up in Hamden, Connecticut. He received a M.S in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Tulane University and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, where he was a member of the Moot Court Honors Society’s Sports Law team. When he isn’t busy helping bring emerging brands to the mainstream, he is an avid runner, reader and raconteur. He resides in Manhattan, New York.

Sandro Roco is the founder & CEO of Sanzo, the 1st Asian-inspired sparkling water. Sandro graduated from Villanova University with a degree in chemical engineering and began his career as a nuclear engineer at Exelon Corporation. He previously worked on the credit derivatives trading floor at J.P. Morgan and most recently served as head of growth and then chief-of-staff at Bombfell, an online personal styling service. He launched Sanzo in 2019 with a mission of bridging cultures by connecting people to authentic flavors.

Joel works at Endeavor (WME), a global media and entertainment company that represents many of the most popular actors, musicians, athletes, and models in the world. He focuses on Talent Ventures, structuring and negotiating non-traditional equity partnerships between WME’s key clients and emerging consumer brands. Prior to joining Endeavor, Joel held consumer-focused investment/M&A roles at Aria Growth Partners, Peak Rock Capital, and Moelis & Company. He has also served as an advisor and operator at several rapidly growing CPG/consumer tech companies.

Elly Truesdell is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of New Fare Partners, and Co-Founder of Made by Nacho, premium cat-crafted cat food, with chef Bobby Flay. New Fare is a specialist venture fund with a thesis centered on the modern eater and evolving American palate. Elly has spent her career driving strategic growth in the Natural and Organic Food industry. After nearly a decade at Whole Foods Market as Global Director of Local Brands & Product Innovation, CEO at Canopy Foods, and as Partner at venture fund Almanac, Elly has deep experience across several verticals of the industry, offering expertise in retail strategy, brand development, supply chain, co-packing and product innovation. Elly holds a B.A in Media Studies from the University of Virginia, and sits on the Board of Wellness in the Schools.