It’s 2024 and we are still decades away from gender equality in business.

Despite entering business at the same rate as men, women are only 40% of managers and 28% of C-Suite executives (McKinsey & Lean In Women in the Workplace Study 2023). As a result of this sharp decline, a large number of women are the “only” or “few” on their teams. That leads to a higher risk for microaggressions, lower job satisfaction, and loneliness at work.

The good news is that in the natural products space we have many women in leadership and our circles can create the network you need outside of your company that can help you advance in your career, get the support you need, be an outlet for new ideas and a place to have fun. Our circles have amazing positive energy that fills our cups and helps us be more effective in work and life.

The more women reaching their full potential the more businesses can reach their full potential.

For woman and non-binary identifying leaders in Director, VP, or C-Suite(except CEO) level roles looking to expand their network and have a broader and deeper community, this program is focused on developing genuine relationships, trust and providing women with a close circle of confidantes while learning from each other and special guest speakers.

The circle is inspired by our learnings while developing the JEDI Collaborative. Studies show that women supported by other women leaders will progress faster than those solely supported by men. The circle is designed to be highly diversified in terms of companies, locations, and backgrounds. The circle is for leaders from all backgrounds with an intent of supporting womxn with marginalized identities such as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Color), LGBTQ+, and those with disabilities.

Who Should Apply

• Identity: You identify as a female, women or non-binary
• Industry: You work within the natural products, food, or CPG industry
• Career Level: Your role is defined as C-Level/suite (except for CEO), Vice President or Director level

We encourage you to apply especially if you are from an underrepresented Background.

What You’ll Experience

• Cross company peer mentoring circle with 10-20 women that meet virtually monthly for 1.5 – 2 hours for a year
• Run by a Circle Leader volunteer/s who will be responsible for the circle getting to know each other, creating a safe environment, building trust & scheduling the meetings
• The circle will set objectives & spend dedicated time getting to know each other and building trust
• Participate in an optional in person Happy Hour during Expo West
• Participate in optional 1:1 discussions each month to get to know the circle members faster, build stronger networks and increase support

Meet Your Circle Leaders

Angi Rassi, Senior PNL Business Leader | CMO | Growth Accelerator | Innovator | Executive Coach

“I believe if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far you go together. I am on a mission to help women go farther in business and in life. And we will do it together. The way women have been accelerating change for generations.”

Angi is a growth accelerator, senior business leader, CMO and executive coach passionate about helping women succeed in business and life. She has coached over 150+ high potential leaders at pivotal moments in their careers and has led peer mentoring circles for women for the past 15 years. She loves the community and connection circles create for women.

Angi has a passion for unlocking potential in businesses and in people. As an officer (top 100 global leaders) at General Mills she led businesses ranging in size from $25M to $1B accelerating growth on all of them. At John B. Sanfillipo & Son she led innovation, M&A, DEI and founded the Women of JBSS Employee Resource Group. And most recently she became the CMO for Red’s All Natural. A leader in premium frozen food and is leading growth acceleration and ESG.

“I know what it is like to rise in the ranks of corporate America. I know what it is like to lead large teams at a high level in a Fortune 500 company. I know what it is like to lead small teams in a scrappy & lean entrepreneurial company. I know what it is like to be an “only”, “few” and a “many”. I know what it is like to do all of that while balancing the demands of 3 kids, 2 dogs, 2 catsand a working husband in a 2-career household where you both travel regularly. And I know that one of the key things helping me do it all well is the community of women that have supported and guided me throughout my career. You simply cannot do it alone and these circles are designed so that you don’t have to. Every woman needs a strong community that knows her, supports her, gives her positive energy, and helps her advance. We hope you join our community of women supporting women. It’s a special place.

Betsy Frost, CEO | CMO | Growth Accelerator | Innovator | Board Advisor | Mentor – Coach

Betsy is a purpose-driven marketing and P&L leader who combines CPG experience with an entrepreneurial mind-set to build businesses, brands, and big ideas. She drives growth through empathic & strategic brand building, differential sales partnerships, bold innovation and inspired, connected teams.

She is also passionate about helping people find their voice and succeeding in life and business by finding their personal potential, tapping into their full self, and building networks. She has coached 100’s of high potential leaders in their careers, led peer mentoring circles and served as the head of the General Mills Women in Leadership affinity group.

An entrepreneur at heart, Betsy has been working with small and large businesses across different growth stages from start-ups to turnarounds to develop business, marketing, and go-to-market strategies. She is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Hoplark, a non-alcoholic brewery in Boulder, CO that is reframing what real flavor in beverage can be by unlocking the hops experience in new categories and occasions beyond beer.

Prior to Hoplark, Betsy served as the President of DRY Soda and spent 15 years at General Mills running P&L and brand strategy for brands from Cheerios to Yoplait, ran a company-wide new product incubator launching new $100 MM platforms for the company and managed the portfolio of brands and products for the company for the Convenience and Foodservice channel.

“I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by people in my life who have believed in me and helped me see the potential in myself, while not compromising who I want to be. I have learned how to lead in corporate America into very small entrepreneurial companies and have relied on building a community of mentors and peers to help me develop, provide perspective, and keep me grounded with a smile. The OSC/JEDI circles have been a remarkable resource and an inspiring community of women supporting women that is unlike any other experience I have had. We hope you will join us!”

Registration Details

Applications for 2024 Cohort are now closed

Format: This is an 11- month virtual program that meets once a month on Tuesdays for 1.5 – 2 hours.
Timeframe: February 2024 – February 2025