Rachel DesRochers is a mother, a dreamer, a serial entrepreneur, and the founder of Power to Pursue. Gratitude and community are at the heart of everything she does — and she does a lot.

In addition to founding Power to Pursue, Rachel is the creator behind Grateful Grahams, the Incubator Kitchen Collective, Gratitude Grams, and Good n' Local, all of which make up The Gratitude Collective. She is also an advisor for the Queen City Game Changers, an executive leadership program for women. Rachel has been recognized for her work with numerous awards and accolades, including the Local Luminary from Slow Foods Cincinnati, and the 2021 Emerging Leader Honoree for Outstanding Women of NKY. She was a semifinalist for Martha Stewart’s American Made Award and was included in the Cincinnati Business Courier 2020 list of 40 Under 40.

When not managing her multiple businesses, Rachel stays busy being a mom to three wildly wonderful children.

With over 20 years of diverse experience spanning account management, go-to-market strategy, and sales leadership, Brent brings a wealth of insights gained from working with a spectrum of companies—from startups like Munk Pack to challenger brands like Clif Bar and industry giants such as General Mills and Mondelez. Grounded in empathy, curiosity, and adaptability, he specializes in crafting tailored solutions that generate engagement and drive meaningful results.

Some areas of expertise as an advisor include:

• Go-to-market strategies (including 4-Ps and MAPS)

• Long-range planning (2-5 year time horizons)

• Account planning and management (including trade management)

• Crafting selling stories and building impactful customer presentations.

• Customer/channel segmentation and customized strategies

• Price-pack architecture

• Sales team training and coaching

Abby Ober is the Director of Engagement at Main Street Ventures. In this role, Abby works closely with Activators, partners, community members, and supporters to build programming, connections, and engaging content. She has over 10 years of experience working in entrepreneurial support helping countless founders thrive and build their dreams. Prior to her current role, Abby served as the Program Director for the State of Kentucky’s Innovation Hub in NKY.

She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Public Relations from the University of Cincinnati. Abby is also heavily involved within her local community as she serves on several Boards including, The Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum, The University of Cincinnati’s Arts and Sciences Alumni Board, and the University of Cincinnati’s Friends of Communication Board.

Chef Alison (Ali) Crowdus is a Northern Kentucky native and mother with a passion for nourishing, a flair for creativity, and a spirit as bold as her flavor profile. Growing up watching her mother cook while perched in a carrier on her back, she has a knack for seeing food not just for what it is but what it can be.

A long-time chef and local food champion, after training at the Midwest Culinary Institute she gained experience ranging from private dining for the Archbishop of Cincinnati to cooking 15,000 meatballs for the Kroger Wellness Festival through positions including the respected Jeff Thomas Catering, and multiple businesses of her own.

As a chef ‘for the people’, she has recently accepted the position of Marketing and Engagement Director of the non-profit Incubator Kitchen Collective, sits on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the Incubator Kitchen Collective, and provides consulting services for a number of local small food businesses. Her personal brand as The People’s Chef is developing organically with one basic foundation in place: take care of the people. Nourish, serve, care – it’s all for the people.

Brianna is a Graduate Student at the University of Cincinnati, pursuing a Master of Design. Additionally, she serves as a Graduate Assistant at Live Well Collaborative and the Center for DAAP Research and Innovation at the University of Cincinnati.

Prior to this, Brianna was the Director of Funding and Impact at Main Street Ventures in Cincinnati, OH. Having joined the organization in 2019 as a Program Associate, she played a pivotal role in shaping the processes for the Grant-Giving Programs and brand development.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University and is a 2019 Venture for America Fellow, a prestigious fellowship program for recent college graduates aspiring to become startup leaders and entrepreneurs.

Dave Knox is a leading startup advisor, investor, speaker, and marketer who closes the gap between Fortune 500 and entrepreneurship through innovation, marketing, and digital transformation. Dave blends classical brand marketing acumen with entrepreneurial instinct to navigate a changing corporate landscape. As Chief Marketing Officer of Rockfish, Dave helped the company become one of the fastest-growing agencies in the country, going from $8 million in 2010 to $70+ million in revenue in 2016.

Simultaneously, Dave co-founded The Brandery, one of the top 10 startup accelerators in the U.S. Combining these two worlds, Dave authored the bestselling book, Predicting the Turn: The High Stakes Game of Business Between Startups and Blue Chips. In his latest endeavor, Dave practiced Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition as he bought and relaunched the natural wellness brand Nature’s Willow.

Accomplished creative marketing leader and master brand builder with 12+ years of success delivering aggressive growth for the world’s most visible brands. Drives revenue through collaborative leadership, breakthrough marketing, and customer-first business planning. Sets an inspiring vision and delivers strong execution. Takes ownership of brands, leads agencies, and directs cross-functional teams. Excels at building rapport and cultivating strong agency partnerships.

Transformational leader who creates a culture of accountability and high performance. Ability to see the big picture, simplify, and set clear direction. Partners with teams to deliver a seamless shopper experience. Motivates teams through consistent coaching, training, and development. Tenacious, resilient, and well-respected at all levels.

Greg is an expert in strategic planning, finance, business analytics, and operational efficiency with 15+ years of experience leading high-impact initiatives in investment banking (Jefferies), strategy consulting (Bain & Company), professional sports (San Francisco 49ers), private equity (FFL Partners), and high-growth start-ups from Series A through Series G stage (Faire Wholesale, NerdWallet).