Founder Friday: Leading & Navigating Startups During Uncertainty

Join the Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship for a panel discussion about how Brown alumni entrepreneurs have grown and adapted through times of uncertainty in their startups and careers. The panel will feature  Ben Chesler ‘15, co-founder of Imperfect Foods and Lisa Gelobter ‘91, founder & CEO of tEQuitable, moderated by Scott Norton ‘08, co-founder & CEO of Sir Kensington’s. As a founder, how do you maintain stability, encourage your team to embrace change, and internally cope with the uncertainty that lies ahead? How do you have the courage to listen to yourself and make decisions? And how do you think about what’s next for your startup? 

Register here to attend the event. A Zoom link will be sent in the confirmation email.

Moderator

Scott Norton ‘08, co-founder & CEO of Sir Kensington’s

Scott Norton serves as CEO and co-founder of Sir Kensington’s, best known for making condiments with character. With a mission to reimagine ordinary and overlooked foods with fearless integrity and charm, Sir Kensington’s has become an integral offering at the nation’s leading retailers and restaurants. The company joined Unilever in 2017 and is a certified B Corporation.

Scott has been named one of Fast Company’s “Most Creative People in Business” and listed on Forbes’ “30 Under 30.” As an angel investor and mentor, he advises purpose-driven startups in food and technology.

Panelists 

Ben Chesler ‘15 , co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Imperfect Foods

Ben Chesler is a food waste entrepreneur who is actively working to change the food system to reduce waste and increase the amount of affordable produce available to consumers. After co-founding the largest student movement against hunger and food waste, Ben moved into the for-profit space with his newest venture, Imperfect Foods. At Imperfect, Ben is creating a supply chain of “ugly” produce and other groceries that would normally go to waste in the supply chain, and turning that into products that can be sold to consumers.

Lisa Gelobter ‘91, founder and CEO of tEQuitable

Lisa Gelobter is the CEO and Founder of tEQuitable. Using technology to make workplaces more equitable, tEQuitable provides a confidential platform to address bias, discrimination, and harassment. Lisa has worked on products that have been used by billions of people and on several pioneering Internet technologies, including Shockwave, Hulu, and the ascent of online video. Most recently, she worked at the Obama White House, serving as the Chief Digital Service Officer for the Department of Education. Previously, Lisa acted as the Chief Digital Officer for BET Networks. Lisa is one of Inc.’s 100 Women Building America’s Most Innovative and Ambitious Businesses, Fast Company’s Most Creative People, and serves on boards for: the Obama Foundation, Times Up, and The Education Trust. Lisa is one of the first 40 Black women ever to have raised over $1mm in VC funding. She is also proud to be a Black woman with a Computer Science degree. Go STEM!