Steve’s gritty and compelling brand marketing, such as his award-winning “PROTECT THIS HOUSE,” “CLICK CLACK,” and “I WILL” campaigns, helped propel Under Armour’s rise to become “the sports brand of this generation and the next,” a distinction further substantiated through the company’s partnerships with some of the world’s most accomplished athletes. In 2018, Steve co-founded the brand Revtown, an online clothier featuring premium denim for a fraction of the cost of designer jeans.

Now, Steve reflects on lessons learned from Under Armour’s storied growth and his time helping launch other start-ups to offer actionable insights on growing your brand, constantly innovating and successfully connecting with consumers in the digital age.

He recognizes the demands clients face and finds innovative and creative solutions, particularly when responding to observations raised by regulators during inspections. Whether the issue involves obtaining the authorization of a new food or dietary ingredient, complying with manufacturing requirements, labeling or advertising, product recalls or enforcement, Martin serves as an effective advisor and advocate.

Martin has handled almost every issue impacting the food industry. He has a comprehensive understanding of the laws affecting the labeling and advertising of foods, dietary supplements, infant formulas, medical foods and foods for special dietary use. He helps anticipate new trends and develops the data needed to distinguish a client's products from others on the market. Martin uses his understanding of science and technology in the food industry to provide assistance in obtaining regulatory authorizations to market new food ingredients, food packaging materials and dietary ingredients. He assists in responding to proposed regulations and draft guidance to keep clients informed on the latest trends in class action law suits to help anticipate new regulatory initiatives.

Dr. Paul Lewis is Director of the Standards Division at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) National Organic Program. As Director, Dr. Lewis manages the development of rules and regulations for the production, handling, labeling and enforcement of all USDA certified organic products. He is also responsible for managing the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for organic agricultural production. Prior to joining USDA, Dr. Lewis held a variety of leadership positions at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, focusing on regulatory and environmental considerations addressing chemical safety and agricultural issues. Previously at the National Institutes of Health, he managed a program offering advice and policy concerning biosecurity considerations of life science research. He earned a PhD in Environmental Science from George Mason University, a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University, an MS in Plant Pathology from Oklahoma State University and a BS in Plant Science from the University of Rhode Island.

Andrés Padilla is a senior economic analyst at Rabobank Brazil and is part of Rabobank’s Food and Agri Research Department (since 2012), covering beverages, dairy and the supply chain sectors. He has participated on many projects both in Latin America and internationally in various sectors, including orange juice, beer, dairy products, pulp and paper and logistics. He works with Rabobank’s commercial teams and has an active presence at industry events and in the press.

The Washington Post has called Mark Shields “a walking almanac of American politics” and The Wall Street Journal called Mark “the wittiest political journalist in America and, frequently, the most trenchant and fair-minded. 

His wit and wisdom come from forty years of knowing, covering and savoring the country and her politics.

His insights are first-hand and up-to-the-minute, disitilled from his own leadership posts in three presidential campaigns, attendance at 21 national party conventions – and from working in Washington through twelve U.S. Presidential elections.

Mark is an alumnus of the University of Notre Dame.  He served in the United States Marine Corps, and he promises to make us both laugh and think.