Laurie Cercone is a highly experienced Sales and Operations Leader with a passion for driving growth opportunities, revenue streams, and overall business development. With extensive experience in large corporations, startups, and small businesses, Laurie is a highly skilled negotiator and manager, with a talent for creating and nurturing C-level relationships and partnerships. Laurie's expertise extends to selling value-added services and products that improve clients' profitability, and driving innovation using data analytics to arrive at strategic decisions to develop and launch new products in both existing and new channels.

In addition to Laurie's business acumen, she has a strong sense of community and a desire to give back. As a mentor, advisor, and volunteer leader, Laurie helps guide startups seeking funding and assists in due diligence, builds deal flow, and guides companies through fundraising rounds. Laurie's education is impressive, including an MBA from the University of Southern California and a Masters of Science in Technology Commercialization from The University of Texas at Austin - Red McCombs School of Business.

Laurie's experience includes roles such as Investor Relations Director and Venture Partner for Portfolio Companies at Newchip Accelerator, Startup Advisory Board Member, Cohort Advisor & Mentor for operations, sales, CPG, and food experts at Newchip Accelerator, VP of Sales- North America at SousZen, Sales Director (Western/Central Zones) at Vie de France, Division Sales Director at The Kraft Heinz Company, Regional Sales Manager at The Kraft Heinz Company, District Sales Manager at Appetizers And, Inc., and Sales and Business Consultant/ Territory Sales Manager at Mobil Oil. With her extensive background, Laurie brings a wealth of knowledge to any organization she is a part of, and is well-poised for a future role in technology-based companies or companies using technology-based solutions.