Cultivating & Educating
Women & Minority CPG Leaders
Our Mission
Amidst the civil unrest in 2020, Navigator Sales & Marketing owners Allen and Subriana Pierce recognized that they could affect change in our industry. Drawing on their HBCU backgrounds, they established the Navigator Lighthouse Foundation to assist minority-owned enterprises, offering education, access to new prospects, and support to transform the representation on grocery store shelves.
We are committed to combatting systemic racism by creating a platform & resources to uplift Black, Brown, Asian and Women owned business owners in the grocery industry.
We focus our support of minority & women owned brands in 3 main areas:
Access
Provide brands with access to retailers and investors
Educate
Offer engaging webinars on topics such as brand & digital marketing, sales presentations, financing and more.
Cultivate Innovation
New brand seed funding and expansion funding
Our Story
We know the ins and outs of the industry, and we utilize the relationships and partnerships we have developed to help our members navigate their products onto the store shelves.
So, when retailers began reaching out to us seeking connections to women and minority-owned brands, we knew a better line of communication, resources, and opportunity was in great need.
It’s been found that just under 3% of venture capital in the USA is awarded to women-led teams, and only 1% to Black and Latinx founders.
Minority and women-owned brands need tailored solutions to get their much-deserved seat at the negotiating table and their products on the shelf.
We founded the Navigator Lighthouse Foundation to create a holistic success system for women and minority CPG entrepreneurs to launch and succeed in the grocery industry.
Our Programs
Pitch Slam
Through our partnership with California Grocers Association, we bring 8 emerging brands on stage to present their brand to all CA grocery retailers. Through this access, we help these brands drive distribution.
Webinars
Members have the opportunity to ask questions and hear from retailers and field professionals to better help them understand the ins and outs of the grocery industry along with what it takes run a successful business.
Our Members
Meet a few members of the Navigator Lighthouse Foundation and learn first hand how the foundation has impacted these incredible entrepreneurs and their businesses.
Max Doggett
President of Safari Meats LLC MBE
"I recently landed meetings with two major retailers, and I was able to give presentations I am proud of. The information and resources I’ve accumulated through the foundation’s training sessions are priceless. For the entrepreneur that wants to see their business go to the next level, the Navigator Lighthouse Foundation will help you build your foundation."
Tracey Richardson
CEO and Co-Founder of Lillie’s of Charleston
"My company, Lillie’s of Charleston, was very fortunate to be awarded a grant to attend ECRM’s Diversity Conference. Coming out of the pandemic, this unique opportunity has made a tremendous impact helping us build our business. We were provided access to close to 100 different retail buyers which couldn’t be achieved through our own efforts. I’m grateful to the Navigator Lighthouse Foundation for having so many partnerships and opening doors to companies like ours."
Angela Sharpley
Founder/CEO/COO of Pipe-N Hot Grill LLC
"It’s great to have a supportive partnership that is committed to the success of my business, Pipe ‘N Hot Grill. As a member, I’ve had the opportunity to speak directly with leading retailers and entrepreneurial mentors who have extended their expertise and resources to us."
Meet Our Members
Open Call Admissions!
Membership fee of $399 - Members receive full access to all webinars, live and pre-recorded.
Members are provided with mentorship along with access to retailers and investors to further grow their business.
With our training members have landed their products on the shelves of Walmart, Sam’s Club, Gelson’s, Bristol Farms, and countless other retailers.
100% Charitable donation continues to provide support for minority women-owned CPG brands
Our Board
Subriana Pierce (Founder)
In 2013, Subriana Pierce joined her husband, Allen Pierce, to become a Managing Partner of Navigator Sales and Marketing. Subriana has an extensive background in the grocery industry, most recently as the Senior Vice President, Sales and Merchandising for Albertsons Southern California Division. With over 10 years in Sales and Marketing at PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay Division, and roles at Campbell Soup Company and Jewel Osco, Subriana’s work and expertise have been cited in Supermarket News, Shopper Marketing Magazine, and The Shelby Report. In addition, Subriana has been widely recognized for her outstanding achievements by Women Connected Organization, LA Business Journal, and Enterprising Women Magazine—to name a few. In 2019, she was named to the California Grocers Association Board of Directors. She was named 2020 Woman Entrepreneur to Watch by Insights Success. Subriana also holds executive board positions for the Network of Executive Women, Food Industries Circle Board of City of Hope, and the CPG’s industry leading organization, Illuminators.
Allen Pierce (Founder)
Allen Pierce has extensive experience in sales, marketing, and management with companies like Ford Motor Company, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Masland Industries, and more. After leadership roles around the country, Allen moved to California to serve in a Merchandising Leadership position for Coca Cola. With Allen’s expertise in people management, execution excellence, and retail strategies, he and his wife decided to launch their own business. In 2013, Allen and Subriana Pierce founded Navigator Sales and Marketing with a mission to help brands navigate the corporate retail environments to win in the marketplace. Allen is also a member of the Illuminators, an organization focused on education in the grocery and Consumer Packaged Goods industry. Before venturing into the food and beverage industry, Allen received his BBA from North Carolina Central University following stints in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys and LA Rams.
Stephen Takeda
Stephen Takeda has been providing investment management consulting services to both private clients and small institutional markets since 1983. Currently, Stephen is a Senior Vice President, Portfolio Management Director at Morgan Stanley, where he has helped clients define success and master the art of life for over 30 years. As a veteran financial advisor, with his partners, he helps affluent clients address their five biggest concerns: preserving their wealth, mitigating taxes, taking care of their heirs, ensuring their assets are not unjustly taken, and charitable giving. He is also a board member of USC’s Orange County Trojan Club and Asian Pacific Alumni Association.
Donald K. Wilson, Jr.
Donald K. Wilson, Jr. practices in all areas of entertainment transactional law, entertainment litigation, intellectual property, branding and general transactional law. He represents clients from the recording, film, television, concert production, book publishing, prepared foods, sports industries, and other varieties of businesses. His career began at the law firm Mason & Sloane. Soon after, he joined Quincy Jones Productions where he was instrumental in promoting, developing and providing legal representation for projects like “We Are the World” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Album. Here, he later capped his tenure as President of Qwest Entertainment Company, the parent organization of Quincy Jones Productions and several Qwest sectors. After leaving this role, he served in an “Of Counsel” capacity to the Law Offices of Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr, representing clients like Aretha Franklin, En Vogue, and George Clinton. Mr. Wilson is now senior counsel of Zhong Lun Law Firm with headquarters in Beijing, China, but residing in Los Angeles, California as the U.S. Chief Counsel of the Entertainment and IP Department. On the business side, Mr. Wilson orchestrates and negotiates the branding and marketing of several grocery products, like Cynthia Foreman’s Shortbread Cookies. In addition to law practice, Mr. Wilson shares his expertise in several articles on music copyright and entertainment law, in guest appearances on television, and lectures at prestigious locations like Harvard and Oxford University. Mr. Wilson has served on several non-profit corporate boards, such as the 100 Black Men of Los Angeles, Inc.
Caroline Davidson
Caroline Davidson has extensive work experience in various roles and industries. In their most recent position at SPINS, they hold the title of Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, a role they have held since November 2022. Prior to this, they served as Director, Channel and Agency Partnerships from July to December 2022, Director, Channel Partnerships from January to July 2022, Senior Channel Growth Manager from July 2021 to January 2022, and Channel Growth Manager from September 2020 to July 2021. Caroline also volunteered for Naturally Chicago in 2020, where they assisted in business landscape assessments, presentation decks, and website launches. Caroline is currently working on launching the 2020 Virtual GoodFood Financing & Innovation Conference. Previously, they worked as a Business Development Manager at Legacy Marketing from July 2019 to August 2020 and as a Senior Account Executive from 2018 to 2019. Caroline has also founded their own businesses, including Millennial Fit, LLC, where they served as Founder/Certified Personal Trainer and Chef from 2016 to 2019, and Clean Cocktails, LLC, where they were the Founder in 2017. Additionally, Caroline has held roles as a Retail Sales Account Manager at Perfect Snacks in 2017, a Publicist at JKS Communications from 2015 to 2016, a Marketing Manager at Turner Publishing Company from 2014 to 2015, and a Fulfillment, Purchasing & Inventory Manager at J3B LLC from 2013 to 2014. Caroline Davidson graduated from Belmont University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, majoring in Entrepreneurship. In terms of additional certifications, they obtained the following: "Driving Measurable, Sustainable Change" from LinkedIn in August 2020, "Building an Integrated Online Marketing Plan" from LinkedIn in July 2020, "Learning Data Analytics" from LinkedIn in July 2020, and "Inbound Sales Certification" from HubSpot Academy in June 2020. Additionally, they hold an ACE Certified Personal Trainer certification from the American Council on Exercise (ACE Fitness), although the specific month and year of obtaining this certification are not provided.
Chris Ishii
Chris Ishii’s main purpose is to help people and companies innovate through thoughtful and caring collaboration. He has an intense focus on designing and building for the future, a passion he carries into his role as Principal of family business, Ishii Capital LLC,. He is a former Managing Director at Morgan Stanley. Chris is a futurist with an abundance mindset. He also consults executives and companies on innovative solutions to improve sales and operations. Chris graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Economics. He spent nearly 28 years at Morgan Stanley and its’ predecessor firm, Smith Barney in a variety of roles, culminating in his promotion to Managing Director in 2006. Chris has been recognized as an innovator and leader for various business units that experienced tremendous growth under Chris’s leadership. Chris is vested in community and committed to Diversity and Inclusion. He led efforts that resulted in Partner of the Year awards from Prospanica and the National Association of Asian American Professionals. Chris is a member of the CPWAâ Commission at the Investment & Wealth Instituteâ, Advisor to Renewable Energy Startup, JouleCase and Chair of the Innovation Board of Social Media Startup, Relola. Chris also proudly serves on the Board of the Navigator Lighthouse Foundation and Is passionate about the mission to increase the representation of Black, Minority and Female entrepreneurs in the Food, Beverage and CPG space.
HeeSook Alden
HeeSook Alden has over three decades of leadership experience in the food industry. Her early career in the grocery industry began when she attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. Starting as a courtesy clerk and checker at Vons, she later joined Gelson’s. Her trajectory within Gelson’s led her through Store Management, Store Operations, and Executive Leadership. HeeSook has served as a board member and past Chair of the California Grocers Association. As a passionate and influential leader, she coaches, mentors, and develops talent across diverse, cross-functional teams. HeeSook is the Co-Chair of NextUp, a nonprofit organization empowering professional women to excel in leadership roles. In this capacity, she oversees strategic direction, operations, and partnerships in Southern California. HeeSook is an active member of the Supervisory Committee at the Certified Federal Credit Union. Additionally, she contributes her expertise to Advisory Boards for The California Conference for Equality and Justice (CCEJ) and City of Hope Food Industry Circles. Her skills in change management, performance optimization, and process innovations directly benefit our communities’ financial and social well-being. HeeSook has been recognized as a Women Leader in the Food Industry by the Food Industry Sales Managers Club, a Woman of Influence, and Female Executive of the Year for the West by the Shelby Report. The California Conference of Equality and Justice also awarded her Humanitarian of the Year. HeeSook holds a Master of Science in Leadership and a certificate in Food Industry Management from the University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business. During her academic journey, HeeSook was awarded the Prestigious Leader Award from the Marshall School faculty and the Byron Allumbaugh Scholarship. Her commitment to excellence extends to advancing the causes of leadership development, diversity, and inclusivity.
Dave Dimond
Dave Dimond has been in the Grocery Industry for 39 years and is currently the SVP of Sales for Milton’s Craft Bakers where he has helped lead the Sales team for almost 20 years. Dave’s primary responsibility is managing the U.S. and International Costco business for Milton’s Pizza, Cracker and Bread business’, as well as Sam’s Club and oversight of some west coast retail chains. In 1982 Dave began his career in the Grocery Industry as a Vacation Relief Driver for S.B. Thomas a.k.a. Thomas’ English Muffins. Over the next several year’s he was promoted to Route Supervisor, District Sales Manager and Account Executive. He was Account Executive for Four-S in 1997 prior to joining Milton’s. From 2010-2012 he was V.P. of Sales for Coast Brands Group with a focus in the Beverage Industry. Dave returned to Milton’s in 2012. Dave has been recognized with the CCEJ Humanitarian Award, was President of FISMC in 2005, Headlite (President) of the Illuminator’s in 2016. Dave serves on the Board of the Illuminator’s Educational Foundation and actively supports The City of Hope, Olive Crest, CCEJ, Children’s Miracle Network and iFoster.
Lori Brown
Lori Brown is the SVP of Industry and Customer Development at Rosie, the industry-leading online grocery shopping platform for mobile and web. Before joining Rosie, Lori spent the previous 18 years at Post Consumer Brands, most recently as the Regional Vice President for the West. She has been in the grocery business for 40 years, starting in retail at Kroger while in college. Lori received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound, and her Master’s degree from USC in Food Industry Leadership. She also completed the USC Food Industry Executive Program. Lori serves on several boards and education foundations. In March 2021, she was nominated as the President of the Pacific Harbors Council, Boy Scouts of America. She is the first female elected for this role in 111 years. Her other board of director’s positions include the Illuminators, California Grocers Association, Washington Food Industry Association, and the WFIA Educational Foundation Board. Lori has earned numerous awards over her career, including Progressive Grocer’s Top Women in Grocery-Rising Star, and the Shelby Report’s Women of Influence. In 2021, Lori received the Silver Beaver award for distinguished service to young people from the Boy Scouts of America. Lori lives with her family in Gig Harbor, Washington.
Our Sponsors
Our Corporate Partners
Become a Sponsor
Sponsor a brand on their journey! As a sponsor, you are creating a positive and profitable relationship between your organization and the group of minority and women-owned brands we support.
Not only will you be directly supporting these entrepreneurs, you’ll be giving your organization the chance to give back to the community.
Gold ($10,000)
• Social media and press exposure
• Highlighted in all foundation communications
• Opportunity to mentor a CPG entrepreneur
• Opportunity to serve on the board
• Grant provided to an entrepreneur in your name
• Discover up-and-coming emerging brands
• Send two brands through the foundation in your company name
Silver ($5,000)
• Social media and press exposure
• Highlights in all foundation communications
• Opportunity to mentor a CPG entrepreneur
• Grant provided to an entrepreneur in your name
• Send one brand through the foundation in your company name
Bronze ($2,500)
• Social media and press exposure
• Highlighted in all foundation communications
• Opportunity to mentor a CPG entrepreneur
• Send one brand through the foundation in your company
name
Patron ($1,000)
• Social media and press exposure
• Highlighted in all foundation communications
• Send one brand through the foundation in your company
name
