Owen Willems

Global Director R&D and Innovation

Hendrix Genetics

Sara Tan

Co-Host

Gloss Angeles Podcast

Sara Tan is a beauty journalist, editor, host, and brand consultant with over 15 years of experience in beauty and lifestyle media. Based in Los Angeles, she is the co-host of the award-winning Gloss Angeles podcast and former Global Beauty Director at Refinery29, where she interviewed everyone from celebrity beauty founders to renowned dermatologists, makeup artists, and cultural changemakers. Her warm, down-to-earth personality and sharp editorial sensibility have made her a trusted voice among beauty enthusiasts and industry insiders alike. Sara blends creativity with strategy to help brands tell meaningful stories, build trust, and authentically connect with their audience. Her work is deeply rooted in inclusivity - spotlighting underrepresented voices and pushing the beauty industry forward — as seen through her role as Chief Content Officer at Asian American Girl Club and her service on the board of Teach AAPI.

Riku Laitasalo

VP Client Services

Pacvue

I am a seasoned retail professional with extensive experience on the brand, agency, and technology sides of the industry. Specializing in eCommerce and retail media, I currently lead the Client Services team at Pacvue to deliver sustainable and scalable growth for our clients. My diverse background in technology, finance, and retail, along with direct hands-on experience working with large brands enables me to lead our organization to deliver tailored solutions that meet diverse business needs in a continually dynamic retail environment. While my specialty is CPG and eCommerce, I have managed brands across numerous categories throughout both online and brick & mortar channels in the broader retail landscape.