Matthew Berkson
Co-Founder + CEO, Maison Louis Marie
Matthew Berkson is the co-founder and CEO of Maison Louis Marie, a modern fragrance house rooted in botanical tradition and clean formulations. A native of Los Angeles, Matthew began his career producing branded music programs before moving into fashion, where he launched a manufacturing agency focused on US-based production for the high-end contemporary market.
Since co-founding Maison Louis Marie, he has helped scale the brand into a globally recognized name in niche fragrance. His cross-industry experience allows him to bridge creative direction with operational strategy, guiding the brand’s thoughtful expansion while staying true to its core values.
Maison Louis Marie is now known for its cult-favorite scents, sustainable and clean practices, and presence at leading retailers including Sephora, Bluemercury, Credo Beauty, and Goop. With the recent opening of the brand’s first flagship store in Los Angeles, Matthew continues to shape its future with a focus on emotional connection, visual identity, and long-term brand integrity.
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Cassandra Morales ThurswelL
Founder + CEO, Kitsch
Cassandra Morales Thurswell founded Kitsch at the age of 25 selling handcrafted hair ties door-to-door. She bootstrapped it without any outside investment or revolving credit lines into a global beauty powerhouse offering a comprehensive suite of products for every moment of the day from shower to sleep.
Leading a seismic shift from traditional shampoo bottles to solid bars, Cassandra’s advocacy for sustainable alternatives and responsible entrepreneurship marked her as a pioneer in the industry. She is also credited with reviving a tired category and redefining haircare from just a routine into a 360° holistic and healthy lifestyle. Today, she continues to bring sustainability, attainability, and accessibility to the haircare space in over 27,000 stores worldwide including Target, Ulta Beauty, Nordstrom, CVS, Whole Foods, Selfridges, Sephora Asia, Mecca, and other specialty stores, hotels, spas, and salons.
Erin Potempa-Wall
Co-Founder + CEO, The Beachwaver Co.
Erin Potempa-Wall is the co-founder and CEO of Beachwaver Co., an independent, women-owned haircare and styling brand that’s taking the beauty world by storm. Alongside her sisters, celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa and Beachwaver Co. Creative Director Emily Potempa, Erin helped turn a big idea into a global brand known for its award-winning, rotating curling irons and innovative haircare products.
Originally a lawyer, Erin took a chance on her sister’s vision and made a bold career change. She quickly became a driving force behind the brand, traveling overseas to personally find the best manufacturers and ensure top quality from day one. Her leadership has helped shape Beachwaver into a standout brand known not only for its products, but for its creativity, inclusivity, and strong community.
Her strategic thinking and dedication have helped grow Beachwaver into a beloved name in beauty, trusted by professionals and everyday users alike.
GREG STARKMAN
Founder + CEO, Innersense Organic Beauty
Greg Starkman is the founder, CEO, and formulator of Innersense Organic Beauty, a global leader in clean haircare. A pioneer of the clean beauty movement, he brings decades of salon and cosmetic industry expertise, with a deep focus on ingredient safety and sustainable product innovation.
Greg’s journey into clean beauty was sparked by a personal awakening after the birth of his daughter with special needs—an experience that revealed the risks of toxic ingredients in conventional products. Alongside his wife and co-founder Joanne Starkman, he launched Innersense Organic Beauty over 20 years ago to create safe, high-performance haircare grounded in trust and transparency.
Under his leadership, the brand has earned international acclaim, including multiple Allure Best of Beauty awards. With Greg’s vision, the company is a certified B Corporation and member of 1% for the Planet, reflecting its strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
More speakers will be announced soon.