Ari Goldsmith

Chief is a private network built to drive more women into positions of power and keep them there. Chief is the only organization specifically designed for senior women leaders to strengthen their leadership journey, cross-pollinate ideas across industries, and effect change from the top down.

Head of Marketing. A key pillar in KeHE’s ‘Next Generation Distributor’ strategy is our goal to become a digitally-enabled organization. To ensure KeHE continues building the KeHE Brand and advancing its digital marketing capability and momentum, Ari will broaden the reach of the Marketing team to assist KeHE’s customer, supplier and employee-facing teams leverage digital platforms and more intentionally build the KeHE brand. Ari has spent the last 8 years leading KeHE’s marketing function. During that time, KeHE has produced over 40 award-winning trade shows, published one million retailer publications and established KeHE’s Goodness Follows® platform as a leading food industry brand. In addition, Ari “Serves to Make Lives Better™” through her position as Co-Chair of the Myra Rubenstein Weis Leadership Board and as a Board Member of ARK Chicago, an organization committed to helping under-resourced families in the Chicagoland area. Finally, this year Ari was named one of Progressive Grocer’s 2019 Top Women in Grocery.

CareTrade Advisory Committee

• Supported the achievement of all advertising, shows and other marketing related income  Completed two major integrations  Modified publications for integrated companies and developed channel-specific publications with new strategic approach to Grocery Chain, Independent, Natural and Niche channels of business with a net savings  Managed 45+ events and trade shows annually with over 9,000 attendees and YOY annual sales and sponsorship growth  Developed digital communication strategy: new website and social networking activities  Conducted public relations efforts for our brands, external news and acquisition  Brand management for KeHE and sister brands  Managed team of 12  Assumed leadership and creative responsibilities for proprietary own brands- package design, sell sheets and marketing materials  Mentioned in Crain’s Chicago Business

-Diversity & Inclusion Committee

National tween mall-based specialty retail chain specializing in makeovers, in-store experiences, exclusive & licensed merchandise  Managed annual budget of $2.54 Million and met established financial goals  Reduced administrative expenses by over 50% resulting in over $300,000 savings  Hired internal team of three and replaced advertising agency  Conducted RFP’s to ensure cost effectiveness  Co-branded launches with promotional trade partners: Orlando Travel & Convention Bureau and John Casablanca’s  Supported new product launches using integrated communications to achieve sales initiatives  Direct Mail- Acquired proprietary mailing list of 1.5 million six- eleven years old girls  Digital Marketing- Procured proprietary email database of 700,000 customers; Increased delivery rates by 75% and view rates by 4%  National media- Bought national TV flights based on prior year comp sales in anticipation of sales trends  Virally promoted- Trade Sponsorship, Concert Campaigns & Third Party Tie-ins  Created Launch Kits- enabled field organization to easily and quickly implement objectives of Launch  Contests and Promotions-Stimulated customer interest and increased sales with an average lift of 1-2%  In-store signage- Directed the creation of in store brand and sub-brand signage  Created new loyalty program for VIP (Very Important Princesses)® to grow foundation for all marketing activities  Conducted focus groups with the target and their mothers for trend and preference input  Created charm bracelet and a series of collectable bracelets  Negotiated and bought premium from Chinese and Taiwanese vendors  Maintained database of 1.5 million tweens and grew revised program by 90,000 girls in three months: foundation for all loyalty marketing methods  Collaborated with cross-functional executive team (Merchandising, Product Development, Legal, Finance and Operations)  Cultivated relationship with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

 Aligned dual-branded marketing campaigns for White Hen and 7-Eleven Chicago  Lead HBO/FOX Simpson’s Promotion and converted new suburban store with potential to a Kwik- E- Mart and introduced new loyalty customers to the brand (Event rated top 10 in 2007 by Advertising Age)  Managed introduction of Great Lakes Fresh Food marketing campaign from concept to delivery  Developed $40 Million National Sports Marketing sponsorship programs to procure vendor co-op funds

 Planned and utilized $3 Million in media to brand chain of 220 stores throughout Chicago & Indiana  Directed new brand identity with strict creative agenda  Researched use and functionality characteristics for each food package  Updated all brand creative on proprietary packaging, coffee bags, hot & cold cups, napkins, business cards and gift cards  Managed in-store point of purchase display development  Co-produced new “What You Need & What You Hunger For” campaign and garnered the Silver Microphone Award  Created and promoted Local Store Marketing and Guerilla Marketing Events with: WLIT, Schaumberg Flyers, Oldies 94.7, Gatorade, Chicago Chamber  Collaborated with cross-functional executive team (Merchandising, Product Development, Finance and Operations)  Implemented successful Public Relations campaign resulting in over 3 dozen positive articles  Saved over $250,000 through negotiated trade alliances with: Southwest Airlines, Orlando CVB, Chicago Tribune  Sold, produced and directed 400 vendors and the associated funding at White Hen Trade Shows

 Managed in-house agency, supported all activities and reported to the Vice President  Specialized in selling third-party promotional sponsorship  Created promotions with: AOL, Apple Vacations, Bally, Chicago White Sox, Ford, Fox Sports Net, Mayor’s Office of Special Events, etc.  Directed designers to produce in-paper advertisements and point-of-purchase collateral  Promotional materials: digital media, billboards, radio spots, rackcards, print advertisements, wraps, and POP displays  Negotiated trade agreements, compiled contracts and worked with legal team to bring contracts to completion  Created and managed annual budget of over $1.4 million  Collaborated with cross-functional executive team (Circulation, Editorial, Legal, Finance and Operations)  Responsible for internal communications  Coordinated special events for the editorial department focusing on public relations initiatives

LORENZO Dé MEDICI, Florence, ITALY Italian cultural and language program, Spring 2000