Session Details Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 Time: 12:00 PM Eastern Time Duration: 90 minutes Format: Zoom Session Type: Expert-Led Workshop + Applied Learning
As foodtech ventures move from early validation into growth, building the right team and establishing people processes becomes essential. This session will provide practical HR tools and strategies tailored to scaling companies, helping founders attract, manage, and retain the talent they need for long-term success.
Monica Sarkar-McGarry (Co-Founder, Purple Umbrella) will share approaches for building HR foundations in startups, including strategies for recruitment through co-ops, contractors, and full-time employees. She will also highlight how to design onboarding and leadership practices that grow with the company, while avoiding common pitfalls in compliance and people management.
Katy Hoska (Senior Manager, Global Total Rewards, Certn) will focus on compensation, benefits, and total rewards strategies that align with startup realities. She will provide insights into cost-effective approaches for motivating and retaining talent, from equity options to flexible benefits, and demonstrate how people analytics can support smarter decision-making.
A peer discussion and Q&A, facilitated by Cohort Mentor Dr. Jody Dexter (Bioenterprise), will encourage participants to share their HR challenges and learn how to connect people strategies to commercialization milestones.
By the end of the session, participants will have actionable insights into how to scale their teams, build sustainable HR practices, and create a culture that supports growth.
