Brandweek Stage
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 10:30 AM - 10:50 AM
The Business of Building What’s Next

An Exec-on-Exec Conversation

In this executive-on-executive fireside, Lorna Somerville, Co-CEO of Levain Cookies, and Jeannie Yoo, CEO of Draper James, will share complementary perspectives on leading founder-driven brands through periods of growth and transformation. They’ll explore how they are scaling beloved brands while preserving the identity and values that made them resonate in the first place. The conversation will also unpack the evolving role of the CEO - from navigating growth and new opportunities to making decisions that shape a brand’s next chapter.