The Engagement Strategist™

——————————

The Connection Gap—The Leadership Principles That Turn Teams Into Communities

There's both an art and a science to building great teams—especially in direct selling. In this special preview of her soon-to-be-released book, The Connection Gap, Meredith Berkich shares the leadership principles that create stronger, more engaged teams from the corporate office to the field. Drawing on more than three decades of leadership on both sides of the business, she'll share real-world lessons on building trust, fostering accountability, strengthening culture and creating the kind of human connection that technology can support, but never replace.

Meredith has been at the center of some of direct selling's most remarkable growth stories. She has served as President, Chief Sales Officer, Chief Growth Officer and North American President for multiple global organizations, after first building a successful business as a field leader herself. Twice named one of Direct Selling News' Most Influential Women in Direct Selling, Meredith brings practical, executive-level insights forged through decades of helping companies and leaders scale, adapt and thrive. At theJuice, she'll share lessons from that journey—offering fresh perspectives and practical ideas that every executive can take back to their own team.

Meredith on LinkedIn →

CEO, Rexair

——————————

What I Got Wrong About Direct Selling—90 Years Meets 10 Years: What Leading Two Very Different Direct Selling Companies Taught Me About the Future of Our Industry

Few executives have had the opportunity to lead direct selling companies at such opposite ends of the spectrum. After more than a decade helping lead one of the industry's younger, faster-moving companies, Deborah Heisz is now CEO of Rexair, an iconic direct selling company with a 90-year history.

At theJuice, Deborah will explore what that contrast has taught her... and even some of the things she believes she got wrong about direct selling along the way. Rather than simply comparing "legacy" versus "modern," she'll uncover the surprising similarities in what actually drives success in both models. What has truly changed? What hasn't? What can today's companies learn from businesses that have endured for generations. and what must legacy companies rethink for the future?

Drawing on firsthand experience from both worlds, Deborah will challenge conventional thinking and share practical insights for building direct selling companies that can evolve without losing the fundamentals that make this channel work.

Deborah on LinkedIn →

Chief Operating Officer, Rain International

—————————

Stop Waiting for IT: How to Use AI to Solve Real Problems

Michael Smith is Chief Operating Officer at Rain International, where he oversees logistics, technology operations and customer relationships for the global wellness company. With more than 25 years in direct selling and three decades leading operations, customer care, sales and account management teams, Michael brings an operator's perspective to technology: it's valuable when it solves real problems, improves processes and helps the business move faster.

At theJuice, Michael will take us behind the scenes of how he's personally using new AI-powered coding capabilities—including Claude and other emerging tools—to tackle technology challenges and move Rain's tech stack forward. Rather than talking about AI in the abstract, he'll share practical examples of what's now possible when executives and operators can use these tools to build, troubleshoot and create solutions themselves. It's a firsthand look at how rapidly changing technology is putting entirely new capabilities into the hands of business leaders—and what that could mean for direct selling companies of every size.

Michael on LinkedIn →

Product Marketing Analyst, Sunrider

——————————

Don’t Kill the Brand: Evolving Legacy Brands for the Modern Consumer

Ali Hollander is a global beauty product marketing strategist with a unique career journey spanning professional sports, education and the beauty industry. She began her career working in events for the Dallas Cowboys, where she gained experience creating high-impact experiences and engaging diverse audiences, before becoming a special education teacher. Today, Ali brings her creative and strategic perspective to Sunrider International, where she specializes in beauty product marketing and leads initiatives that bring skincare and cosmetics to markets around the world.

At theJuice, Ali will tackle a challenge facing many established direct selling companies: How do you honor the legacy of a longstanding brand while making sure it remains relevant to today's consumer? She'll share some of the real-world challenges Sunrider has encountered while evolving its product positioning in an increasingly crowded marketplace, including how her team is exploring AI and other emerging tools without sacrificing authenticity. Expect a practical, behind-the-scenes look at what's been tried, what's been learned and how established brands can continue evolving for what's next.

Ali on LinkedIn →

AI Isn’t the Strategy: How to Use AI to Support Customers & Sales

Sharif Sayed has built his career at the intersection of business growth, digital transformation and emerging technology. As a Solutions Business Consultant, he works with organizations to identify and implement innovative digital strategies that improve engagement, automate processes and create new opportunities across healthcare, eCommerce and digital marketplaces.

At theJuice, Sharif will bring an outside perspective to some of the technology questions facing direct selling executives today—particularly the rapidly expanding role of AI in how companies operate, engage customers and support their sales organizations. His focus isn't technology for technology's sake, but how new tools can solve real business problems, improve effectiveness and create better experiences.

Sharif is also the founder of Dayna's Footprints, a nonprofit dedicated to providing quality footwear to underprivileged students. That experience has reinforced a philosophy that carries throughout his work: innovation is most meaningful when it ultimately makes a difference for people.

Sharif on LinkedIn →