Connections and Conversations
David Bland, Publisher
One of my favorite assignments as Publisher is interviewing leading executives in the channel to seek their insights from the C-Suite. The Getting Real feature, published about six times per year, allows me to do that in the most fluid way possible: a Q&A format.
What was your cause or foundation’s biggest win this year?
This fall, MONAT Gratitude launched an initiative to help narrow the achievement gap in underserved communities around the world by pledging to donate $1 million through grants to eligible nonprofit organizations. We are focused on supporting K-12 programs that provide arts, music, sports or entrepreneurship opportunities to help students grow into knowledgeable, well-rounded adults. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to explore their talents and achieve their full potential. We are proud to expand our efforts through this program and hope these grants open doors to brighter futures for thousands of talented young people around the world.
— Lu Urdaneta, Founder and CEO, MONAT Gratitude
By: Jenna Lang Warford
They want to have a bigger impact; they want to be part of something bigger than themselves.
—Stuart MacMillan, President, MONAT Global
“We believe our lives will be defined by how we made them meaningful,” says Dallin A. Larsen, founder of Vasayo. And while he is referring to his company’s goal of blessing a million lives with clean water by funding a thousand new wells in Africa, his words represent the direct selling channel’s commitment as a whole to causes close to their distributors’ hearts.
By: David Bland
Dallin Larsen, a former Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year and Utah CEO of the Year, founded Vasayo in 2016. Prior to Vasayo, Larsen founded MonaVie in 2005 and grew that company from zero to nearly a billion dollars in annual sales in less than five years. Under Larsen’s direction, Vasayo’s philanthropic partnership with Hearts & Hands for Humanity has generated enough contributions to build more than 130 wells in Tanzania, Africa, delivering clean water to hundreds of thousands of people.
Founded: 2016
Location: Pleasant Grove, Utah
Website: vasayo.com
SSN: Tell us about your history in direct selling.
My first experience with network marketing was with Nu Skin in 1988. I was in my late 20s and living in San Diego, California. I fell in love with the industry and what it could do for me and my family as well as others. About a year later, a gentleman called to tell me about a new company and asked that I meet with the founder. So, I interviewed with Myron Wentz, the founder of USANA. One thing led to another, and the next thing I knew I was heading up sales for that company. We launched USANA in 1991, and I was with them for roughly 10 years. That’s where I cut my teeth and gained a lot of valuable experience.
ASHISH KHAN, AMWAY
Ashish Khan has joined Amway as chief technology and platform officer bringing nearly 30-year career in brand technology and enterprise architecture. He previously worked for the Estee Lauder Companies and Staples. He will focus on the customer shopping experience, digital innovation, technology partners, and data and analytics.
Chelsey Berend, StreamStream has promoted Chelsey Berend to vice president of field experience. Berend started at Stream as a receptionist and created new roles for herself at the company, founding the organization’s event department. Berend helped initiate the project Women of Power, which brings women together to support each other in business.
Erik Patterson, 4Life ResearchErik Patterson has been named vice president of North America at 4Life Research. Patterson joined 4Life in July 2018 as director of Southeast Asia. He has more than 25 years of experience in direct sales including time at Xyngular, MonaVie, XANGO and Nature’s Sunshine. Patterson’s geographical responsibilities will include the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.