About Organizers

Whitny Sobala is a purpose-driven brand strategist, social innovator, marketer and mentor. In her 20+ years of experience, Whitny has built brands, engaged communities and co-created culture for both established CPG companies and emerging startups. Whitny started her career at PepsiCo, where she spent 12 years honing her Marketing expertise through various leadership roles including, brand management, media strategy, sports marketing and innovation for multi-million dollar, joint venture and emerging lifestyle brands, such as Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Lipton Brisk, Sierra Mist and SoBe. Motivated by her strong entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, Whitny made the move to NYC-based start-up, Quirky.com, where she helped lay the foundation for growth and build marketing launch plans. Passionate about unlocking the potential of people and brands to drive positive social change, Whitny then founded Added Perk, a brand consulting firm that partners and collaborates with social impact ventures and conscious business leaders to create brand affirming workplace cultures and deliver brand “purpose” through culturally relevant brand strategy and business innovation. In this capacity, Whitny has advised and consulted on a number of brands and businesses including, Sambazon, Make it Happy, Rally.co, Do Anything Foods, Merchant’s Daughter Hard Cider, Alex’s Lemonade Stand and Better Spaces. Whitny is also the co-founder of the public benefit corporation, ŪMEWE (‘you-me-we’). ŪMEWE is a collaboratively-built, locally expressed, lifestyle brand that turns Optimism into action. Among our many products and projects is International Optimism Yellow, a color developed in collaboration with fellow Optimist, artist and (art)repreneur Riley Johndonnell and the Pantone Color Institute, as well as “We Are INTOyellow,” a locally adaptable civic campaign that celebrates Optimism and Resilience in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Whitny holds a BA degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated Magna cum laude with a Marketing concentration from the Wharton School of Business. She is an Optimist to the core and believes in living an experiential, wholistic life. She loves travelling, reiki, farm-to-table dining and historic bars and restaurants. Whitny has a first degree black belt in Isshinryu Karate; and the daughter of a tennis pro, practically grew up on a tennis court. She is married and is the proud mother of two small girls.