Founder, Illuminate Growth Partners | Brand & Growth Strategist
Mario launched Illuminate Growth Partners to give CPG brands senior-level strategic leadership without the cost of a full-time hire or the slow ramp-up of a large agency. As a brand and growth strategist, he works alongside founders, CEOs, and CMOs of $20MM to $200MM brands to sharpen their competitive positioning and turn it into an executable growth plan.
Over more than 30 years, Mario has helped build category leaders and category creators, from PowerBar and Keen Footwear in their early, high-growth years to Del Monte Foods, where he grew the innovation portfolio 500% to $300MM in retail sales and launched JOYBA bubble tea.
Combining a classically trained CPG marketing skillset with an entrepreneurial mindset, Mario helps brands turn momentum into sustainable, long-term growth, covering innovation pipelines, brand positioning, and go-to-market strategy.
Mario serves on the Naturally NorCal board and the Education Committee.