Michelle Wahler Adams
Michelle Wahler Adams is an entrepreneur, business leader and mother. In 2005, she co-founded the active lifestyle company Beyond Yoga, where as CEO, she built the product and brand from the ground up. What started as a mere concept led to a global wholesale business, ecommerce site and opening of six retail stores, selling tens of millions of units around the world over the course of nearly 20 years. Michelle built a female focused organization with an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, diversity and empowerment both among employees and customers. She skillfully navigated negotiations and led her team through the brand’s acquisition by Levi Strauss & Co. in 2021. Post acquisition, she continued her role as CEO of Beyond Yoga and joined the Executive Leadership Team of Levi Strauss.
Michelle was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2021, and as a DEIA Visionary by the LA Times in 2023.
Michelle is originally from Maryland and began her career while living in New York City. She now lives in Los Angeles and is married with two children and two dogs. Michelle is active in a number of philanthropic causes through the family foundation she created with her husband. She also finds joy in painting, reading, and exploring through travel.
Michelle was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2021, and as a DEIA Visionary by the LA Times in 2023.
Michelle is originally from Maryland and began her career while living in New York City. She now lives in Los Angeles and is married with two children and two dogs. Michelle is active in a number of philanthropic causes through the family foundation she created with her husband. She also finds joy in painting, reading, and exploring through travel.
Jesse Adams
Jesse Adams is an experienced COO, CFO and entrepreneur. He most recently held the title of COO and CFO at Beyond Yoga, a body positive athletic and lifestyle clothing brand. For over a decade, he helped scale and profitably grow the business from $4 million to almost $120 million annually. He helped drive and lead the company through its sale to Levi Strauss & Co. in 2021 for over $400 million. He then remained in his role for over two years to continue to drive growth and ensure a successful transition.
At Beyond Yoga, alongside the CEO and Co-Founder, he led the overall strategy and execution of the business. His core responsibilities included all operational and financial aspects of the company – he built and ran the ecommerce business, created the customer acquisition and retention funnel, oversaw all paid digital media, and drove profitable growth that was a critical part of the company's ultimate success.
Along with ecommerce, Jesse implemented and operated the company’s ERP system, warehouse, logistics, shipping, financial and accounting teams, planning, human resources and office real estate. He worked alongside the CEO to develop the short and long-term growth strategy including product focus, marketing, wholesale and overall DTC business.
Prior to Beyond Yoga he was advising companies in the retail, film and technology industries. Jesse worked with them to develop and refine their business model ensuring they had the ability to execute, scale and create value. During this time he served as an advisor to RYOT.org (acquired in 2016 by AOL/HuffPo), IM Global and others.
He also served as VP of Ad Operations and Analytics at adtech startup TrueX, which was acquired by 21st Century Fox in 2014 for $200 million. He also previously held the title of Director of Corporate Development at MGM Studios, where he helped lead the financial component of the green light process with studio executives. During his time there he worked closely with internal teams to aid in the reorganization of the company to be more stable for long-term growth, and it was ultimately sold to Amazon in 2021.
Before moving to Los Angeles in 2007, he worked in NYC as an investment banker for Cohen & Steers and Barclays Capital.
Jesse is originally from Maryland and began his career while living in New York City. He now lives in Los Angeles and is married with two children and two dogs. Jesse is active in a number of philanthropic causes through the family foundation he created with his wife. He also enjoys staying active, playing sports and poker, reading, and traveling.
At Beyond Yoga, alongside the CEO and Co-Founder, he led the overall strategy and execution of the business. His core responsibilities included all operational and financial aspects of the company – he built and ran the ecommerce business, created the customer acquisition and retention funnel, oversaw all paid digital media, and drove profitable growth that was a critical part of the company's ultimate success.
Along with ecommerce, Jesse implemented and operated the company’s ERP system, warehouse, logistics, shipping, financial and accounting teams, planning, human resources and office real estate. He worked alongside the CEO to develop the short and long-term growth strategy including product focus, marketing, wholesale and overall DTC business.
Prior to Beyond Yoga he was advising companies in the retail, film and technology industries. Jesse worked with them to develop and refine their business model ensuring they had the ability to execute, scale and create value. During this time he served as an advisor to RYOT.org (acquired in 2016 by AOL/HuffPo), IM Global and others.
He also served as VP of Ad Operations and Analytics at adtech startup TrueX, which was acquired by 21st Century Fox in 2014 for $200 million. He also previously held the title of Director of Corporate Development at MGM Studios, where he helped lead the financial component of the green light process with studio executives. During his time there he worked closely with internal teams to aid in the reorganization of the company to be more stable for long-term growth, and it was ultimately sold to Amazon in 2021.
Before moving to Los Angeles in 2007, he worked in NYC as an investment banker for Cohen & Steers and Barclays Capital.
Jesse is originally from Maryland and began his career while living in New York City. He now lives in Los Angeles and is married with two children and two dogs. Jesse is active in a number of philanthropic causes through the family foundation he created with his wife. He also enjoys staying active, playing sports and poker, reading, and traveling.