Meet the Team
Meet the Team
Mikaila Ulmer – Founder and CEO
As the founder and CEO of Me & the Bees as well the author of bestselling book Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid, Mikaila keeps the company’s mission of helping save and protect the bees at the forefront while inspiring the next generation of changemakers with her story. She has been running the company since she started selling her all-natural lemonade out front of her Austin, Texas home when she was just four. Now with product distribution in all 50 states, Mikaila is determined for Me & the Bees to become America’s favorite lemonade.
Theo Ulmer – Chief Operating Officer
As our “Chief Worker Bee,” Theo heads up operations and finance for Me & the Bees, meaning he oversees business development, expansion, product innovations, and key supplier and partner relationships. With 30+ years experience in management and financial administration, including 20 years at Dell, Theo brings valuable financial planning and analytical skills to the business.
D’Andra Ulmer – Chief Marketing Bee
In addition to being a total super mom, D’Andra is fully focused on Me & the Bees, bringing nearly 30 years of marketing and branding experience to the company, including working at Xerox and AMD previously. She sets and strategy for and executes marketing, PR and brand visibility across all channels for the brand, Mikaila’s book, and the Healthy Hive Foundation. She also serves as the head of sales support and social responsibility efforts.
Shon Whigham – Director of Operations
To further ensure Me & the Bees is well poised for continuous growth, the company brought on Shon to manage logistics, supply chain, warehousing and distribution. He joins the company after a long tenure at Keurig Dr. Pepper where he worked in operations and fleet supervision. Shon is instrumental in maintaining excellence in service levels and product quality while maintaining and cultivating key relationships within the industry.
Devon Ponds – The Numbers Guy
A licensed CPA, Devon Ponds provides accounting and financial oversight, reporting, budgeting, and strategic direction for Me & the Bees. With a Masters in Professional Accounting from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas he began his career in public accounting with PricewaterhouseCoopers before transitioning into the beverage industry. As the former CFO of Port Brewing/The Lost Abbey, Devon spearheaded multiple expansions and strategic initiatives, improved systems, and increased margins. He also has consulted for a variety of food and beverage companies.
Tom Izzo – Head of Business Development
Tom Izzo brings decades of business development and cross functional expertise in consumer and industrial marketing, supply chain, operations, and finance to the brand. Having worked with FDM and Noble Foods most recently, one his key strengths is new product management from concept to introduction. Tom’s strategic vision, leadership, and track record in growing sustainable development initiatives and healthy product opportunities has helped take Me & The Bees to the next level. He was integral in securing the Target partnership and has helped increase distribution.
Shana Jones – Office Manager & Executive Assistant
Starting as a teenager, Shana has learned through working in administrative and customer service roles for over 25 years. She always does her best to ensure bee-lievers have an optimum experience with Me & the Bees while helping to support the team with the same level of consideration and focus. Shana graduated from Texas State with a BA in English and a minor in Business Management.
Kate Lowery – Public Relations & Communications Strategist
With 30 years of public relations and strategic communications experience both agency and client side, Kate works with Me & The Bees to amplify the brand’s visibility using the power of earned and owned media. Whether it’s managing Mikaila’s media interviews, releasing new product updates, or handling awards submissions, Kate works closely with D’Andra to ensure the brand gets the recognition it deserves. She first met Mikaila years ago at Whole Foods Market where she was the Vice President of communications for 15 years.
Joe Stallone – Attorney
With many years of entertainment, litigation, employment, trade secret protection and contractual law experience, Joe provides legal counsel to Me & the Bees. Currently a partner at Oaks, Hartline and Daly, he earned his J.D. at Baylor University and attended Penn State for undergrad.
Yolanda Owens – HR and Recruiting Consultant
Yolanda Owens, SPHR, is an experienced HR professional with over 2 decades of Fortune 500 and start-up human resources experience working with Sales Force, Dell and Applied Materials in the past. With Yolanda Owens Consulting; End to End HR Solutions, Yolanda provides a practical approach to human resources focusing on organization and leadership development while delivering strategic business goals for Me & the Bees as it continues to grow the brand.
Honey – Team Mascot
The Ulmers dog, appropriately named Honey, is the team mascot who brightens the office as the team mascot. She is a three-year old schnauzer who loves squirrels and traveling with Mikaila. Honey is very sweet and disciplined and loves to be rewarded with honey-sweetened treats.