Executive Management Team

Joni Rogers-Kante

Founder, CEO and Chairwoman

Joni Rogers-Kante is the visionary and driving force behind SeneGence^®. Her dream of developing a company that gave women an opportunity to build their own business regardless of age, background, or education has become a phenomenal success, with offices in five countries and hundreds of thousands of Independent Distributors across the globe.

Joni began her career at 16 years old, working for the Sav-On Corporation. By 23, she was the Assistant Manager of the highest-performing store in the Sav-On chain. Having learned from high-level management, buyers, and operations experts, she knew the corporate structure was not for her. Joni was introduced to a direct sales cosmetic company, and her 13-year career produced jewelry, cars, awards, trips, and recognition, and most importantly, a burning desire to create her own company. Armed with a plan and her business experience, Joni pursued her dream of becoming an entrepreneur. In 1999, SeneGence and its flagship product, LipSense^®, were born. Joni’s guiding principle for the company every step of the way has been, “Choose to Live Life in Love and Abundance, and Then Work for It!”

In the early days of the company, Joni traveled around the world with a team of scientists and botanists to find ingredients for SeneGence’s unique skin care and cosmetic formulas. Currently, Joni oversees the company’s overall vision and more than hundreds of employees in SeneGence’s U.S. offices, and she is actively involved with trips, events, and the development and marketing of new products and training programs.

In 2020 alone, Joni was installed as a Board Member of the Direct Selling Education Foundation, and The Orange County Business Journal named her one of the area’s most influential business leaders and the owner of the largest woman-owned business in the county. In 2018, she received Direct Selling News’ Bravo Award and the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award by the Orange County Business Journal. Joni is the Founder of SeneGence’s nonprofit organization, The Make Sense Foundation^®, and is an active member of the Orange and Creek County communities. She is also the author of Million Dollar Lips.

Ben Kante

Chief Strategy Officer (CSO)

With 30 years of experience in business systems strategy, operational efficiency, and strategic planning, Ben Kante serves as the Chief Strategy Officer at SeneGence. He leads the company’s global expansion, process optimization, and digital transformation efforts, ensuring scalable growth and innovation.

Ben's expertise in business strategy and problem-solving has been instrumental in developing distributor accounting structures, streamlining internal operations, and enhancing media production. His ability to rapidly learn and optimize complex business systems has helped SeneGence navigate evolving market demands while strengthening its digital presence.

Beyond SeneGence, Ben is the CEO of the Kante Group, overseeing a diverse portfolio in real estate development, entertainment, video production, and health and science investments. He also serves on the boards of SeneGence, the Make Sense Foundation, and the XPRIZE Innovation Board, contributing to business innovation and philanthropic initiatives.

A results-driven leader, Ben values efficiency, adaptability, and continuous improvement. An adventurer at heart, he has managed SCUBA resorts and dive fleets worldwide, is an internationally published writer and award-winning filmmaker, and holds a U.S. Coast Guard Master’s License for 100-ton vessels. A lifelong leader, he also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

Guiding Principle:
“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

Alan Kante

Chief Experience Officer (CXO)

Alan Kante plays a pivotal role in driving SeneGence’s success in the direct sales industry. With dual bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Psychology from the University of California, Alan brings a deep understanding of human behavior and strategic thinking to his role.

Alan’s expertise spans talent acquisition, research and development, and innovating direct sales strategies for the modern market. His innovative approach has led to the creation of multiple patented and patent-pending products, cementing SeneGence's reputation as a leader in beauty innovation.

A self-proclaimed nerd, Alan’s passions range from microbiology to sci-fi. His long-time Instagram bio features a beloved Douglas Adams quote: “In the beginning, the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.”

Leadership Philosophy:
"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being." – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Kirsten Aguilar

Senior Vice President, Field Support, Communications & Culture

With a deep passion for direct selling, Kirsten Aguilar is dedicated to empowering independent Distributors through training, community support, and brand-building initiatives. She leads efforts to enhance field development, communication, and company culture, ensuring SeneGence remains a top choice for entrepreneurs.

Kirsten has spent 15 years at SeneGence, growing from a Marketing Manager to an Executive Vice President. With prior roles in marketing and international development at other direct sales companies, she brings a wealth of experience to her leadership position. She also serves on the board of the Make Sense Foundation.

Kirsten holds a B.A. in Communications and an Executive Certificate from the Wharton School of Business.

Guiding Principle:
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." – Eleanor Roosevelt

Melanie Bradshaw

SVP - Global Marketing Operations

With an extensive career in events management, Melanie Bradshaw has led teams in organizing large-scale business events for up to 35,000 attendees across 35+ countries. Her expertise spans both association and private sector event production.

Melanie’s career began at Oral Roberts University, where she managed a team of 45 overseeing campus events and venue operations. She later held senior roles at PennWell Corporation and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, where she managed global event operations in the U.S., Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

Since joining SeneGence, Melanie has transformed international live events and recognition programs, adapting them into dynamic virtual and hybrid experiences. Her leadership has reshaped SeneGence’s legacy recognition programs and incentives with a fresh, modern approach.

Brian Manahan

Senior Vice President, IT

As Senior Vice President of IT, Brian is the driving force behind the technology strategy that powers the company’s growth and operational efficiency. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Brian leads the charge in managing our IT infrastructure, ecommerce platforms, cybersecurity, software development, and data management efforts.

Brian’s leadership style is rooted in servant leadership—empowering employees to excel and fostering a culture of trust and accountability. His mantra? "Ideas are easy. Execution is everything." And when it comes to making things happen, Brian’s all about doing it now.

Before joining us, Brian held key leadership positions at Litronic, SSP Solutions, Liquipel, Forval International, and WePower, where he played an instrumental role in securing over $50 million in funding for startup ventures and led innovative projects that delivered measurable results, like a 400% increase in picking efficiency for SeneGence with the implementation of a cart picking system.

Brian holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from California Polytechnic University, Pomona, and an MBA from the University of Southern California. When he's not leading tech initiatives, he’s thinking about ways to simplify complex processes and accelerate progress—always with the goal of improving outcomes for everyone involved.

Guiding Principle:
“The goal of technology is not to complicate, but to simplify and accelerate progress.”

Jenelle Moad

Vice President , Product Development

As Vice President of Product Development at SeneGence, Jenelle Moad leads the innovation, strategy, and execution behind the brand’s product portfolio, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, trend-forward cosmetics and skincare. With 13 years of experience in the makeup and direct sales industry, Jenelle specializes in product innovation, formulation development, and market trend analysis. From concept to launch, she manages the entire product lifecycle to ensure every product aligns with the SeneGence brand vision and meets the evolving needs of Distributors and Customers worldwide.

Throughout her tenure at SeneGence, Jenelle has held progressive roles within the Marketing department and Product Development, gaining valuable cross-functional expertise. Her leadership has been pivotal in the creation of hundreds of iconic products, including LipSense Bella, LipSense Cream Hydrating Long-Lasting Lip Color, the LashSense Mascara line, Glowify, ShadowSense shades, EyeSense, BlushSense, and more—lines that have helped drive the company’s growth and success.

Jenelle holds a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She leads with creativity, collaboration, and a Distributor- and customer-centric mindset, believing that the best products emerge from the intersection of trend awareness, true innovation, and passion. Her guiding philosophy: continuous improvement and always putting the consumer first.

When not developing the next must-have beauty product, Jenelle enjoys chasing after her twin toddlers and spending time at home with her wife.

Guiding Principle:
"Your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude." - Michelle Obama

Varun Koneru

Vice President – R&D, Quality, and Regulatory

As Vice President of R&D, Quality, and Regulatory at SeneGence, Varun Koneru leads scientific innovation, regulatory compliance, and product development initiatives across global markets. With over a decade of experience in the health, wellness, and beauty industries, he drives the creation of high-quality, scientifically backed skincare and wellness products that meet the most rigorous industry standards.

Varun’s expertise spans formulation development, quality assurance, regulatory strategy, and innovation management. Throughout his career, he has led cross-functional teams in developing products responsible for nearly half a billion dollars in annual sales. His work has brought products to more than 35 countries, solidifying his reputation as a global leader in the industry.

Prior to joining SeneGence, Varun held leadership roles at renowned direct sales organizations, where he spearheaded successful product launches, regulatory approvals, and quality operations. His scientific contributions have been featured in peer-reviewed journals, with research focused on food science, biotechnology, skincare, and nutrition.

Varun holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Biotechnology from Anna University, India, and a Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Science from Utah State University. He is an active member of the Institute of Food Technologists and the American Oil Chemists’ Society, staying at the forefront of industry trends.

Guiding Principle:
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Heather Cupp

Vice President, Product Development

As Vice President of Human Resources at SeneGence, Heather Cupp leads HR strategy, talent development, and organizational growth initiatives across the company. With over 16 years of leadership experience, she has partnered with mid-to-large organizations in industries such as telecom, energy, supply chain, and logistics, helping shape high-performing teams and people-first cultures.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Heather is passionate about workforce development and mentorship. She serves as Vice President of Finance on the Board of the Association for Talent Development, mentors emerging leaders through the OSU Spears School of Business, and actively supports veteran employment as a Veterans Employer Liaison in the greater Tulsa Metro community.

Heather holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification and has earned a Data Analytics Certificate from Cornell University. She is committed to continuous learning and fostering innovation in leadership, learning & development, and talent strategy.

When she’s not building thriving teams, Heather enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors.

Guiding Principle:
“You don’t build a business, you build people, and people build the business.” – Zig Ziglar

Nathalie Cedeno

General Counsel

As General Counsel at SeneGence, Nathalie Cedeno oversees the Legal and Compliance Departments, ensuring the company’s operations align with regulatory standards. A member of the California State Bar, she brings nearly a decade of legal knowledge, having advanced from Legal Assistant to General Counsel at SeneGence.

Nathalie holds a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Applied Psychology from UC Santa Barbara, graduating Cum Laude. She later earned her J.D. from Western State College of Law, where she was a Dean’s Fellow and graduated with honors.

Nathalie’s contributions include contract negotiations, policy development, and intellectual property management. She also serves as Secretary of The Make Sense Foundation, SeneGence’s non-profit arm.

Outside of work, Nathalie enjoys traveling, culinary adventures, and spending time with her wife and their boy-girl twins.

Guiding Principle:
“I'm a very strong believer in listening and learning from others.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg