Thistle and Star Ventures

Thistle and Star Ventures exists to help businesses identify what’s limiting their growth and develop the strategy to move them forward. Whether you’re launching a new product, entering a new market, strengthening your brand, or navigating your next stage of growth, we bring executive-level marketing leadership, commercialization expertise, and practical business strategy to help you move forward with confidence.

Every business reaches a point where experience matters. Whether navigating rapid growth, entering a new market, launching a product, or redefining a brand, success depends on having the right strategy. Thistle & Star Ventures exists to provide that strategic guidance, helping organizations make confident decisions that lead to sustainable growth.

Founder & CEO

Founded by Gael J. B. Orr, Thistle & Star Ventures combines executive-level strategic leadership with practical commercialization expertise. With more than 25 years of experience in brand strategy, business development, and market growth, Gael has helped organizations launch new products, strengthen market positions, and develop strategies that generate measurable business results.

Throughout her career, she has worked with emerging brands, established manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and private label organizations, leading initiatives across commercialization, product development, packaging innovation, and strategic marketing. Her work has been recognized with four national packaging design awards and a proven record of delivering sustainable growth across multiple industries.

Today, Gael partners with businesses as a strategic advisor, helping organizations navigate complex growth challenges through commercialization strategy, business development, and marketing leadership.

Experience That Delivers Results

For more than 25 years, Gael has led strategic marketing, commercialization, and business development initiatives across the food, manufacturing, retail, and consumer products industries. Her work has helped companies launch award-winning products, strengthen national brands, expand into new markets, and generate measurable business growth.

Her experience spans:

• Commercialization Strategy
• Business Development
• Product Launches
• Brand Development
• Packaging Design
• Retail & Private Label
• E-commerce
• Cross-functional Leadership

National Packaging Design Awards

Recipient of four national packaging design awards recognizing excellence in branding, innovation, and consumer packaging design.

Industry Leadership

• 25+ years of executive leadership in marketing, commercialization, and business development
• Multi-million-dollar revenue growth initiatives
• Award-winning product launches
• 2.2+ billion earned media impressions generated through strategic public relations initiatives
• Executive experience leading cross-functional teams across marketing, sales, R&D, product development, and operations

Education

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Master of Science
Human Resource Development

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Bachelor of Science
International Business

International Business Studies:

Sheffield Hallam University
International Business Study Abroad Program

• Artificial Intelligence for Business and Marketing
• Commercialization Strategy
• Brand Development & Positioning
• Digital Marketing & Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Consumer Insights & Market Research
• Public Relations & Strategic Communications
• E-commerce Strategy
• Leadership Development
• Sales & Business Development

Board Leadership

Gael Orr has served on nonprofit and corporate boards dedicated to business, education, agriculture, and cultural preservation.

• Founder & Executive Director, Western New York Sidesaddle & Equestrian Heritage Society (2021-Present)
• Board Member, Seven Generations of Stewards (2022-Present)
• Board Member, Once Again Nut Butter (2020-2023)
• Board Member, American Sidesaddle Association (2020-2022)
• Board Member, Domestic Fair Trade Association (2014-2017)