Made by Students, for Students

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It all began when...

Junior, Mia Lopez noticed a gap at The University of Oregon and within its greater community. Sent home by covid and itching for a project, she recruited her best friend, Alden Schatz, and they decided to fill it. As the idea morphed into a business, Mia and Alden felt a shift themselves: students into student-entrepreneurs.

Their product, Waddle, is an off campus meal plan for their fellow students. The Waddle Meal Plan allows parents/guardians to upload money for their student’s food finances that is spent only at participating food vendors. The founders aspire to create a culture that encourages students to support their local eateries while saving money on food through various discounts and rewards. Waddle looks to give transparency to parents who aren’t exactly sure where their money is being spent while allowing students to connect with the wonderful environment around them.

Since last spring, Waddle’s founders have participated and placed in various business competitions. Notably, Waddle Meal Plan won New Venture of the Year at The University of Oregon, placed as the top undergraduates in every competition they competed in and was awarded The Rainmaker Grant Award.

Meet the Team

  • Alden Schatz

    Alden Schatz is a Co-Founder of Waddle Meal Plan Inc. Alden is an undergraduate at the University of Oregon, double majoring in Business and Psychology. Alden is responsible for leading the company and making major decisions for the organization. Alden is a dedicated and passionate member of the Waddle team. He aims to use his vision of the company to find success for all of the stakeholders involved.

  • Mia Lopez

    Mia Lopez is a Co-Founder of Waddle Meal Plan Inc. Mia is an undergraduate at the University of Oregon, majoring in Business. Mia provides a tremendous creative mindset to the Waddle team. She is responsible for making lead decisions in marketing tactics and customer acquisition. Mia is an experienced leader. Mia is responsible for obtaining growth through sales and marketing.

  • Kyra Pacific

    Kyra is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Waddle Meal Plan Inc. She is an undergraduate at the University of Oregon, earning degrees in Advertising and Public Relations. Kyra is a creative asset to the team who has helped develop Waddle’s digital presence since launch day. Alongside Mia, she develops marketing strategies and contributes to major decisions to bridge the team with our consumers.

  • Tierney White

    Tierney is an intern at Waddle Meal Plan Inc. She is an undergraduate in the Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon, majoring in Business. As an intern, Tierney aids in key communication between Waddle and our partners. Day to day, she is maintaining relationships between restaurants and campus organizations in order to broaden Waddle’s reach throughout Eugene.

  • Tate Eames

    Tate is an intern at Waddle Meal Plan Inc. He is also an undergraduate in the Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon, majoring in Business. Tate works as a Sales Intern alongside Alden in order to maximize Waddle’s potential to expand into the Eugene market. By aiding in sales pitches, creating decks, and assisting in daily tasks, he helps Waddle get in the hands of students and restaurants around campus.

Meet the Advisors

  • Jeff Haupt

    Red Card Meal Plan owner and founder Jeff Haupt has deep roots in Madison. A UW marketing and management grad, Jeff is a consummate entrepreneur, publishing and sales executive, and successful businessman. Jeff has been a key advisor to the success of Waddle. He has provided key insights and partnerships that made Waddle possible.

  • Drew Pendergrass

    Drew Pendergrass is the owner of Flatiron Meal Plan in Boulder, CO. Drew has helped guide the team to success and has provided many resources he uses for his own company. His social media marketing, strategic planning, and business development skills have extremely benefitted the Waddle team.

  • Joe Maruschak

    Joe Maruschak has guided the team through many company milestones. He has been a startup founder, the Managing Director of an award-winning accelerator, a seed fund manager, a startup coach, and a startup community connector. Joe has provided Waddle with his startup advising skills and has been a huge support to the company.

  • Nathan Lillegard

    Nathan Lillegard, our first advisor, excels in startup planning and development, business model design and teaching, early-stage capital investments, and startup leadership. Nathan walks Waddle Meal Plan through business developments as well as any startup resources that the founders are in search of.

  • Andrew Moreland

    Andrew Moreland is one of the Waddle team’s most recent mentors. He currently is employed as financial controller of the Duck Store. His entrepreneurial and accounting experience provides the team with sound financial decision-making. Andrew also advises merchant acquisition strategy, as he brings with him a deep understanding of merchant needs.