Ponce is currently Associate VP & Assistant General Counsel of Eli Lilly and Company. He advises business unit leadership on a wide range of clinical, FDA and commercial drug development matters across multiple product lines. Prior to joining Lilly in 1999, Ponce spent nearly five years in private practice with the law firm of Ice Miller. While at Ice Miller, Ponce practiced in the healthcare and private equity groups of the firm. Upon graduation from North Carolina A&T with a B.S. degree in Business Administration, Ponce served an apprenticeship under the late Dr. Leroy T. Walker, President Emeritus of the U.S. Olympic committee.  Ponce started his professional career in Indianapolis following graduation from the Howard University School of Law. As an entrepreneur, Ponce is also a founder of the Down South Beverage Company, the manufacturer of Still Moon, The Sophisticated Sipping Shine that is currently commercialized in Indiana, N.C., Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kansas, Kentucky and Texas. Ponce also founded and operates an equestrian operation that owns, breeds, trains and shows championship Hunter/Jumper/Dressage horses. As a self-trained cook, Ponce brings a passion to the focus on being mindful of the food you eat to promote better digestion, keep you full with less food, and influence wiser choices about what you eat in the future. Ponce focuses on educating people on the importance of balance, quality, and timing in eating habits.