Speakers

Mike Kuntz is a respected figure in the global food and beverage industry, known for his exemplary leadership and strategic acumen at Nestle, one of the world’s largest and most diversified food companies. With an extensive background in operations and management, Mike has played a pivotal role in driving Nestle’s success across various divisions and markets. His deep understanding of the industry coupled with his ability to navigate complex challenges has earned him a reputation as a results-driven executive. Throughout his tenure at Nestle, Mike has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to innovation and sustainability, spearheading initiatives that have not only propelled business growth but also contributed to positive societal and environmental impact. As a visionary leader, Mike Kuntz has championed a culture of excellence and continuous improvement within Nestle, inspiring teams to deliver best-in-class products and services while upholding the company’s core values. With his unwavering dedication and visionary leadership, Mike Kuntz continues to drive Nestle forward, shaping the future of the company and leaving a lasting legacy in the global food and beverage industry.

Francisco Camacho joined Grupo LALA in April 2025 as Chief Executive Officer. He brings with him an extensive global track record in the consumer goods industry, having held leadership roles across major multinational companies.

Prior to joining Grupo LALA, Francisco was part of FEMSA beginning in 2020, where he led and oversaw the Corporate Functions division—encompassing Finance, Corporate Development, Strategic Planning, Investor Relations, Process Compliance, Technology, Sustainability, and the FEMSA Foundation.

Before that he spent 20 years in Danone where as member of the Executive Committee he led the essential Dairy and Plant Based division globally and prior to that the Global Water Business. He was also Chief Growth Officer and held various regional and General Management positions across different countries and continents.

Francisco holds a degree in Computer Science and an MBA from Tecnológico de Monterrey.

Rachelle leads the enterprise global health, safety, and environment strategy at General Mills. This includes overall responsibility to protect people and communities by reducing enterprise safety and environmental risks, enhancing operational learning and efficiency, and complying with all laws, regulations, and company standards. In this role since 2023, serious injuries have declined and proactive identification of serious injury and fatality exposures has increased.

Rachelle joined General Mills in 2003 as an Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Associate Manager at the Midland, Ontario Canadian manufacturing facility where she spent 7 years in cross-functional roles of increasing responsibility, with an emphasis in Continuous Improvement (CI). In 2011, Rachelle relocated to the world headquarters in Minnesota to lead CI strategy for the International Division spanning twelve countries and forty manufacturing facilities, before stepping into the Director of Manufacturing Excellence role elevating her leadership and scope across the North America network inclusive of Canada and Mexico in 2021.

Rachelle returned to the EHS function as the Director of Health, Safety and Environment for the enterprise in 2023, with a focus on challenging traditional paradigms to accelerate the reduction of serious incident and fatality (SIF) exposures. Leveraging CI methodologies coupled with leadership and learning principles, she has driven initiatives that resonate with General Mills’ core values of protecting people and the planet, while simultaneously fostering a more inclusive, productive, and resilient workplace.

Rachelle grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and attended the University of Ottawa where she holds degrees in Psychology and Human Resources. She and her husband reside in the Minneapolis area and enjoy visiting their son who is a student at the University of New Brunswick, Canada.

Justin joined Mars Wrigley as the Global SQA Lead for Dairy in 2021. In his role, he leads the global supplier quality assurance programs for dairy and egg materials, as well as acts as the global dairy SME. Prior to joining Mars Wrigley, Justin has an extensive 20-year career in quality and food safety, working for many of the top dairy manufacturers across the US. Justin is also a fluid milk judge for the Collegiate Dairy Products Evaluation Contest and a Grade A Judge for the World Dairy Expo. He also serves as an industry advisor to the College of Agriculture at Mississippi State University. Starting in the Fall of 2025, Justin will become an adjunct professor leading the restart of the Dairy Foods Processing and Dairy Products Sensory/Judging Courses at Mississippi State University. Justin holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology from Mississippi State University.

Carlos Parodi, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is an Industrial Engineer from the University of Buenos Aires and holds an MBA from Universidad Austral – IAE. With over 35 years of experience in the soft drinks and beer industries, he built his career in multinational companies, including more than 25 years at Coca-Cola FEMSA, two years at Caterpillar, and most recently eight years at Constellation Brands, where he retired. A supply chain expert with deep operational experience and end-to-end strategic vision, Carlos has also led major engineering and project execution initiatives. He has further strengthened his expertise through executive and technical programs worldwide, including the Executive Development Program at Harvard Business School, the Master Brew Training Program at VLB México, the Supply Chain Excellence Program at Georgia Tech, the Operational Excellence Program at Coca-Cola in Mexico, leadership training at Tecnológico de Monterrey, and Coca-Cola’s Worldwide Program at Doemens School in Munich.

Marty Schoch is Executive Vice President of Supply Chain.  Mr. Schoch is responsible for planning, leading and directing all strategic and operational aspects of supply chain for B&G Foods.  Mr. Schoch is responsible for our procurement, inventory planning, warehousing & distribution, engineering, sales & operations planning,  food safety & quality assurance and consumer affairs functions.  Mr. Schoch joined B&G Foods in 2008 as Director of Purchasing and over the years has been promoted several times to supply chain roles with increasing responsibility.  Mr. Schoch was promoted to his current position in 2024.  Prior to B&G Foods, Mr. Schoch worked at The Manischewitz Company in various supply chain roles.

Supply Chain leader with over 30 years of experience in the CPG-FMCG industry at Kellogg’s, Nabisco, Kraft Foods and Planters. Recently joined Just Born Quality Confections, maker of iconic classics including Peeps, Mike and Ike, Hot Tamales and Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews as the VP Supply Chain and Operations. Global business to business experience with Puratos, an innovative ingredient supplier specializing in bakery, patisserie and chocolate. Skilled in Strategic Planning, Plant Management, New Product and Packaging Commercialization, Engineering, Operational Excellence (LEAN/Six Sigma/TPM) and P&L Management. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rochester and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University.

Evelyn Parks rejoined Kellanova as VP, Global EHS on July 11, 2022.

Prior to re-joining Kellanova, Ms. Parks served as NA Lead for Mondelez and Sr. Director, EHS for Frito Lay. She has gained 12 years in Senior Leadership experience. This includes 13 years of work experience for the Kellogg Company.

Ms. Parks dedicates her personal time to mentoring young professionals. She is also a speaker in several EHS forums mainly behind the inclusivity of women in EHS.

In July 2021, the Women in Manufacturing published her career and success story in a Nationwide Podcast. When she is not working, Ms. Parks enjoys spending time with her two daughters and volunteering in her community.

Ray Reddrick is Senior Vice President of Manufacturing and Distillation for Diageo North America. Diageo has an outstanding collection of more than 200 brands making the organization a global leader in the beverage alcohol industry. Jonnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit, Smirnoff, Cîroc, Ketel One, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray, and Guinness represent a sample of the consumer products reach Diageo has across more than 180 countries.

Mr. Reddrick has developed a diverse background across several industries in the manufacturing and CPG supply space. Prior to joining Diageo in January of 2023, Mr. Reddrick consulted supporting Diageo’s strategic growth strategy for their domestic and international business. Mr. Reddrick has held supply chain leadership roles with Heartland Coca-Cola as the Vice President of Supply Chain where he played a critical leadership role in the total enterprise start-up of a new $700 million dollar Coca-Cola beverage manufacturing and distribution franchise business. Additionally, Ray has held critical supply chain leadership roles as director of manufacturing for PepsiCo, Land O’ Lakes, Data replication leadership with Sony where he executed the manufacturing acceptance testing for Sony’s Play Station format and the manufacturing liaison for Harmon Motive a tier one supplier of high-end transducers branded as JBL, infinity and Harmon Kardon. The Harmon Kardon premium products were specially engineered for Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Land Rover, Toyota, GM, and Fords high end product offerings installed at site automotive assembly locations across the US and Canada. Mr. Reddrick has over 30 years of manufacturing and supply chain experience transforming supply networks to deliver world-class businesses and operations results throughout his career.

Mr. Reddrick has extended his leadership talents outside of the manufacturing space providing leadership guidance, governance and strategic thought leadership while serving on the following boards:

South Fulton Georgia Chamber of Commerce (2008 – 2013)

• Board of Directors Member
• Executive Board Member

American Red Cross – Georgia (20011 – 2013)

• Diversity Recruitment Board Member

Fulton Industrial Community Improvement District (2010 – 2013)

• Executive Board Member – Commissioner Appointment
• Appointed by Commissioner William Bill Edwards – Vice Chairman Board of Commissioners – Atlanta, Ga

Coca-Cola National Product Supply Bord Member (2019 – 2021)

Southeastern Container Company Board Member (2020 – 2021)

Illinois Manufacturer’s Association Board Member (2023 – Current)

Mr. Reddrick earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology – Manufacturing Systems from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina.

North America is the largest business unit and market for Diageo contributing over 50% of the company’s operating profit. Diageo North America’s supply organization represents the leading producer of alcoholic beverages distilled, blended, matured, barreled, brewed, bottled, and warehoused in the market. North America operates over 12 domestic facilities across the United States, Canada and U.S.V.I.

Carter Figueroa is the Chief Operating Officer of Melinda’s Foods, LLC, where he leads strategic operations across supply chain, finance, sales, and marketing for one of the fastest-growing hot sauce brands in the U.S. Since joining Melinda’s in 2021, he has spearheaded key initiatives including international co-manufacturer expansions, a major distribution relocation project, and a $5 million capital raise. He previously served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel, overseeing the company’s legal affairs, governance, and strategic transactions.

Before transitioning to the food and beverage industry, Carter practiced corporate law in New Orleans with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, international contracts, and tax planning. He is an alumnus of Tulane University Law School and The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. Carter also speaks Spanish, French, and Portuguese, bringing a global perspective to both legal and operational leadership.

Dan brings over 23 years of leadership experience at The J.M. Smucker Company, with deep expertise across operations, engineering and R&D. He currently leads the central engineering function, supporting all operations and overseeing capital planning and execution. Throughout his career, Dan has made a lasting impact on some of the industry’s most beloved brands, spanning jams and jellies, pet food, peanut butter, baked goods and coffee. However, what drives him most is a passion for people — both the consumers who enjoy these products every day and the employees who help bring them to life. In 2022, Dan was honored with the Peter Erikson Award for his volunteer work with Partners in Food Solutions. He holds a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from the University of Dayton and an MBA from the University of Cincinnati.

Celeste Rincon is a results-driven Continuous Improvement Manager at Dessert Holdings, where she leads initiatives to optimize efficiency, reduce waste, and drive sustainable growth across high-volume food manufacturing operations. Originally from Venezuela, she brings nearly a decade of leadership experience transforming operations in both North and South America.

Celeste’s career has been defined by measurable impact. She has led multimillion-dollar cost-savings initiatives, including a $1M+ waste reduction project through direct labor optimization and tighter material control, and has unlocked up to 20% additional capacity in multiple facilities by eliminating process bottlenecks.

Her technical foundation includes an Industrial Engineering degree and MBA, along with advanced certifications in Lean Six Sigma (Black Belt – Purdue University), Dairy and Meat Science, and Project Management. She is an active member of the American Quality Society (AQS).

Celeste’s leadership style is both assertive and collaborative, shaped by a commitment to innovation, accountability, and inclusive plant culture. At WFMS, she will share real-world strategies for converting food waste into profit, showcasing how circular economy principles can create competitive advantage in food manufacturing.

Grayson is a Senior Executive with extensive U.S. and International experience in technology, media, telecommunications, manufacturing, food, and turnarounds in Fortune 500 companies and start-up businesses. He has the ability to translate ideas, concepts and technology into business solutions that produce measurable financial and operational results.

Grayson has previously served as the CEO, CFO, COO, and EVP for a number of public and private companies. Moreover, Grayson led two successful stock offerings, many private equity offerings, and various private and government debt transactions.

Grayson received his MBA in Finance and Management Information Systems from the University of Denver. And he received his Accounting degree from the University of North Dakota.

Kiran Mann is the CEO of the Consolidated Group of Brar’s.

Where she leads one of North America’s most recognized South Asian food brands across three core categories: dairy, snacks, and sweets. With a clear mission to deliver “vegetarian done better,” Kiran champions a bold yet balanced approach—honoring traditional roots while evolving through innovation and technology to meet the changing needs of today’s consumers.

Under her leadership, Brar’s dairy portfolio has experienced significant growth, with high-quality products such as Paneer, Ghee, Dahi and Makhni now widely available through major retailers including Walmart, Costco, and Loblaws. Simultaneously, she oversees end-to-end manufacturing operations across all product lines, ensuring excellence in quality, sustainability, and scalability.

Kiran brings three decades of cross-industry experience, including a 22-year career in the automotive sector, where she built deep expertise in operational efficiency, leadership, and systems transformation. She applies this same rigor and people-focused leadership approach at Brar’s, promoting accountability, continuous improvement, and high-performance culture across the organization.

In addition to her corporate leadership, Kiran is the founder of M2M Business Solutions, and the creator of The Happy Organization (THO) and The JOY Movement—initiatives that reflect her commitment to emotional intelligence, business success, organizational well-being, and leadership development.

Kiran holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Toronto and an Executive MBA from the Ivey School of Business at Western University. She is also a Forbes Coaches Council member and published Forbes author, widely respected for her insights on business transformation and values-driven leadership.

At the 2025 Food Summit, she will speak on innovation in dairy, the future of vegetarian, culturally rooted foods, and how heritage brands can grow through technology without losing their soul.

Neha Shah is a transformational servant leader and the current Senior Director of Manufacturing for Land O’Lakes Inc.’s Dairy Foods Division. With over 20 years of experience in the food manufacturing industry, Neha has a history of driving visionary business growth through successful turnaround and growth initiatives. Prior to her role at Land O’Lakes Inc., she held diverse manufacturing leadership positions at Nestle USA and General Mills, Inc., showcasing a proven track record of leading large-scale operational transitions, restructuring efforts and strategic initiatives based largely on fostering cohesive management teams.

Neha holds an MBA from California State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Temple University. She is a Certified TPM instructor and holds a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, highlighting her commitment to excellence in operational management. Neha’s professional journey is marked by her ability to navigate complex operational challenges and deliver tangible results, making her a respected leader in the industry.

Niraj Jha is a distinguished leader in supply chain management and logistics, renowned for his transformative approach to AI-driven operational excellence at Niagara Bottling, LLC. With extensive cross-industry expertise spanning marine engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain management, Niraj has established himself as a visionary executive capable of delivering exceptional results in complex, high-volume environments.

Currently serving as Senior Director of Logistics for the Southwest region, Niraj oversees a comprehensive network of manufacturing facilities and third-party logistics providers, managing large-scale operations across multiple markets. His strategic implementation of AI and intelligent automation has revolutionized operational efficiency, significantly reducing labor requirements during peak seasons while dramatically improving on-time delivery performance through innovative real-time tracking portals.

Throughout his tenure at Niagara Bottling, Niraj has consistently driven large-scale organizational transformation and operational turnarounds, achieving remarkable results including substantial additional sales through operational improvements and significant freight cost savings.

As a champion of innovation and continuous improvement, Niraj continues to pioneer frameworks for AI integration that enhance supply chain resilience, efficiency, and profitability, shaping the future of modern logistics and manufacturing operations.

As Director of a newly established team within Operations Management, Lee Meche Jr. is responsible for developing and implementing maintenance strategies that support long-term sustainability across more than 100 domestic locations.

Since joining Darling, Lee has enhanced maintenance operations at his initial sites in Atlanta, GA, and Jackson, MS, expanded his influence throughout the Southeast region, and now oversee efforts nationwide. He provides strategic leadership to plant-level management in areas such as preventive maintenance scheduling, parts

inventory organization, predictive maintenance implementation, personnel development, training, and the creation of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Prior to Darling, Lee built his career in the Food & Agriculture industry, holding engineering and management roles at leading companies including Tyson Foods, Nestlé Purina, Barry-Wehmiller Design Group, CSM Bakeries, and WinCup. His experience spans managing teams, budgets, inventories, and facilities of various sizes. He has also led capital projects ranging from under $50,000 to over $15 million. Additionally, Lee has a strong foundation in lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.

Lulu Wright has 10 years of experience across manufacturing, software & consulting. With extensive experience in services, she specializes in understanding needs and requirements and turning them into a path forward towards bridging the gap between current and desired state.

Lulu is passionate about establishing strong relationships and helping enterprises solve challenges, improve outcomes and realize value throughout their manufacturing digitization journey.

Nick Haase is a co-founder of MaintainX, the leading mobile-first maintenance and asset management platform. He has spent thousands of hours on the factory floor, helping manufacturing and facilities leaders transform their operations with frontline-friendly software and AI. With deep expertise in emerging technologies, Nick has guided multiple startups and Fortune 500 companies in developing strategies for smart technologies, IoT, VR/AR, blockchain, Ai, autonomous vehicles, and robotics. He is passionate about modernizing work for the 80% of the global workforce underserved by the software industry, and is an active investor in 30+ startups.

Ronald W. Whisenant Jr. brings more than four decades of expertise in maintenance leadership and industrial refrigeration to his role as Director of Maintenance and Refrigeration at Pacific Seafood. In this position, he provides strategic direction for multi-site operations, driving reliability, safety, and compliance across mission-critical refrigeration and utility systems. His leadership supports Pacific Seafood’s commitment to operational excellence, sustainability, and food safety.

Ron’s career includes key leadership roles in food and beverage manufacturing with Pacific Seafood, The Wine Group, Producers Dairy, Cargill, King’s Hawaiian, Naked Juice, and others. His technical expertise spans ammonia and Freon refrigeration, preventative and predictive maintenance, CMMS program development, process safety management, and regulatory compliance under IIAR, OSHA, EPA, and DHS standards. He has overseen multimillion-dollar capital projects, developed master preventive maintenance programs, and implemented reliability strategies that have consistently improved plant uptime, reduced costs, and extended equipment life.

An active leader in the refrigeration community, Ron is a Certified Industrial Refrigeration Operator (CIRO) through RETA and has served as a RETA National Board Member and Chapter President in multiple regions. He is the recipient of the RETA National President’s Award and the Elliott R. Hollowell Man of the Year Award, honoring his technical expertise and service to the industry. Known for his passion for training, mentorship, and compliance excellence, Ron continues to champion programs that build strong technical teams while advancing safety, quality, and long-term performance in industrial refrigeration and maintenance operations.

Andrew Jaspers represents the next generation of leadership at Pacific Seafood, where he supports strategic projects and operational improvements across the business. Bringing energy, curiosity, and a results-driven mindset, he collaborates with teams to strengthen processes and identify opportunities for growth. Andrew’s passion for continuous learning and innovation positions him as a rising voice in the industry dedicated to advancing organizational success and progress.

David Miracle is a Principal with Kalypso, Rockwell Automation’s Digital Services arm. He leads commercial activities for the Consumer Packaged Goods and Food & Beverage industries. David has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies to help them discover, create, make, and sell better products. He serves as a trusted adviser to senior leadership teams with a focus on helping his clients connect business needs with organizational capabilities and technologies to drive long term business outcomes.

His presentation, “Unlocking Industrial Autonomy” will draw from these experiences to provide attendees with actionable insights and strategies to progress their journey to autonomy.

Andrew brings over 35 years of manufacturing simulation and optimization experience, having founded Simulation Dynamics in 1990 and served Fortune 500 companies across consumer products, food, beverage, paper, and pharmaceutical industries. He coined “Discrete Rate Simulation” methodology and has published extensively in peer-reviewed conferences including the Winter Simulation Conference. Andrew’s work focuses on transforming complex analytical methodologies into accessible manufacturing intelligence platforms, and helping large companies navigate digital transformation.

Chris Burger is a seasoned economic development leader with deep expertise in food & beverage and advanced manufacturing. As part of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), he drives industry partnerships and strategic initiatives that enhance Virginia’s competitiveness in manufacturing, helping companies scale, export, and innovate. With a proven track record building cross-sector relationships, Chris brings together public, private, and international stakeholders to create jobs, strengthen supply chains, and attract investment. He excels at identifying and unlocking growth opportunities for businesses, leveraging Virginia’s strengths in infrastructure, workforce talent, and policy environment to enable sustainable economic development across the Commonwealth.

Eric Hilton is the Director of Enterprise Solutions at DecisionPoint Technologies, where he helps enterprise organizations modernize their operations by aligning emerging technologies with real-world business needs, transforming disconnected systems into outcome-driven solutions. He works closely with sales and service teams to deliver end-to-end programs that unify hardware, software, and services across modern manufacturing and supply chain.

Ray Reddrick is Senior Vice President of Manufacturing and Distillation for Diageo North America. Diageo has an outstanding collection of more than 200 brands making the organization a global leader in the beverage alcohol industry. Jonnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit, Smirnoff, Cîroc, Ketel One, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray, and Guinness represent a sample of the consumer products reach Diageo has across more than 180 countries.

Mr. Reddrick has developed a diverse background across several industries in the manufacturing and CPG supply space. Prior to joining Diageo in January of 2023, Mr. Reddrick consulted supporting Diageo’s strategic growth strategy for their domestic and international business. Mr. Reddrick has held supply chain leadership roles with Heartland Coca-Cola as the Vice President of Supply Chain where he played a critical leadership role in the total enterprise start-up of a new $700 million dollar Coca-Cola beverage manufacturing and distribution franchise business. Additionally, Ray has held critical supply chain leadership roles as director of manufacturing for PepsiCo, Land O’ Lakes, Data replication leadership with Sony where he executed the manufacturing acceptance testing for Sony’s Play Station format and the manufacturing liaison for Harmon Motive a tier one supplier of high-end transducers branded as JBL, infinity and Harmon Kardon. The Harmon Kardon premium products were specially engineered for Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Land Rover, Toyota, GM, and Fords high end product offerings installed at site automotive assembly locations across the US and Canada. Mr. Reddrick has over 30 years of manufacturing and supply chain experience transforming supply networks to deliver world-class businesses and operations results throughout his career.

Mr. Reddrick has extended his leadership talents outside of the manufacturing space providing leadership guidance, governance and strategic thought leadership while serving on the following boards:

South Fulton Georgia Chamber of Commerce (2008 – 2013)

• Board of Directors Member
• Executive Board Member

American Red Cross – Georgia (20011 – 2013)

• Diversity Recruitment Board Member

Fulton Industrial Community Improvement District (2010 – 2013)

• Executive Board Member – Commissioner Appointment
• Appointed by Commissioner William Bill Edwards – Vice Chairman Board of Commissioners – Atlanta, Ga

Coca-Cola National Product Supply Bord Member (2019 – 2021)

Southeastern Container Company Board Member (2020 – 2021)

Illinois Manufacturer’s Association Board Member (2023 – Current)

Mr. Reddrick earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology – Manufacturing Systems from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina.

North America is the largest business unit and market for Diageo contributing over 50% of the company’s operating profit. Diageo North America’s supply organization represents the leading producer of alcoholic beverages distilled, blended, matured, barreled, brewed, bottled, and warehoused in the market. North America operates over 12 domestic facilities across the United States, Canada and U.S.V.I.

Craig Weiss is Senior Vice President, Supply Chain for Conagra Brands’ Grocery & Snacks and International businesses, which includes leadership of the end-to-end Supply Chain organization.

With over 20 years at Conagra, Craig has served is several senior level leadership roles including Senior Vice President of Logistics & Planning, with responsibility for Demand Planning, Supply & Replenishment Planning, Customer Supply Chain, and Transportation & Warehousing. Craig has also held management roles for plant and distribution centers. Additionally, Craig served as Chief Transformation Officer, leading the build-out of the Data Science & Analytics function for the Supply Chain organization. He also formed Conagra’s Program Management Office (PMO) and led the function for over a decade.

Prior to his time at Conagra, Craig held roles at Olson Logistics, Ryder, and Ernst & Young.

Craig holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with majors in Supply Chain and Marketing from Central Michigan University. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and is heavily involved in multiple local youth sports organizations.

Josh Chou is an accomplished executive known for his strategic leadership and innovative approach to supply chain management. As the Chief Supply Chain Officer at McCormick, a global leader in flavor, he plays a pivotal role in driving operational excellence and ensuring seamless end-to-end supply chain processes. With over two decades of experience in the consumer goods industry, Josh has a proven track record of optimizing supply chain operations, driving efficiency, and delivering sustainable growth. He brings a wealth of expertise in supply chain strategy, logistics, procurement, and operations management to his role at McCormick. Prior to joining McCormick, Josh held various senior leadership positions at leading multinational corporations, where he led transformative initiatives and drove significant improvements in supply chain performance. His strategic vision, coupled with his ability to execute complex initiatives, has earned him recognition as a top industry leader. Josh is passionate about leveraging technology and data analytics to drive continuous improvement and enhance agility within the supply chain. He is committed to fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, empowering teams to embrace change and drive impactful results. Josh holds a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management from a prestigious institution and has completed executive education programs in leadership and strategy. He is also actively involved in industry associations and initiatives aimed at advancing supply chain best practices and sustainability efforts. As Chief Supply Chain Officer at McCormick, Josh is dedicated to delivering exceptional value to customers, driving operational excellence, and positioning the company for long-term success in a rapidly evolving marketplace. His strategic leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence continue to propel McCormick as a global leader in flavor innovation and supply chain efficiency.

Elito Siqueira is the Chief Supply Chain & Distribution Co. Officer, North America for Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Elito has been with the Anheuser-Busch InBev for more than 20 years across many different global zones and has supported High-End and Global Brands expansion through International Logistics.

Sarvi Bajwa is the Senior Vice President of Manufacturing for Danone, North America. Danone is a multi national food products corporation based in Paris, with well known brands in our markets such as Danon, Oikos, Activia, Danimals, Silk, and International Delight.

Prior to Danone, Sarvi was with Coca Cola North America as a Vice President of Supply Chain, responsible for operations in US and Canada for Juice, Dairy, Hydration, and Food Service. During his time with Coca Cola, Sarvi was also a champion of gender diversity initiatives in supply chain, becoming the founder and sponsor of “WE RISE” (Women Elevated Results in Success for Everyone).

Before Coca Cola, Sarvi held various manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics assignments with consumer products companies such as Procter and Gamble, Avon, and Alberto Culver, in Texas, Maryland, and Delaware. Through out his career, he built a reputation of turning around underperforming operations into high performing organizations by building strong teams, developing future leaders, creating a culture of winning, and chalking out strategies that provided competitive advantage to the organization and the enterprise.

Sarvi has Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from University of Houston, and an MBA in Marketing from Loyola University in Maryland. He has also completed a Supply Chain management and leadership certification from the Georgia Tech.

Sarvi and his wife Sonya reside in Columbia, Maryland. They have two children. Raj, who is a graduate of University of Maryland, and University of Texas, also lives in Maryland and is in the investment field for a large commercial and retail banking services company. Their daughter, Sameena is a graduate of Boston University, and is a software engineer for global event management company.

Daniela leads our operations team, including all U.S. manufacturing and quality programs. She has nearly 30 years of experience in the food industry with expertise in supply chain management, engineering, manufacturing, R&D, and business operations. The majority of Daniela’s career has been spent in supply chain leadership roles with Campbell’s including Vice President Manufacturing and Vice President Americas Supply Chain Business Development roles. She most recently served as Vice President Operations with Shearer’s Foods and Vice President Manufacturing for Weston Foods, where she directed multiple manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Canada. She also managed delivery of safety, quality, cost, volume, and service results for all U.S. and Canadian customers. Daniela is a graduate of University of Toronto.

Andy Fox is the Senior Director of the Supply Chain Analytics Product Organization at Mars. In this role, he leads the development and implementation of data-driven solutions to enhance the efficiency and resilience of Mars’ global supply chain. With extensive experience in supply chain management and analytics, Andy focuses on optimizing product flow, improving demand forecasting, and leveraging advanced technologies to drive sustainable and innovative supply chain practices. His leadership supports Mars’ commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement across its diverse product lines.

Tanya Peterson is an accomplished executive with a proven track record in driving operational excellence and fostering strategic partnerships in the consumer goods industry. As the Vice President of External Manufacturing at Mondelez International, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the company’s external manufacturing operations in North America. With over two decades of experience in supply chain management, Tanya has honed her expertise in optimizing manufacturing processes, ensuring product quality, and maximizing efficiency across diverse production networks. Her commitment to innovation and continuous improvement has led to significant cost savings and enhanced productivity within Mondelez’s external manufacturing ecosystem. Tanya is recognized for her strong leadership skills and ability to build collaborative relationships with external partners, suppliers, and internal stakeholders. Under her guidance, Mondelez has strengthened its global manufacturing capabilities, enabling the company to meet evolving consumer demands while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety. Prior to joining Mondelez, Tanya held various leadership positions in supply chain management at Danone & Georgia Pacific, where she spearheaded initiatives to streamline operations and drive business growth. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering & a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Canadian universities, along with an MBA from Portland State University.  She continues to stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices in manufacturing and supply chain management. As Vice President of External Manufacturing at Mondelez, Tanya Peterson continues to leverage her expertise and vision to drive sustainable growth and innovation, further solidifying Mondelez’s position as a global leader in the consumer goods sector.

Adriana Serna is the Manufacturing Vice-President for Pepsico Mexico Foods, the largest international market for Pepsico. She is a supply chain professional with nearly 30 years of experience acquired in multinational consumer goods companies in 5 different countries, with expertise in manufacturing, engineering, innovation, continuous improvement, supply network optimization and quality assurance. Prior to this role, Adriana has held various roles leading country and regional supply chain teams for Kellogg Company (7 years) and Procter & Gamble (21 years).

Driven, passionate and strategic leader who builds strong foundations in operational excellence to deliver stability while shaping flexibility and agility. Coach/mentor and talent developer. Lead for equity, diversity, inclusion, and female talent development.

Mike is currently in the role of Vice President of Supply Chain, Snacks Operating Unit. In this role, Mike is responsible for leading strategies & developing plans in conjunction with Operating Unit & SC Pillar partners to deliver volume, sales, and profit targets. Having started his career as the Flavors & Seasonings Buyer in 2002, Mike has held an assortment of Sourcing roles that extend across ingredients, packaging, dairy, and numerous stops in commodities risk management. During his career, Mike has also spent time in North America Manufacturing (New Albany, Indiana), within the External Supply Chain, and worked internationally in Switzerland for nearly three years at the inception of the Global Sourcing Center.

Mike holds an undergraduate degree in business from the University of St. Thomas and an MBA from the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota. He and his wife Kelly live in Edina, MN with their two children: Taylor (7) and Hudson (4). In his free time, Mike enjoys outdoor sports, gaming, grilling for family & friends, and lots of time with his littles at the neighborhood park!

Douglas Guilherme is the Supply Chain Vice-President for US & Canada for The Hershey Company. Douglas leads Supply Chain driving best practices and building winning organizations to accelerate Leading Snacking Powerhouse vision. Douglas leads a diverse team in the business of supply. Every individual in his team strives to provide a demonstrable and sustainable competitive advantage.

Douglas serves as Member of Board of Directors for Goodwill – Easter Seals Minnesota and devote passion and dedication to develop underrepresented individuals.

Prior to this role, Douglas has led large Supply Chain corporations for 29 years in companies such as Procter & Gamble for 14 years and Ecolab for 4 years where he served as Global Senior Vice-President for Supply Chain.

Douglas earned his bachelor’s degree on pharmacy and biochemistry, followed by 2 post graduations titles on Operations and Administration and followed by Master’s on Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

Later Douglas studied Machine Learning, and Exponential Technologies from Singularity University and Technology Acceleration Program from Wharton.

He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife Renata and children, Luisa and Vinicius.

Lead global manufacturing, supply chain and procurement, driving world-class safety, delivering cost savings through efficiency management and accelerating digital transformation. Develop, implement and maintain supply chain strategies to ensure continued identification and assimilation of innovating thinking and best practices.

Successful entrepreneurial start-up, P&L responsibility, Americas, Middle East, Russia, Caspian, Asia, China, Africa for past 15+ years. COO, CSCO.

Moved often –California, Boston, Phoenix, Houston, Dubai, Houston, Chicago.

Eric holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA a master’s degree in finance from Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA and an MBA from Harvard Business School in Boston, MA.

Andrew is driven by a passion to unlock the value of simulation and modeling in helping to solve real-world problems. Since founding Simulation Dynamics, Inc. in the early 90’s, he has been an educator, a consultant, a simulation tool developer, and a smart applications technology leader. Andrew coined the term “Discrete Rate Simulation”, and developed one of the earliest libraries for quickly building models of multi-stage plants that produce powder or bulk solids; for example a breakfast cereal plant. ChiAha is the culmination of a lifelong dream for Andrew, who has always wanted to reinvent and more widely distribute the benefits of the DRS worldview.

Sudhir Arni​ is Senior Vice President of Business Outcomes at Sight Machine. Previously, Sudhir was an engagement manager at McKinsey & Co., where he designed and led manufacturing transformation programs for Pharmaceutical and Chemical manufacturers. He received joint MBA and MS degrees from the Kellogg School of Management at the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University.

With over a decade of experience in manufacturing, Quentin is an experienced Director of Manufacturing for Dare Foods Ltd with ownership for all manufacturing performance and Health and Safety. Responsible for overseeing nine manufacturing facilities across North America, Quentin excels in driving operational excellence, optimizing production processes, and building high-performing teams to achieve strategic goals. Expertise in lean manufacturing, supply chain management, and quality assurance enables Quentin to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure product excellence. Passionate about innovation and sustainability, Quentin is dedicated to delivering continuous improvements and maintaining a competitive edge in the market.

Josh Little oversees the Ag Transportation Department at G3 Enterprises, Inc., where he leads a team focused on delivering California crops from the field to processors. His team covers sales, operations and acquisitions for the business transporting agricultural commodities across the state. Over the past several years, Josh has increased his responsibilities, impacting growth across multiple business lines at G3.

Born and raised in a Sonoma County wine family, his first job in the wine industry came with an easy commute — in his family’s vineyard. Josh would later attend California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo where he earned a bachelor of science degree in Agricultural Business. He would follow that degree with an MBA from the University of San Francisco with an emphasis on International Business.

Prior to joining G3, Josh gained experience in a variety of positions in the wine industry including sales, production, warehousing, real estate and grower relations with Gallo, a leading supplier of wine, spirits and RTDs and working a wine grape harvest in New Zealand. When not focused on business, Josh enjoys an active lifestyle and raising three children with his wife Sarah.

Josh can be contacted at [email protected].

Matt Smith, PhD, is SVP Digital Transformation for Process Manufacturing with Sight Machine. In this role he advises global manufacturers in chemicals, oil & gas, mining, pharmaceutical, and food & beverage on their digital transformation journey. Prior to joining Sight Machine, Dr. Smith held leadership roles in development and technical operations for various chemical process technology companies including K2 Pure Solutions and Simbol Materials. He has also managed production facilities for Calera, GE, and Hays. Dr. Smith was also a researcher at the Argonne and Berkeley National Laboratories. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Essex and a PhD in Chemistry from the University of East Anglia.

Will Lexow has 20 years of experience in delivering technical and business driven capital projects in the Food and Beverage Manufacturing and Construction industry. He specializes in capital project and program planning and execution, having worked for multinational manufacturers that produce consumer products in North America. Will has consistently delivered impactful results, driving growth and operational excellence. Known for his strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, he approaches every project with a collaborative mindset. Outside of work, Will enjoys traditional Cajun outdoor cooking, golf, and exploring the outdoors, continuously seeking new ways to learn and grow.

Mike Driscoll leads the Customer Fulfillment function within the Customer Success and Logistics (CS&L) department at Rich Products – a premier, global family-owned food company, and leading supplier and solution provider to multiple frozen food product categories in the US (Rich Products Corporation | Global Food Supplier Serving Foodservice, In-Store Bakery, Retail & Industrial Markets (richs.com)). With 15 years experience in Global Supply Chains (Manufacturing, Procurement, Logistics) at Rich and companies like Eaton and ITT, he leads a team that is responsible for the end-to-end customer fulfillment experience – from Fulfillment Planning, through Warehousing Distribution, to Transport to end customer across the US, Canada, and exported internationally. Based in Buffalo, NY, he spends his free time exploring all that Western New York has to offer – from cheering on the Buffalo Bills, to chicken wings, to enjoying the beautiful summer months on Lake Erie.

I am a seasoned EHS Manager with over 25 years of experience in the Food Manufacturing industry.  I have spent time with Heinz Frozen Foods, Amalgamated Sugar, Lamb Weston, and currently working with Idahoan Foods.  I am dedicated to creating a safe, sustainable, and compliant work environment. I specialize in risk management, regulatory compliance, and developing proactive safety programs tailored to industry standards. My career has been built on a foundation of leadership, guiding teams through complex challenges while maintaining a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and workplace safety. I am passionate about continuous improvement and have successfully led numerous safety initiatives, significantly reducing workplace incidents and fostering a culture of safety-first. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and family. My greatest achievement is being a father and grandpa to our 8 grandchildren.

Adam Chartier is head of the EHS department for Kerry Ingredients & Flavours in Blue Earth, Minnesota.  His leadership is focused on proactive and preventative programs to increase employee and leadership engagement and to reduce/eliminate workplace incidents.

He is a transformational leader who is passionate about mentoring EHS professionals and acting as a culture change agent.  Adam has over 16 years of experience in EHS, holding the roles of Director of Safety, Regional Safety & Health Manager, and EHS Manager.  His business experience has crossed several major manufacturing companies such as Georgia Pacific, Conagra Brands, Mohawk Industries, and others.

Adam holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Environmental Health and Safety from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.

Evan Bressler grew up as the third of eight children, in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. He studied occupational safety at Millersville University and went on to work in the food industry upon graduation. His passion is for igniting collaborative safety cultures and he is honored to have served as a safety professional at Ingredion Inc. and Pactiv Evergreen Inc..

With over 25 years of Safety and Emergency Management experience, Joe Castaneda has led cross-functional teams on Health and Safety Projects across the Middle East and the United States. Known for thriving in fast-paced environments and driving operational efficiencies, Joe’s leadership has reduced recordable injuries by 85% over five years. He holds a Bachelor’s in Health Care Administration, an Executive MBA from Colorado Technical University, is a Licensed Paramedic, Commissioned Fire Fighter, Arson Investigator through the state of Texas, and has several certifications in OSHA and Emergency Management.

Currently, as the EHS & Security Manager at Winland Foods San Antonio, Joe oversees all Health, Safety, and Security programs, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Previously, he was the Health & Safety Lead at Viatris, managing health and safety programs across multiple manufacturing sites.

Throughout his career, Joe has held key positions such as Captain of the Fire Training Division at District 4 ESD in Leon Springs, TX, Safety & Health Program Manager at CPS Energy in San Antonio, and Business Development & Claims Disability Manager for KBR in the Middle East & Central Asia. These roles have equipped him with a deep understanding of emergency management, occupational health operations, program management, and quality process improvement, consistently demonstrating his ability to lead and mentor teams and manage comprehensive safety and health programs.

Koyinsola is a multi-award-winning manufacturing leader. She has been recognized as an expert on improving efficiency, product quality, lead times, sustainability, and most importantly, employee satisfaction through Lean Six Sigma. Prior to Griffith Foods, Koyinsola worked at Global CPG giants, P&G and Unilever where she was greatly recognized for excellence in her work, from receiving several departmental awards to the prestigious P&G CEO award and Women MAKE Honoree to mention a few. In her current role at Griffith Foods, she has played a critical role in helping to uncover and address longstanding bottlenecks in the manufacturing process using Lean, Six Sigma, leadership, problem solving and analytical skills. In addition, Koyinsola has partnered with her team and supply chain leadership to drive a cultural transformation among employees.

Koyinsola is committed to developing the next generation of female talent, as evidenced by her leadership in many areas. She likes to refer to herself as a “Confidence Catalyst” shaping mindsets of individuals towards purposeful leadership. She created a blog with free mentoring initiatives for women in supply chain and initiated a scholarship program for high performing females in the Electronic and Electrical Engineering department at her alma mater. Her goal is to mentor the top five females completing the course, while providing career and resume support as a female engineer.

At Griffith foods, she leads the Women Innovating, Solving and Excellence (WISE) ERG, which has partnered with local schools to explore mentorship opportunities around food science and collaborated with the leadership team and WISE community to make significant policy change around parental benefits as well as other career, culture and community initiatives. Koyinsola is also a part of the North American Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Equity council and has partnered with nonprofit organizations including Black Women Honors, Elevate Community Church where she leads the Newcomer/New immigrant program etc. Passionate about her work and her ability to drive change, Koyinsola has made an impact across organizations she has worked with and throughout her community.

Amber has over thirty years of experience in manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain management experience for a broad array of clients. Her experience includes inventory optimization, network optimization, simulation modeling, distribution process improvements, new process flow design, cost reduction, performance improvement, workforce planning and allocation, and project management. She has provided these services in a wide range of industries including: Consumer Products, Electronics, Government & Public Sector, Industrial Products, Transportation, and Logistics.

Born and raised on a dairy farm in a small village south of Quebec City, Canada, eldest of a 4 children family, I was always pushed to be curious and exposed myself to new opportunities by my mother.

Wife, mom of 2 young adults, and grand-mother to a 5 year-old boy, I am the Kerry Ste-Claire plant manager. This plant works 24 hours, 7 days a week, unionized, and hires over 300 employees.

I have been with Kerry for over 16 years, relocating a few times throughout my career, never saying no to any career opportunities and learning challenges!

From an accounts receivable clerk, to now a plant manager, I have held many different positions in the manufacturing industry, mainly trough 2 major employers in the Quebec area.

My mantra? Be curious! The only real limitation is yourself.

Maria Araujo is Vice President Global Innovation Engineering at McCain Foods. In this role, Maria leads a global team focused in manufacturing innovation, including technology scouting, development, and deployment. Areas of focus include Sensing and IoT, advanced robotics, industry 4.0, smart factory technologies, to name a few. Prior to McCain, Maria was an Engineering Fellow and Director of the Advanced Technology Center of Excellence at Johnson & Johnson, where she led a team focused on supply chain innovation. Prior to J&J, Maria had various roles in R&D, product development and technology development at Honeywell Aerospace and Southwest Research Institute. Maria holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in electrical engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She is the recipient of an R&D 100 Award, is one of Manufacturing USA’s Modern Makers and was named one of San Antonio’s Top 40 Under 40 by the San Antonio Business Journal.

Neha Shah is a transformational servant leader and the current Senior Director of Manufacturing for Land O’Lakes Inc.’s Dairy Foods Division. With over 20 years of experience in the food manufacturing industry, Neha has a history of driving visionary business growth through successful turnaround and growth initiatives. Prior to her role at Land O’Lakes Inc., she held diverse manufacturing leadership positions at Nestle USA and General Mills, Inc., showcasing a proven track record of leading large-scale operational transitions, restructuring efforts and strategic initiatives based largely on fostering cohesive management teams.

Neha holds an MBA from California State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Temple University. She is a Certified TPM instructor and holds a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, highlighting her commitment to excellence in operational management. Neha’s professional journey is marked by her ability to navigate complex operational challenges and deliver tangible results, making her a respected leader in the industry.

Veteran product marketing and development professional with over twenty years in the technology and consulting industries, with a focus on the food and beverage, restaurant, and retail verticals. Worked with some of the largest and most dynamic brands in the industry. Passionate about the power of technology in helping businesses achieve the resiliency in today’s marketplace.

Rapid changes in technology, competition, and the workforce require a keen focus on becoming ever more agile, innovative, and efficient. That’s where Randal comes in. For one Fortune 50 company, he defined a new product segment and streamlined the R&D process by 30% – enabling the company to bring a new offering to market four months faster than it typically could. For another Fortune 20 company, he developed the market strategy for the smart buildings market supporting the transition to XaaS commercial model.

His expertise in internet of things (IoT) strategies – particularly product engineering, smart building, Industry 4.0, sustainability, and smart products – has led to many trusted advisor relationships. He has also optimized clients’ corporate IT, finance, and supply chain functions.

Randal joined West Monroe in 2022 from Cognizant. As vice president and global strategy lead for the IoT and Engineering practice, he helped the practice become the highest performing group and grow the firm’s reputation as an industry leader. Previously, Randal founded and built strategy and digital transformation practices at multiple companies.  These advisory practices have focused on helping manufacturing clients transform their product strategy, operations, supply chain, and sales via digital transformation.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in information systems and human resources management from the Honors Program at Boston College and an MBA in strategy and finance from Yale University

Currently at West Monroe, an experienced consulting partner and executive advisor with a proven track record of combining strategic thinking with transformative technology to unlock new value and lead companies through change. Previously, as Partner at Kalypso, led the Digital Transformation practice, driving operational improvements and financial gains in production industries. Specialized in Industry 4.0, AI, Lean Manufacturing, and World Class Operating approaches. Formerly, as Partner at Bridge Strategy Group, advised C-Level clients on strategic technology and industrial operations, providing thought leadership on AI, Digital Twin, Robotics, and more.