Global Business Summit: Europe, North America and Asia 2021

Kate Lowe joined the regulatory information service Chemical Watch News & Insight as managing editor in 2020, becoming head of editorial in 2022. A politics graduate, she has worked as an editor, launch editor and business director across numerous business and professional sectors. These include commercial property, information technology, estates management, social care and, most recently, commercial horticulture where she campaigned successfully to secure public funds for applied agricultural research.  

Monika is an environmental physiologist. Before joining UNEP, she worked in Canada and South Africa in academia, policy implementation, environmental decision support systems, environmental assessments, multi-stakeholder and private sector partnerships, SME technology transfer and capacity development. Monika currently leads UNEP's work in chemicals, waste, pollution and health, e-mobility, and waste management.

Kenkichi FUJII BS, MSc, PhD, RRM is a Vice President - Safety & Toxicology at the ASEAN Cosmetic Association and a senior risk assessor for chemicals, cosmetics, consumer products and foods. He took PhD from Hokkaido University, and research in RIKEN, The Institute for Genetic Medicine and then worked as an assistant professor at the Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University. Since 2009, he joined to Kao R&D - Safety Science Research which is responsible for developing as well as tracking global developments in safety assessment. Currently he leads the regulatory science of global risk governance in chemicals and consumer products. He also involved in global professional activities; the International Life Science Institute Japan (ILSI) Risk Assessment Task Force, Vice President of the Society for Risk Analysis Japan, editorial board of the Encyclopedia of Risk Research, etc.

Baskut Tuncak is the executive director of the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), an independent, state-level agency created in 1989 to prevent pollution and protect workers from hazardous substances.

Sylvie, Cefic's Deputy Director General, has more than twenty years experience in EU regulatory affairs focused on chemicals policy, working in both trade associations (A.I.S.E. and Cefic) and in chemical companies (ExxonMobil Chemical, Dow).

Cristina de Avila is Head of the Sustainable Chemicals Unit of the European Commission’s Environment Directorate-General, where she has been in charge of drafting the Commission’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, currently focusing on its implementation.

Raj has worked extensively within the Electronics, Aerospace and IT sectors for over 25 years. He has led working groups within Aerospace Trade Associations which formed the initial IPC 2-18K committee, that developed the IPC-1754 Material Declaration Standard. At Assent, Raj has been reviewing and assessing the impacts of different chemical regulations for a wide range of industrial sectors and working closely with clients to assess their chemical reporting needs.

Sjoerd has an extensive background in creating and driving sustainability and marketing strategies. He’s been responsible for creating a industry recognized sustainability strategy for DSM’s Resins and Functional Materials group (Acquired by Covestro AG). In his current job Sjoerd enables the scale-up of safe & sustainable product offerings working across the value chain in various markets.

Raefer is an architect and the founder of GIGA, an independent third party combining the development of building standards with cloud technology to increase the accessibility and impact of healthy buildings globally. Working at the intersection of healthy buildings and cloud technology, Raefer has pioneered standards for data quality which are now used internationally and serve as foundations for both RESET and ORIGIN, GIGA’s two primary areas of focus.

Cheri Peele joined Toxic-Free Future in 2022 to play a leadership role in both the Retailer Report Card and public policy advocacy. She has worked for over 20 years to create and implement leadership strategies for the transition to safer chemicals. Prior to TFF, she served as program manager for the Chemical Footprint Project at Clean Production Action. She also led the development of the PBDE Chemical Action Plan for Washington state and comprehensive plans to address mercury in both Washington and Massachusetts. Cheri received her MCP with an emphasis on environmental policy from MIT and her BS in Urban Studies from Cornell University. 

Jennifer is responsible for leading HP’s sustainable material strategy that incorporates environmental and social considerations and is aligned with company goals, market demands, and emerging regulations. She partners with internal and external stakeholders to define metrics and deliver results for recycled, renewable, and low carbon materials that also incorporate safer chemicals. Jennifer has over 25 years of technical and program management experience in sustainability, quality, reliability, and manufacturing engineering. She holds a BS in Physics and an MS in Environmental Studies.

Eugenie is a Senior Impact Analyst, and Earth Pillar lead at Aviva Investors. She is responsible for research and engagement on environmental issues. She is also responsible for the Aviva Stewardship Funds, which involves coordinating the research into the social, ethical, and environmental screens, engaging with companies on a wide range of ESG issues, and developing thought leadership positions.

Marty is the co-founder and a managing partner in Safer Made, a mission-driven venture capital fund investing companies and technologies that reduce human exposure to harmful chemicals. Safer Made invests in teams that bring safer products and technologies to market, tell a unique story, have the potential to change their sectors, and protect our health and natural world.

Mike Schade is the Seinor Director of Programs and Strategy at Toxic-Free Future. Since 2013, Mike led Toxic-Free Future’s Mind the Store program challenging retailers to shift the marketplace away from hazardous chemicals and develop comprehensive safer chemicals policies. Prior to joining TFF Mike was Markets Campaign Coordinator with the Center for Health Environment & Justice (CHEJ) where he led campaigns to phase out PVC plastic, phthalates, and bisphenol A in consumer products and packaging, and led the Buffalo office of a statewide environmental health organization. He has a BS in Environmental Studies from the University at Buffalo.

As the Sustainability Officer, Jane develops the strategic vision for sustainability at Humanscale, which has taken on the ambitious goal of full materials transparency for all products. Under her leadership, Humanscale has a developed an extensive program to work with our supply chain to identify the chemical make-up of all materials, screen each material for hazards, and publish the results in HPDs and Declare labels. To promote transparency outside the organization, Jane is on the Board of Directors of the HPD Collaborative, a mindful Materials Ambassador, and Vice Chair of BIFMA’s Sustainability Committee.

Geraint has more than 30 years of experience as a journalist covering environmental policy, with a particular focus on chemicals, business strategy and waste management. He started his career as a reporter for the international chemicals trade press before working at UK environmental policy journal The ENDS Report. He joined online global chemicals policy website Chemical Watch in 2008, becoming a member of the senior management team and head of journalism. At the end of last year he embarked on a freelance career.

Leigh is Chemical Watch News & Insight's Managing Editor and was previously in charge of our global business coverage. Prior to joining the company, Leigh wrote for the Press Association, ICIS and edie.net, covering a range of environmental and business related topics.

David leads Veeva’s Regulatory Strategy practice for the European Chemical Industry. In this role he partners with Europe’s leading chemical companies to help them reimagine how they deliver product compliance with efficiency, speed, and end-to-end transparency. Before joining Veeva, David worked at Novozymes Global Regulatory Affairs where he led the strategy to transition towards a digital operating model. He also worked as a management consultant at Deloitte where he specialized in organization transformation. David holds a MSc in International Business and Politics from Copenhagen Business School where he focused on transnational governance, nonmarket strategy, and regulatory lobbying in the European Union.

Jean-Philippe Montfort is a partner at Mayer Brown based in Brussels, and the leader of Mayer Brown’s REACH and EU product regulatory team. Jean-Philippe provides strategic advice, as well as advocacy and litigation support to companies and trade associations in the defense of their substances under various REACH and CLP processes. Jean-Philippe is widely recognised as a very innovative, yet pragmatic legal advisor and litigator. He has a very successful track record before the European Courts and the Board of Appeal of ECHA, with landmark wins, such as the recent “TiO2” case.

Jack started working at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) right from the start in September 2007. After having led the Risk Management Directorate for 8 years he is now leading the Directorate for Prioritisation and Integration. The Directorate is responsible for providing information and advice on chemistry and on use and exposure of chemicals to various legislative processes, for developing computational methods and tools for collecting and analysing data and it co-ordinates the identification and prioritisation of (groups of) substances requiring further regulatory actions.

Natasa is the EMEA Regulatory & Government Affairs Manager for Environment & Sustainability at 3M. She joined 3M in September 2012 to work in the Public policy & government affairs office in Brussels. Her main focus areas are the European chemicals, environmental, climate and energy, and healthcare policies.

Christoph is a senior economist at the European Chemicals Agency where he coordinates the work on socio-economic analysis. In current work, he is exploring various aspects of performance of the REACH Regulation. Moreover, he is involved in several restriction proposals. Before joining the Agency, Christoph held positions as lecturer and research fellow at the Toulouse School of Economics and the Harvard School of Public Health.

Rachel leads projects to develop criteria for GEC’s EPEAT ecolabel, the premiere global ecolabel for the IT sector. Her current focus is a new set of criteria promoting the reduction of chemicals of concern that will apply to all EPEAT product categories. Dedicated to creating a world where only sustainable technology is bought and sold, she researches new technology areas, analyzes the impacts of products, and develops new resources that support the procurement of sustainable electronic products and services.

Christina is the President & CEO at the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, where she is globally responsible for the growth, innovation, and impact initiatives across sectors such as built environment, fashion, cosmetics, cleaning products, electronics and packaging. Before joining the Institute Christina held management positions in international sustainability firms at the forefront of environmental and circularity services. Christina started her professional journey at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and holds a PhD in materials chemistry.

Todd currently serves as Director of Procter & Gamble’s North America Fabric Care Research & Development team. In this role, Todd is responsible for developing new programs and business operations across Tide and Gain laundry detergents, the leading brands in the industry. He plays a critical role in leading sustainability efforts, including the design and launch of Tide purclean, the first plant- based detergent with the cleaning power of Tide.

Since 2005 Timo has been working in the European R&D Center of Hyundai & Kia Motor Company as Environmental Affairs Manager & is member of working groups such as the IMDS Steering Committee, the European GADSL Group. Since September 2007 he has chaired the Automotive Industry Task Force on REACH & since 2013 the WG Materials & Substances of the EU vehicle manufacturers association. He is member of the UNEP Steering Group for the CiP Program.

André is the interface of Scholz Recycling between the various recycling operations and the political work within national and European associations. As Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing, he is directly involved in the business development and the R&D activities in mainly metal and plastic recycling.

Dr Michael Warhurst has been Executive Director of CHEM Trust since July 2014, leading the organisation and working with his team and other NGOs to improve EU chemical policies such as REACH and chemicals in food contact materials.

Emma has 35 years of experience working as a journalist and editor specialising in the health and environmental impacts of chemicals in products - 15 of those at Chemical Watch. She left in 2021 to explore avenues for raising general awareness about chemical issues, in the broader context of sustainability. Working with a great team of consumer journalists, she is in the process of launching the Ocki website, which blends information, with community activities, events and tools - all aiming to empower people who want to live sustainably.

Christine joined BASF as a polymer research scientist. Since 2015, she has taken on different roles in the company´s public affairs team both in Ludwigshafen and Brussels. Her focus has been on plastics related policies, e. g. for the packaging and construction sector. At present, she heads the Corporate Affairs team located in Ludwigshafen. She is passionate about contributing to the ongoing discussion on how to drive the circular economy transformation in Europe.

Hervé is a chemical engineer with an additional background in business administration. After 22 years in Solvay with various responsibilities in marketing, sales and purchasing, he joined PlasticsEurope in 2010 as Technical Director in the French office. From 2015, he also managed the Waste Management project of PlasticsEurope at EU level. Since May 2020, he has lead the work of the association for all topics relating to climate and production of plastics, including chemical recycling.

Lauren graduated with a BA in English Literature and Publishing and has worked in marketing for publishing companies and B2B service providers for the last three years. She joined the Chemical Watch marketing team in 2020. Her role includes campaign management and supporting day-to-day marketing activities.

Salmaan is the Head, Product Stewardship and Toxicology, Group Health, Safety, Security and Environment at PETRONAS. He is also a Professor Adjunct, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health.

Letchumi is Head of Product Risk Management at PETRONAS since 2017. She received her PhD degree in Environmental Engineering on “Application of GHS and LCA for management of chemicals in Malaysia” from University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.

Dr. Bhashkar Mukerji is a seasoned expert in product safety and regulatory affairs, with over three decades of global experience spanning cosmetics, chemicals, food contact materials, and OTCs. Currently serving as Director of Global Regulatory Affairs for Enterprise Markets at Kimberly-Clark, he leads strategy, advocacy, and product safety across 70+ countries. Previously, Dr. Mukerji held leadership roles at Givaudan, Johnson & Johnson, and Unilever, where he spearheaded regulatory excellence initiatives, industry advocacy, and safety frameworks across Asia-Pacific. He has played pivotal roles in shaping regional and international regulatory landscapes through his work with ASEAN Cosmetic Association, IFRA APAC, and Cosmetics Europe, among others.

Martyn is a seasoned professional with more than 40 years in the petrochemical industry. He joined the Alliance to End Plastic Waste one year ago, intrigued by the huge challenge of addressing plastic waste, the opportunity of the plastics circular economy, and bringing together in quite a unique way the full value chain from brand owners through chemical companies and convertors to waste management companies. Martyn resides in Singapore and will talk to us about Plastics and Circularity.

Circular Economy Asia (CEA) was founded by Ms Adrienna Zsakay in 2016. Her journey began when she became interested in infrastructure design for recyclable resource recovery collection systems. From there it was an easy transition to the Circular Economy and the founding of Circular Economy Asia (legally registered as Circular Asia Association). In early 2020 Ms Zsakay launched Circular Skills, the world’s first online education platform dedicated to skills training for the circular economy. Courses include Circular Economy Foundation Course, The Nine Steps Towards a Circular Business, and the Waste- as-a-Resource workshop. CEA’s projects include Waste-as-a-Resource and the Asian Plastics & Packaging Agreement. CEA also provides consultancy services.  Ms Zsakay has a BA(Asian Studies & Politics) from the University of Western Australia and has studied International and Asian food law from Michigan State University.

Nicole van der Elst Desai is the Founder at VDE Consultancy and has partnered clients like DyStar, STS, Yeh Group, and recently Forum for the Future. At Forum for the Future she is the Technical Partner on the Circular Leap Asia program. This program empowers apparel manufacturers across Asia to fast-track solutions towards a circular economy. Nicole is also a board advisory member at Living wear, a council member at the Textile and Fashion Federation (TaFF), a specialist mentor with The Bridge Fashion Incubator (TBFI) and a mentor at the Fashion For Good South Asia program. A graduate of the Amsterdam Fashion Institute, with more than 20 years of experience; Nicole is a valued expert in the field of textile innovation, technology and sustainability. She is passionate about creating better products & processes that leave behind a better planet for future generations.

Mr Venkatehsa Murthy, renowned as Venky, is the CEO of the VANS Group of Companies, headquartered in Singapore. With a passion and vision of India, he has set up a subsidiary in Bangalore - India’s 1st integrated e-Waste recycling company with a PAN India presence. Venky is widely recognized across the globe for his path-breaking and visionary contributions in e-Waste Management using modern and state-of-the-art technologies and approaches. He plays a pioneering role as a socialenvironmentalist and corporate leader by uplifting the life-threatened conditions of informal players into a sound formal system. Intense passion and forethought for our PLANET, Venky - a visionary leader dedicated over 25 years of his experience in the area of WEEE Management, Environment, Human values, and Strong ethical practices. He has ramified the transferring of knowledge, customized technologies, processes, training, and established businesses on international arena.

David has recently retired after 35 years in global legislative processes, and a wide range of experience of EU biocide committees, working groups and technical workshops. In addition to his recent role as Senior Regulatory Analyst in Chemical Watch he worked for just under 20 years at UK HSE (UK Competent Authority for Biocides) as well as 7 years in industry and 5 years as a consultant.