Regulatory Summit Latin America

Ginger reports for Chemical Watch on UN chemicals policy and regulatory developments in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. She previously worked for Politico in Brussels, reporting on European chemicals regulation and environmental policy. She holds degrees in international journalism and philosophy from the University of Missouri.

Maddie Boyer, a principal in Beveridge & Diamond, PC’s Austin, TX office, brings 25 years of experience providing strategic and solutions-oriented counseling and representation on a broad range of US and Latin American environmental, health and safety standards.

Mr. Wenk is internationally recognized global product stewardship and regulatory affairs professional with over 27 years of experience successfully directing and developing domestic and international product stewardship and regulatory compliance programs in multiple Fortune 100 companies. He pairs extensive regulatory expertise with a well-developed understanding of corporate operations, providing a highly unique blend of business operations knowledge and technical acumen. Well-versed in corporate mergers and acquisitions, specifically regulatory due diligence for acquisition of global chemical manufacturing firms. Among these were a $200 million pulp and paper chemicals business as well as a $110 million polymer chemical manufacturing firm.

Cristina studied Chemistry at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Portugal. She worked for several years in regulatory affairs for industrial and consumer goods business, where she gained experience in the EU chemicals legislation (REACH, CLP, biocides, FCMs, electronics, …) and in chemical legislation for other regions such as Latin American countries. She recently joined knoell as a Project Manager for the Chemicals and Product Safety Regulatory Affairs.

Agustín Harte has a degree in biological sciences and works as technical advisor under the Chemicals National Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Argentina.

Luiz Gustavo Bezerra assists countless clients across the energy and chemical industries. His vast experience in Environmental, Climate Change and ESG matters, particularly in Brazil, but also in other jurisdictions, with emphasis on Latin America and Europe (he is also qualified in Portugal) gives him a unique edge in litigation, consulting and transactional matters. Luiz has a well-known track record in court and administrative environmental proceedings, and counsels major Brazilian and multinational groups in a vast range of environmental and regulatory related matters, including crisis management, corporate reporting, corporate environmental & social responsibility, human rights, climate change, sustainability, waste laws, water laws, circular economy arrangements, biodiversity, environmental offsets, carbon markets and chemicals regulations. Core member of Mayer Brown’s Global Chemical Industry Group.

Born and raised in Mexico, Melissa Owen is an international lawyer licensed in the U.S. who speaks Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, and English. Her knowledge of the cultural, language, and legal dimensions in both Latin America and the U.S. have made her uniquely suited to guide her multinational clients through the complex and rapidly changing world of environmental, sustainability, and health and safety matters in the region. She began her legal career in the environmental and international departments of a leading national U.S. law firm and then moved into private practice. For over 25 years, she has advised Fortune 100 companies as well as international trade associations on emerging chemical regulations, Circular Economy, Extended Producer Responsibility, product stewardship and a myriad of other regulatory topics. She is a recognized expert on ESG/EHS regulations in Latin America and a frequent speaker at international events about emerging chemical regulations.

Ms. Caro Tovar is a licensed attorney in Mexico and the United States. She is a Latin America Specialist in environmental, health, and safety issues.

Dan Bastien is a subject matter expert in Canada with specific experience in the Chemical Management Plan. Dan serves as Senior Director of the Chemicals Group at Intertek Health Sciences, Inc. In this role, he delivers business development expertise, expert advice and direction to clients who seek support in understanding and complying with a wide variety of global chemical control legislation and regulatory initiatives. He works closely with the Chemicals team of regulatory and scientific experts who help clients address challenging regulatory climates and demanding marketplaces, in a timely and cost-effective manner. 

Dr. Passarella is an expert strategist in navigating international chemical regulations.  At Intertek, she uses her chemical and legal experience and skill at interpreting complex chemical regulations to design and implement effective policies to protect client’s products.  During her career, Dr. Passarella has advocated for sustainable chemical management to enable the manufacture and sale of products in US and global markets. After completing her Ph.D. in chemistry, she formulated products, managed R&D groups, and managed global Product Stewardship and Sustainability. It was during this time that she pursued a law degree at night school, and is licensed to practice law in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  Her combination of industry experience, and an in-depth knowledge of chemistry and the law enables her to translate regulatory trends and requirements into business and compliance action plans.

Brazilian, based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and working for Givaudan, Flavors & Fragrances, as Product Stewardship Manager - Americas, with more than 10 years of experience with EHS Regulatory Compliance and Chemical Regulations.

Francisco Tong is co-head of Rodrigo, Elías & Medrano Environment practice area. He specializes in mining, environmental, water resources law.

Raissa Havens joined UL as a Regulatory Specialist in 2019, where she focuses on new and existing chemical regulations for Latin America countries and Portugal. Raissa is responsible for maintaining UL’s Chemical Regulatory Database updated and provides advisory services for companies that manufacture industrial chemicals and export products into these countries.

Sherika Whitelocke-Ballingsingh is the Poison Information Coordinator for the Caribbean Poison Information Network, located in the University of Technology, Jamaica. She is a Public Health Inspector by Training with over 15 years tackling public health issues.

Rachel Bond counsels domestic and foreign manufacturers on regulatory compliance of food and drug packaging materials and indirect food and feed additives with the laws and regulations administered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as its foreign counterparts. She advises global clients on a diverse array of packaging components, including polymers, additives, printing inks, and adhesives.