The Digital Advantage for Superior Products

Berenice Vettore
Global Chief Quality Officer
Estée Lauder

Berenice is a dynamic leader who has extensive experience overseeing Quality organizations at multinational consumer goods companies. She joined ELC from Danone, serving as Senior Vice President of Quality and Food Safety, and oversaw a team of over 4,500 people covering Quality for all Danone businesses. Previously, she held other senior quality roles at Danone, Unilever, and Reckitt Benckiser.

She has strong international experience having worked in EMEA, APAC, and Latin America, and overseeing quality teams worldwide. She also has a foundational understanding of the end-to-end Supply Chain function—having started her career in plant management. Berenice has relocated from Paris to New York for this role. She is originally from Brazil and has degrees in Food Engineering and an MBA from Universidade Estadual de Campinas.

Chris Rowe
Global Vice President of Research & Development Mars Snacking
Mars Inc.

Chris Rowe is a transformational, high energy global R&D C-Level executive in consumer-packaged goods with a proven track record of driving sustainable business growth and effectively navigating businesses through major complexity, crises, and headwinds. He built and led large R&D organizations in developed and emerging markets, having lived and worked in four countries (US, Russia, Germany, UK) across a thirty-year career. He has significant passion and experience shaping and executing consumer and customer centric portfolio and innovation strategies for some of the world’s biggest and most loved brands. He was the president of the International Chewing Gum Association and is also a member of various university advisory boards.

Peter Schrooyen
Senior Vice President R&D Beauty & Wellbeing
Unilever

Peter graduated as an agricultural engineer from the University of Ghent (Belgium) in 1994 and holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Technical University of Twente (The Netherlands). He joined Unilever in 2001 and had various R&D management and director roles in The Netherlands, Poland, Turkey and China, before coming to the USA in 2022, where he is the head of the R&D lab in Trumbull, CT, as well as the SVP R&D for Beauty & Wellbeing for North America, looking after Unilever’s beauty brands for Hair and Skin Care, like Tresemme, Dove, Vaseline, SheaMoisture and Nexxus. Peter also represents all of R&D on the Unilever North America Board.

Judi Mondello
Senior Vice President of R&D, Meals & Beverages
Campbell’s

Judi Mondello joined Campbell’s as Vice President of Research & Development (R&D) for the Meals & Beverages (M&B) division in February 2021. Judi leads the M&B R&D function, which includes functional leadership of the M&B Retail, Distinctive Brands, North America Foodservice and Canadian R&D teams. She oversees the development and commercialization of product innovation, renovation, packaging sustainability and profit improvement to drive growth for the M&B portfolio. In 2023, Judi was promoted to SVP, R&D, M&B.

Previously, she spent 16 years in various R&D roles at the J.M. Smucker Company, most recently as VP of R&D, Consumer Foods. Throughout her tenure at Smucker’s, Judi led cross-disciplinary technical teams to deliver innovation, renovation, profit improvement, business continuity, sustainability and open innovation for brands such as Smuckers, Uncrustables, Jif, Crisco, Folgers and Pillsbury.

Earlier in Judi’s career she led product development on brands such as Hostess Snack Cakes, Wonder Bread, Little Debbie, Sara Lee Desserts and Fresh Bread, launching hundreds of new items throughout her 25+ years in the CPG industry. Judi is an active member of NextUP, Innovation Leaders Network, Akron Canton Foodbank and The Peter Maurin Center. Judi received her B.S. degree in Dietetics from Southeast Missouri State University, her M.S. degree in Food Science from University of Missouri-Columbia and her M.B.A. from Walsh University in Canton, Ohio.

Michael A. Lull
Head of Technical Service, Personal Care, North America
BASF

Michael Lull is Head of Technical Service, North America at BASF. In his role, he leads a team responsible for driving new business development by delivering industry leading solutions to customers and building strong, lasting partnerships to help them thrive in today and tomorrow's challenging environments.

Michael has extensive industry experience including research & development leadership, front end innovation, technical sales, and brand development. His career journey is one of pushing boundaries and driving change marked by passion for uncovering solutions and a dedication to developing those around him. Prior to joining BASF, Michael has held various leadership and development roles at Avon Products and Combe Inc.

Greg Adamson
Senior Vice President – Global Regulatory Affairs, Product Safety & Sustainability
Givaudan

Greg trained as a research toxicologist and has been a member of the Society of Toxicology for over 25 years. He completed his Ph.D. in Bio-chemical Toxicology in 1990 at the University of Western Australia.

After 10 years in varying toxicology roles across Baby Care and Personal Care businesses at Procter and Gamble, he accepted the position of Director of Product Safety and Regulatory Affairs at Avon Products where he managed the toxicology and regulatory groups for Global R&D.

In 2005, Greg joined Givaudan, which has the largest global Fragrance business. He is currently the Senior Vice President-Global Regulatory Affairs, Product Safety, and sits on Givaudan’s Management Committee for Fragrance and Beauty.

He holds key member leadership roles in the International Fragrance As-sociation, the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials.

Greg is currently a member of the Board of the Household & Commercial Products Association and Personal Care Products Council in the USA. He is also on the Board of the newly formed Value of Beauty Coalition in Europe.

Daniel Dowd
Global Vice President, Supplier Quality Assurance
Estée Lauder Companies

Daniel Dowd is a seasoned and forward-thinking leader in Quality Management with deep expertise in Quality and Food Safety, Continuous Improvement, Strategy Development, Transformation, and Supplier Relationship Management.

In his current role as Global Vice President of Supplier Quality Assurance at The Estée Lauder Companies, Daniel leads the Global Supplier Quality function, ensuring that all supplier materials, components, and finished goods meet the company's stringent quality standards and protocols.

With over two decades of experience, Daniel has successfully led global initiatives involving cross-functional teams, resulting in significant reductions in defects, substantial cost savings, and continuous process improvements in manufacturing. His leadership has been instrumental in driving strategic execution and operational efficiency across various departments.

Daniel’s career highlights include his tenure as Global Director of Supplier Quality Assurance at Mars Wrigley Confectionery, where he led transformative projects that significantly reduced non-quality costs and critical defects. As Director of Regional Supplier Quality at Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, he developed and implemented strategies that enhanced compliance and improved quality performance across a network of over 450 suppliers.

Earlier in his career, Daniel gained valuable experience as a Quality Assurance Manager at Nestlé Waters and as a Microbiologist at Northland Laboratories. These foundational roles equipped him with a solid background in Quality Management Systems, Food Safety, Regulatory Compliance, and advanced problem-solving skills.

Daniel holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a BS in Biological Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt from the University of Michigan and a recipient of the prestigious Mars Commercial Capability Award.

Peter Crayton
Vice President Quality & Food Safety North America
Kraft Heinz

Peter Crayton is the Vice President of North America Quality at Kraft Heinz. Peter joined Kraft Heinz in February 2024, bringing over two decades of expertise in quality, operations, and innovation.

Previously, Peter served as Vice President of North America Quality & Technical Services at BlueTriton Brands, where he spearheaded a comprehensive Quality and Food Safety strategy, driving transformative innovation and operational success. His leadership and vision have been instrumental in elevating organizations to new heights, ensuring the highest standards of consumer and customer satisfaction.

Peter began his career as a microbiologist in the QA lab at Procter & Gamble in 2004. Since then, he has held increasingly senior roles, including leadership positions at Henkel North America Beauty and Laundry, Estee Lauder, and Nestle. His contributions have been pivotal in the growth and success of some of North America's most iconic brands. 

Gilberto Quintero
Global Chief Quality Officer
Kimberly-Clark

Gilberto Quintero is the Global Chief Quality Officer at Kimberly-Clark, where he leads the company’s efforts to ensure top-tier product quality, regulatory compliance, and consumer safety. With a deep understanding of the critical role that quality and compliance play in customer satisfaction, Gilberto is dedicated to upholding the highest standards across Kimberly-Clark's product portfolio. He is known for his passion for tackling complex challenges and finding innovative solutions that protect brand equity while meeting regulatory demands.

In his role, Gilberto is focused on driving continuous improvement within the organization, developing a culture that embraces quality, and anticipating changes in the regulatory environment. His leadership ensures that Kimberly-Clark's products not only meet but often exceed regulatory requirements. He also plays a crucial role in addressing complex manufacturing and regulatory issues and supporting business teams in achieving key goals.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico by parents who were both teachers, Gilberto was instilled with a deep love for learning, which he carries into his leadership approach. He encourages his team to share this passion for knowledge and action. Outside of work, Gilberto is an avid traveler, drawn to exploring different cultures and understanding the diverse ways in which people live, work, and play around the world.

Lisa Pankiewicz
Vice President, Global Stewardship
The Clorox Company

Lisa Pankiewicz is currently the Vice President of Global Stewardship for The Clorox Company. She joined Clorox in September of 2015 and is responsible for technical and scientific activities encompassing global regulatory affairs, product safety, analytical services, microbiology, and product lifecycle data management. Lisa has extensive industry related experience across multiple consumer product sectors. She currently represents Clorox as a member of the Board of Directors for The Household and Commercial Products Association (HCPA), The Fragrance Creators Association (FCA), and The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN). Lisa is also an active member of Leader 50, a private community for C-level executives comprised of globally respected leading organizations. Prior to joining Clorox, Lisa was the Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for Shiseido Americas Corporation after spending 18 years at Chanel Inc., where she served in a variety of roles, in Research & Development. She holds a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Georgian Court University, and a M.S. in Marketing & Business Management from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

Mahir Bhagia
Vice President, Chief Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Officer
PepsiCo

Mahir is a Master in Chemical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and currently is a Vice President at PepsiCo leading Global FSQA (Food Safety and Quality Assurance) Organization based in New York.

Mahir has four years of work experience in Unilever, India and then 28+ years of experience with PepsiCo. He has worked in supply chain operations, EHS (Environment, Health and Safety) , R&D, Digitization and most of all in food safety and quality assurance across three continents – India, Dubai and USA. He is currently responsible for formulating and implementing strategic plans for all Food Safety and Quality initiatives across the entire product portfolio (snacks, beverages, dairy, bread and meat snacks in over 1300 company-owned and third-party manufacturing sites around the globe.

With deep-rooted knowledge across product categories and differing regulatory and cultural environments, he plays a pivotal role in establishing rigorous standards and systems. He has shared countless lessons learned during his career. His innovative approaches ensure that PepsiCo consistently delivers products that not only meet stringent safety guidelines but also resonate with consumer expectations and satisfaction. Under Mahir's guidance, the company's commitment to food safety, quality assurance, compliance, and consumer trust remains unparalleled.

Teginder Singh
Vice President Regulatory Affairs & Digital External Engagement
Kenvue

Teginder Singh is currently the Vice President of Regulatory Affairs & Digital External Engagement at Kenvue. With a diverse and expansive background in product development, commercialization, lifecycle management, and compliance, Teginder plays a pivotal role in shaping the company's global regulatory strategies. His leadership extends to the creation and implementation of quality systems, processes, and strategic compliance programs.

Throughout his career, including roles at Procter & Gamble and Boehringer Ingelheim, Teginder has led product development teams with a strong focus on direct interactions with regulatory authorities worldwide, particularly in relation to new product launches and large-scale remediation programs. His expertise in regulatory affairs and quality assurance is complemented by a deep commitment to ensuring that Kenvue's products meet the highest standards of safety and compliance.

Dave VandenEinde
Vice President R&D Leader, Food Solutions Americas
Cargill

Dave VandenEinde was named Vice President, Group R&D Leader for Food Solutions Americas in 2022; he also serves as Global R&D Leader for Cargill’s edible oils portfolio. Dave’s passion for nourishing the world through innovative food solutions that bring health and nutrition to life, combined with his strengths in innovation leadership, people leadership and industry collaboration, distinguish him as a food industry leader.

Throughout his 29 years in Cargill, Dave has served in a variety of leadership roles through which he has consistently championed collaboration, innovation and team development. As the leader of Food Solutions R&D in the Americas, he is a firm believer in the power of co-creation and working closely alongside customers and partners to achieve strong results, while adapting to evolving consumer desires, regulatory challenges and innovation advancements.

The depth and breadth of Dave’s experience has equipped him with strong technical expertise, including food systems knowledge, ingredient knowledge and transformation, crop innovation, and a deep understanding of the role that food plays relative to consumer nutrition and health. Dave holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and is a registered patent agent.

Victoria Tu
Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Product Integrity and Claims
Coty

Victoria Tu has more than 20 years of experience in the personal care industry. She is currently the Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Product Integrity and Claims at Coty, leading the global team responsible for product safety, regulatory compliance, and claim substantiation for Coty’s entire portfolio. Along her career, Victoria held leadership roles with Arxada, L’Oreal, Revlon and Avon, and worked both in the US and China.

Victoria has a Ph.D. degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Arizona, and an MBA degree from New York University. She is a Diplomat of American Board of Toxicology (DABT).

Derek Henderson
Vice President Product Quality Management
Kenvue

Derek Henderson leads Kenvue’s Product Quality Management organization responsible for creating great customer and consumer experiences by enabling superior product quality throughout the product lifecycle and sits on the Kenvue Quality Health & Safety and Global R&D Leadership Teams. Kenvue is a recent spin off of Johnson & Johnson’s Consumer Product division in May 2023.

Derek has been with Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue for almost 24 years spending 17 years within the medical device segment and the last 6 in the consumer segment before being spun off in 2023. Derek has held positions in a variety of functions including technology transfer, plant management, procurement, program management, supplier quality, manufacturing quality, R&D quality and process excellence (six sigma/lean). Derek has had the opportunity to lead new product introductions, plant start ups, multiple organizational implementations and acquisitions & divestitures living in both the US and Switzerland. Prior to joining Johnson & Johnson, he worked for The Xerox Corporation in process engineering and lean/six sigma roles.

Derek earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Rochester.

Barry Ritz
Vice President and Head of U.S. Regulatory,
Scientific & Medical Affairs
Nestlé Health Science

Barry W. Ritz, PhD, is the Vice President and Head of U.S. Regulatory, Scientific & Medical Affairs at Nestlé Health Science. Dr. Ritz has been involved in the dietary supplement and functional foods industry for 25 years and is highly engaged in industry leadership, including as the immediate past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Council for Responsible Nutrition. At Nestlé Health Science, Dr. Ritz is responsible for U.S. regulatory and claims compliance and substantiation, clinical evidence, and advocacy activities for a broad portfolio of products, including dietary supplements and medical nutrition. His academic background is in nutritional immunology, studying the influence of age and nutritional status on the innate immune response to viruses. Dr. Ritz has presented his research at national and international meetings and has numerous publications in scientific journals and texts, and he appears regularly as a nutrition industry expert at conferences, seminars, and other events. Dr. Ritz is also highly engaged in community leadership, serving on several Boards of charitable and service organizations supporting such things as nutrition security and education.

Deann Akins-Lewenthal
Sr. Director Global Food Safety
Mondelēz

Deann Akins-Lewenthal, Ph.D. is the Senior Director of Global Food Safety and Sanitation for MondelezInternational based in East Hanover, New Jersey. In her role, Deann drives the direction and program execution for Global Food Safety, Sanitation, Microbiology and Toxicology Programs which are essential to Mondelēz’s Risk Management and Risk Mitigation practices across R&D as well as the Global Mondelez Supply Chain (MSC) manufacturing facilities. Deann has been with Mondelēz for 2.5 years. Prior to joining Mondelēz, Deann spent 13 years with Conagra Brands leading Food Safety and Regulatory Affairs. Deann attended the University of Georgia and received her B.S.A in Biological Sciences and M.S. and Ph.D. in Food Science.

Sam Venugopal
Partner
PwC

Sam Venugopal is a Partner in the Healthcare Practice at PwC, based in San Jose, California. With over 20 years of experience, Sam specializes in delivering value-driven solutions across IT, Quality Systems, regulatory compliance, and supply chain activities within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries. His expertise has made him a trusted advisor to both industry leaders and regulatory agencies, including the FDA. His focus in recent years has expanded to helping industries such as technology, food, and consumer goods develop more robust Quality operations, with a specific emphasis on the use of AI to transform Quality into a driver of operational efficiency. Sam’s work has spanned the globe, including significant projects in India and China, where he has helped companies design and implement Quality Systems that meet FDA standards. Before joining PwC, Sam worked at a start-up software company that developed tools to enhance life science companies' development efforts, which was later acquired by Oracle. Since then, Sam has played a key role in numerous projects, ranging from IT system implementations to Quality Systems planning and remediation. He also leads an initiative with the FDA aimed at improving its Quality Systems and works closely with biopharmaceutical manufacturers to refine ICH guidelines. Sam holds a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of California, San Diego, and an MBA with a concentration in Finance and International Business from Santa Clara University. He is also certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) by APICS.