Speakers – Race to the Top

At Race to the Top, we call our speakers runners—not just because they lead, but because they train, challenge, and inspire the rest to keep going. Ready to run alongside them?

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United States

Chavanne Hanson

Google Food Team

Food Choice Architecture & Nutrition Lead

Did you know? Before joining Google, Chavanne shaped global nutrition strategies at Nestlé SA in Switzerland and even collaborated with legendary TV chef Graham Kerr, the “Galloping Gourmet.

Chavanne Hanson, Food Choice Architecture & Nutrition Lead at Google Food Team, leverages nutrition sciences programming, food choice architecture, and the development of well-being approaches to create meaningful user experiences for Google.

Her career spans from corporate leadership at Nestlé—where she served as Assistant Vice President and Senior Public Affairs Manager for Nutrition, Health & Wellness—to creative work in media and food communications as Associate Producer of The Gathering Place television series.

Chavanne is recognized for merging science, communication, and innovation to make nutrition accessible, engaging, and impactful at scale. She holds a B.S. in Dietetics from Baylor University and an M.P.H. in Human Nutrition from the University of Michigan.

United States

Steven González

Former NASA Excecutive

Keynote Speaker

Did you know? Back in his years at NASA, Dr. Steven González helped evaluate and guide breakthrough technologies in robotics, communications, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence, aligning them with mission needs and future space exploration.

Dr. Steven González, Former NASA Executive, brings over 30 years of experience in innovation, strategic planning, and cross-sector collaboration. At the NASA Johnson Space Center, he played a key role in fostering partnerships with industry and academia, ensuring that advanced aerospace capabilities were connected to real mission challenges.

Beyond NASA, Steven has served as a venture partner and advisor, working closely with entrepreneurs to navigate commercialization pathways and apply space-based innovations to emerging industries. His career reflects a unique blend of visionary leadership and practical guidance, bridging the gap between research, technology, and real-world impact.

Ecuador

Sandro coglitore

Omarsa

General Manager

Did you know? Under Sandro’s leadership, Omarsa became the first shrimp producer in the world to achieve ASC certification.

Sandro Coglitore, the General Manager at Omarsa, is a dedicated professional with more than 30 years of experience in the shrimp industry in Ecuador. He has comprehensive knowledge of managing a shrimp producer and exporter company vertically integrated by three hatcheries, five shrimp farms and two processing plants.

Recently, his shrimp experience has expanded borders with Omarsa’s investment in Panama, consisting of a laboratory, three shrimp farms and a processing plant. Among his skills is the ability of deep market analysis and forecast for promoting sales.

Coglitore is an Economist, and in addition to English, he speaks fluent Spanish, Italian and German.

Peru

Fabricio Vargas

VITAPRO

Chief Executive Officer

Did you know? With more than 30 years of industry experience, Fabricio Vargas has led teams at companies such as Alicorp, Ilender, and El Rocío S.A., becoming a benchmark in innovation, efficiency, and sustainable growth.

Fabricio Vargas, CEO of Vitapro, is recognized for combining strategic business vision with approachable leadership, inspiring his teams to achieve high-impact results.

A Zootechnician from the National Agrarian University La Molina, he also holds a Master’s in Nutrition from the same university, studied Marketing at ESAN, and completed an Advanced Management Program at INCAE Business School.

At Vitapro, he leads with a human and strategic approach, reaffirming the company’s purpose of transforming aquaculture to nourish tomorrow, creating value for both clients and collaborators.

Chile

Loreto Seguel

Consejo del Salmón

Excecutive President

Did you know? Loreto Seguel has been recognized multiple times among the “100 Women Leaders” in Chile, most recently in 2021.

Loreto Seguel, Executive President – Salmon Council of Chile, is a Civil Engineer with a Master’s in Engineering Sciences and more than 20 years of professional experience across the public and private sectors.

Her career includes leadership roles such as Minister of the National Women’s Service, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development, Director of public and private companies, and most recently, President of the Public Enterprises System (2021–2022).

Beyond government and corporate leadership, Loreto has also been a founding partner in several ventures linked to production, combining innovation with strategic management.

Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards, including Young Entrepreneur (2005), Endeavor Entrepreneur, 100 Young Leaders (2006), and 100 Women Leaders (2005, 2012, 2013, and 2021).

Ecuador

José A. camposano

National Chamber of Aquaculture

Excecutive President

Did you know? José Antonio has been the longest-serving Executive President of Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA), leading the industry for more than 12 years.

José Antonio Camposano, Executive President at the CNA, has guided Ecuador’s aquaculture cluster through more than a decade of growth, forging partnerships that enhance competitiveness and sustainability.

He also serves as President of the Boards of CORDEX and CORPEI, key institutions for export diversification and investment, and as a member of the Global Aquaculture Industry Advisory Council of USSEC, bringing Ecuador’s voice to the global stage.

With expertise in inclusive value chains, CSR, and agribusiness economics, built through his work with SNV and the World Bank Institute, he has helped position Ecuador as a global aquaculture leader.

Passionate about advancing the sector, Camposano is committed to creating economic and social value for Ecuadorian communities.

Belgium

Patrick Waty

INVE Aquaculture

Chief Executive Officer

Did you know? Before leading INVE Aquaculture, Patrick Waty acquired and grew his own fish processing company, Seagull NV, in Belgium back in 2005.

Patrick Waty, CEO at INVE Aquaculture and Benchmark, is an experienced aquaculture leader with a career spanning nearly two decades across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

He previously served as CEO of SyAqua Group, advancing market development in Asia, and held global leadership roles at BernAqua and Epicore Bionetworks, where he drove mergers and acquisitions that expanded Neovia/ADM’s global aquaculture business.

Since 2021, Patrick has led INVE Aquaculture and Benchmark, focusing on empowering producers with solutions that enhance productivity, responsibility, and long-term viability.

Colombia

Andrea Pradilla

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

Director for Latin America

Did you know? Andrea Pradilla has spoken about sustainability on some of the world’s most influential stages, including the World Economic Forum and COP20.

Andrea Pradilla, Latin America Director – Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), has led the organization since 2014, promoting corporate sustainability through the GRI Standards, now used by 97% of publicly listed companies in the region.

A lawyer from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia) with advanced studies in International Business and Diplomacy at Georgetown University, Andrea advises institutions such as the Thomson Reuters Foundation, CDP Latin America, and WBA, and serves on the board of América Solidaria.

She teaches corporate sustainability at leading Colombian universities and has guided conversations on sustainability in global arenas. Earlier in her career, she directed the OECD National Contact Point in Colombia and worked as a CSR consultant, shaping social investment strategies across four continents.

Denmark

Henrik Aarestrup

BioMar Group

Vice President LATAM, Shrimp & Hatchery

Did you know? Before leading BioMar’s shrimp and hatchery business, Henrik built his career in global companies like LEGO and Velux, bringing world-class marketing and management expertise into aquaculture.

Henrik Aarestrup, Vice President LATAM – Shrimp & Hatchery at BioMar Group, is a strong advocate for sustainable and transparent aquaculture. He currently leads BioMar’s global product strategy for shrimp and marine hatchery, while also overseeing the company’s LATAM operations.

With 30 years of international management and marketing experience, Henrik has been instrumental in expanding BioMar’s footprint across Asia and Latin America, driving innovation and sustainability in aquafeeds.

He is recognized for combining strategic leadership, market growth, and sustainability advocacy, helping shape the future of responsible aquaculture. Henrik holds a Master’s in Economics and International Business Administration and a B.Sc. in Economics and Business Administration.

Peru

María Alejandra Rivera

VITAPRO

Executive Manager of ESG and Corporate Affairs

Did you know? María Alejandra Rivera has more than 20 years of experience leading sustainability, communications, and marketing across sectors such as consumer goods, agribusiness, and strategic consulting.

María Alejandra Rivera, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Manager at Vitapro S.A. –part of Alicorp Group–, is an Industrial Engineer from the National University of San Agustín in Arequipa and holds two master’s degrees: in Innovation and Sustainability (EADA) and in Marketing and Commercial Management (UPC Graduate School).

Throughout her career, she has held key positions at Nestlé, Alicorp, and Infinito Consultores, establishing herself as a leader with a strategic vision, long-term perspective, and strong commitment to corporate sustainability in Latin America.

Germany

Benjamin Weis

Cargill Aqua Nutrition

Senior Manager Sustainability

Did you know? Before joining Cargill, Ben Weis managed a Mowi’s salmon farm in Scotland with a biomass of 4,000 tons—an experience that shaped his hands-on approach to sustainability.

Benjamin Weis, Senior Manager Sustainability at Cargill Aqua Nutrition, leads sustainability for Cargill’s aquaculture business, addressing human rights, deforestation, and supply chain standards while driving ambitious environmental and social goals.

His career spans multiple roles across aquaculture: from Fish Health Specialist at Scottish Sea Farms, to Farm Site Manager at Mowi, and later Aquaculture Manager at Tesco and Group Sustainability Manager at Regal Springs, where he strengthened sustainability across global operations.

At Cargill, Ben is focused on implementing, maintaining, and elevating sustainability standards that influence the future of responsible aquaculture worldwide.

He holds a B.Sc. in Agricultural Sciences (Germany) and an M.Sc. in Sustainable Aquaculture (Scotland).

Chile

Jorge Díaz

Skretting

Sustainability Director

Did you know? Jorge Díaz led the creation of the aquaculture industry’s first Marine Ingredients Sourcing Policy, setting a global benchmark for sustainable practices.

Jorge Díaz, Sustainability Director at Skretting, drives international sustainability strategies for one of the world’s leading aquafeed companies.

He represents Skretting in key global platforms such as SeaBOS, the Global Salmon Initiative, and the Governance Committee of MarinTrust, where he helps shape collaborative solutions for the sector.

His strategic and collaborative approach is grounded in a diverse academic background: Communications (PUC Chile), International Marketing (King’s College London), and Corporate Sustainability (NYU).

Australia

katherine bryar

BioMar Group

Global Marketing Director

Did you know? Katherine Bryar was the Executive Producer and technical expert behind the Emmy-nominated documentary Hope in the Water, bringing science and food stories to a global audience.

Katherine Bryar, Global Marketing Director at BioMar Group, grew up on a dairy farm in Australia and has built her career advancing farming improvement initiatives and strategic communications across eggs, dairy, and seafood.

She has led award-winning science-based campaigns, including the Egg Nutrition campaign that dispelled myths about eggs, and has championed responsible farming certifications and technologies that empower farmers worldwide.

At BioMar, Katherine drives efforts to communicate and promote sustainability initiatives that reduce the environmental footprint of aquafeeds and strengthen responsible aquaculture practices globally.

Ecuador

Juan J. Cárdenas

Universidad San Francisco de Quito

Sustainable Consumer Engagement Specialist

Did you know? Juan José Cárdenas is conducting his PhD research in Norway and Australia, exploring how consumer behavior can be transformed to reduce food waste.

Juan José Cárdenas, Researcher at Adger University, theRoyal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), and lecturer at Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ).

He is an academic and researcher with international experience in sustainability, innovation, and circular economy. Cardenas has taught at universities in Australia, Norway, Panama, and Ecuador, bridging theory with real-world applications to inspire the next generation of leaders.

With more than 10 years in higher education and nearly a decade in industry, his career combines academic rigor and practical expertise.

Currently, he is pursuing his PhD focused on consumer behavior and food waste reduction, advancing knowledge at the intersection of sustainability and society.

Ecuador

Pamela Nath

Sustainable Shrimp Partnership

Director

Did you know? Under Pamela Nath’s leadership, SSP shrimp became the first to apply Blockchain technology for full traceability.

Pamela Nath, Director at the Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP), drives strategic initiatives to promote sustainable production practices across the global shrimp industry. Since SSP’s creation in 2018, she has championed the idea that it is possible to produce premium-quality shrimp under the highest social and environmental standards, with neutral water impact and complete transparency.

With a strong background in branding and communications, Nath has positioned SSP as a pre-competitive platform that collaborates with leading organizations such as World Wildlife Fund (WWF), IDH, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).

Her work has helped implement best practices in shrimp farming, enhancing Ecuador’s leadership and reputation in international markets.

France

Lenaïg Richard

Corbion

Global Business Development Manager Aquaculture

Did you know? Lenaïg Richard has spent 20 years pioneering shrimp nutrition solutions, shaping innovation in the global aquafeed sector.

Dr. Lenaïg Richard, Global Business Development Manager Aquaculture at Corbion, is passionate about sustainable aquaculture and innovation. Throughout her career, she has held global roles in R&D, marketing, and strategic business development, advancing new nutritional solutions for shrimp and supporting the evolution of responsible aquaculture.

Lenaïg holds an MSc in Aquaculture and Fisheries from Wageningen University (Netherlands) and a PhD in nutrition from the University of Bordeaux (France). She is also the author & illustrator of a children’s book focusing on sustainability and preservation of the ocean.

Belgium

Peter Coutteau

Adisseo

Global Director Aquaculture

Did you know? Dr. Peter Coutteau has published over 40 scientific papers on aquaculture nutrition, establishing himself early on as a global reference in the field.

Dr. Peter Coutteau, Global Director Aquaculture for Adisseo, holds a PhD in Biological Sciences from the Laboratory of Aquaculture & Artemia Reference Center at the University of Gent (1992). Until 1997, he continued academic research on lipid nutrition in aquaculture species, before transitioning to the private sector.

Since joining INVE Technologies NV in 1997, Peter has held diverse leadership roles: Head of Research and Product Development (1997–1999), Global Product Manager for Feed Concentrates and Additives (1999–2002), and Product Manager Farm Nutrition (2002–2008).

From 2009 to 2018, he served as Global Business Unit Director Aquaculture at Nutriad, and since 2018 he has been Global Director Aquaculture at Adisseo, where he oversees product development, marketing, technical services, and a global sales team dedicated to feed additives and farm care products for aquaculture.

Ecuador

Eduardo Arosemena

Kampi

Global Managing Director

Did you know? With a career spanning 25+ years across 15 countries, Eduardo Arosemena has led global businesses from Ecuador to the U.S., building expertise in management, strategy, and international growth.

Eduardo Arosemena, Global Managing Director at Kampi, began his career in shrimp in 2003 and has since become a regional reference in the shrimp production chain.

He has held leadership roles in multinational companies such as Brenntag, where he directed operations in Ecuador and the U.S., and Cargill, where he positioned the aquaculture nutrition business in Ecuador among the top three in the market in just 24 months, achieving a 16% share.

Eduardo has actively contributed to the National Chamber of Aquaculture for more than eight years and has promoted innovation and sector expansion from Mexico to Peru. Since 2024 he has led Kampi’s global strategy and international growth as Managing Director.

Colombia

Paula Rincón

Think & Talk

Co-founder

Did you know? Paula Rincón created the ConCiencia de Comunicación® theory, a framework that transforms communication into a driver of real impact.

Paula Rincón, Co-founder at Think&Talk, believes that communicating well turns ideas into impact. With this conviction, she has developed innovative methodologies and tools to train leaders, high-performance teams, and speakers.

Her work has guided presentations and talks on renowned stages such as TEDx, Inspire Talks, and World Speech Day, shaping voices that inspire and influence.

A Communicator and Journalist with a Master’s in Business Communications, Paula focuses on the intersection of human behavior and effective communication, combining a scientific and humanistic approach.

More speakers to be announced soon. Stay tuned!

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