Meet our IEC Venice Speakers
Find out more about our inspirational speaker line-up for the IEC’s 60th anniversary Global Leadership Conference in Venice:
Dr Barbara Grabkowsky
Director of the Center for Sustainability Transformation in Areas of Intensive Agriculture at the University of Vechta
In her role, Dr Barbara Grabkowsky leads cutting-edge research and practical initiatives for sustainable agrifood systems.
Having obtained a degree in Environmental Science and a PhD in Zoonosis Prevention and Biosecurity, Barbara went on to contribute to numerous international research projects in the field of zoonosis prevention and sustainability in the food value chain at various universities. She then worked in industry, advising on strategies for sustainable supply chains, food safety and innovation management worldwide.
Ben Dellaert
Director of AVINED
Ben Dellaert is the Director of AVINED, which represents the complete production chain for the production of poultry meat and eggs in the Netherlands. He has been a member of the IEC since 1999 and served as Chairman between 2015 and 2017.
Ben chairs the IEC Avian Influenza Global Expert Group, a combination of top experts and scientists from across the globe that have been brought together to propose practical solutions to avian influenza in the short, medium and long term.
Dr Cristobal Garcia-Herrera
Senior Teaching Fellow and Co-Founder of Wicked Acceleration Labs at Imperial College Business School
Dr. Cristobal Garcia-Herrera is a prominent figure in innovation and entrepreneurship. With expertise in accelerating business processes, he advises global firms on innovation strategies.
Cristobal is a prolific writer, addressing topics such as organisational networks and corporate acceleration, and has authored a book on lean entrepreneurship education. His career spans founding startups in Smart City, EdTech, and Data Analytics, and establishing Jump Chile, a major business model accelerator. Previously, he consulted at PwC in New York and taught at prestigious universities worldwide, holding degrees from MIT and Imperial College London.
Dr Ilaria Capua
Senior Fellow of Global Health at Johns Hopkins University
Dr Ilaria Capua is an internationally renowned virologist and former Member of the Italian Parliament. With a distinguished career in zoonotic diseases, Dr Capua has shown global leadership in virology. She championed the open sharing of viral genetic information, leading to the creation of platforms that host millions of sequences, crucial for managing pandemics like COVID-19.
Dr Capua has received numerous international awards and authored over 230 peer-reviewed articles. Currently, she leads the One Health Center of Excellence at the University of Florida and is the Senior Fellow of Global Health at John Hopkins University.
Jose Manuel Segovia
CEO of Granjazul
Jose Manuel Segovia is the CEO of leading egg production company, Granjazul, a 100% Guatemalan company with over 50 years’ experience in the production and marketing of eggs. Under Jose Manuel’s leadership, Granjazul distinguishes itself by a drive to innovate the poultry market through differentiation and enhanced value of products and services.
Jose Manuel holds degrees in industrial engineering with an MBA and a master’s in innovation from the Catholic University of Chile. Currently, he is President of the Poultry Farmers’ Association within the Guatemalan Chamber of Industry.
Dr Léni Corrand
Poultry Veterinarian at ANIBIO Veterinary Group
Dr Léni Corrand is a poultry veterinarian and business partner at ANIBIO Veterinary Group in France. He is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, holds an MSc in Avian Virology from Toulouse University and is a Diplomate of the European College of Poultry Veterinary Sciences. Dr Corrand specialises in broilers, layers, breeders, and duck production, combining field practice with educational missions in France and abroad. His expertise and dedication to HPAI vaccination make him a valuable asset in advancing poultry health.
Octavio Gaspar
Managing Director of Ovobrand S.A.
Octavio Gaspar is the Managing Director of Ovobrand S.A., an Argentine company specialising in egg production and egg products. He leads Ovobrand in its fully integrated, high-standard operation, turning grain into high-quality eggs through advanced biotechnological processes. Established in 2008, Ovobrand excels in safety, quality, and efficiency, producing premium egg products for domestic and international markets.
Peter van Horne
IEC Economic Analyst
Peter van Horne is an Economic Analyst for the IEC and a senior researcher at Wageningen Economic Research in the Netherlands. He specialises in conducting economic research projects for government and industry across Europe, with extensive experience leading international projects related to the poultry sector. Peter earned his degree in farm economics from Wageningen University in 1984 and has since focused on the economics of animal welfare, environmental protection, and animal health in the poultry and egg industry.
Roger Pelissero
Chair of Egg Farmers of Canada
Roger Pelissero is a third-generation egg farmer and Chair of Egg Farmers of Canada. He is passionate about promoting egg consumption as well as farming sustainably, and an advocate for evidence-based research that supports progress and innovation.
Roger is an IEC Councillor and involved in several industry-led sustainability initiatives, one as a founding member of the IEC Sustainable Egg Production Expert Group. He is also a member of the Egg Industry Center Board of Advisors of Iowa State University.
Thomas Farrugia
Founder of Beta Bugs
Thomas Farrugia, a leader in the insect farming sector, established the UK’s first dedicated Black Soldier Fly egg production facility and a pioneering breeding program.
Tim Yoo
Marketing and Sales Director of Ganong Bio
As Marketing and Sales Director for Ganong Bio, Tim Yoo represents a major force in South Korea’s online egg market.
Ganong Bio is an ambitious third-generation egg production business that produces, packs and delivers eggs and egg products. Tim is dedicated to supplying high-quality, delicious eggs in a responsible manner, with captivating production and bio-security anecdotes that have previously impressed IEC audiences.
Tom Fletcher
Principal of Hertford College
Tom Fletcher CMG, the UK’s youngest senior ambassador, served as the UK representative in Lebanon and was a foreign policy advisor to three Prime Ministers. With a wealth of experience in leadership, negotiation, and the impact of social media, Tom offers unparalleled insights into global engagement and education.
Currently Principal of Hertford College, Oxford, Tom is a regular media commentator and author, and his unique diplomatic experiences means he is an expert at captivating audiences.
Professor Trevor Williams
Former Chief Economist of Lloyds Bank
Professor Trevor Williams is the former Chief Economist of Lloyds Bank, UK, where he led an award-winning team of economists for over a decade. His extensive expertise and engaging style provide essential insights into key trends and policies that shape our economy and markets.