And there isnât a better place to discuss the future
of meat than in Mato Grosso, Brazil.
E nĂŁo tem lugar melhor para discutir o futuro
da carne do que em Mato Grosso - Brasil.
Confirmed Speakers
October 27
Rupert Claxton
Meat and Livestock Director
GIRA
Rupert has worked as a strategy consultant in the food sector since 2003, with a high level of specialization in global meat and livestock markets.
Richard Brown
Meat and Livestock Director
GIRA
Specialist in global meat and livestock market analysis, focusing on consumption trends and international trade.
October 28
Dr. Juan José Grigera Naón
President
IMS
President of the International Meat Secretariat (IMS). Has extensive experience in global policies for the animal protein sector and in developing international markets for the industry. Leads initiatives to promote sustainable practices and improve the image of meat on the world stage.
Dr. Phil Hadley
Secretary General
IMS
Secretary General of the International Meat Secretariat (IMS). With extensive experience in the sector, he coordinates international efforts and initiatives within the global meat industry.
Caio Penido
President
IMAC
President of the Mato Grosso Meat Institute (IMAC). Works on sustainable development of Brazilian livestock and promotion of national meat in international markets.
CĂ©sar Miranda
Secretary of Economic Development of Mato Grosso
Government of the State of Mato Grosso
Business administrator, marketing specialist and foreign trade expert. A career public servant of the Legislative Assembly of Mato Grosso, he has served as a parliamentary advisor in the Federal Senate and held positions in agencies such as Intermat, the State Environmental Foundation, and the Finance Secretariat.
As head of the SEDEC-MT, he focuses on attracting investments, strengthening the business environment and diversifying the stateâs economic base.
Mauro Mendes
Governor
Mato Grosso (TBC)
Governor of Mato Grosso state, one of Brazil's main agricultural hubs. His administration focuses on sustainable development and strengthening the agricultural sector in the region.
John Masswohl
Vice-President of IMS
Canadian Cattle Association
Vice-President of IMS and representative of the Canadian Cattle Association. Expert in trade policies and international market development for the meat sector. Has extensive experience in trade negotiations and works to expand access for Canadian products to global markets.
Kent Bacus
Executive Director, Government Affairs
NCBA
Executive Director of Government Affairs at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). Works with public policies and government relations for the beef sector, representing industry interests with the US government and in international trade negotiations.
John Clarke
Former Director of International Affairs Commission
European Union
Former Director of the European Union's International Affairs Commission. Expert in trade policies and international regulations for the agricultural and food sector. Has extensive experience in multilateral trade negotiations and in formulating European agricultural policies.
Chen Wei
Vice-president of IMS
China Meat Association
President of the China Meat Association (CMA) and Vice President of the International Meat Secretariat (IMS). He also serves as the Deputy Secretary General of the China National Slaughter and Processing Standardization Technical Committee, among other positions. In 2020, he was awarded the Order of Chevalier for Achievements in Agriculture of the French Republic.
Rupert Claxton
Meat and Livestock Director
GIRA
Rupert has worked as a strategy consultant in the food sector since 2003, with a high level of specialization in global meat and livestock markets. He analyzes the evolving nature of international meat demand and the supply systems that provide it, working with key actors along the chain, from feed ingredients and genetics, through slaughtering, international trade, and eventually with consumer brands.
Thanawat Tiensin
Assistant Director-General
FAO
Appointed Assistant Director-General of FAO in August 2024, Chief Veterinarian in February 2024, and Director of Animal Production and Health Division in August 2022. From 2018â2022, he served as Minister (Agriculture) and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the UN Agencies in Rome. He chaired the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) and the Global Soil Partnership (GSP), and held various positions in FAO committees.
Knud Buhl
CEO
Danish Bacon & Meat Council
Knud Buhl is a seasoned leader specializing in international trade, policy advocacy, and global market development. As CEO of the Danish Bacon & Meat Council, he focuses on driving business growth through navigating complex trade dynamics, building strategic partnerships, and advocating for improved global market access.
Prof. Michael Lee
Deputy Vice Chancellor
Harper Adams University
Expert in sustainable livestock systems, defining their role in securing global food security while protecting environmental health. Deputy Vice Chancellor of Harper Adams University since 2020. Published over 375 research articles, including in Nature and Science. Awarded the Sir John Hammond Memorial Prize in 2015 and fellowships of the Royal Societies of Arts and Biology. Served as President of the British Society of Animal Science (2018â2022) and represents the UK on Animal Task Force, advising the EU parliament.
Eric Mittenthal
Chief Strategy Officer
Meat Institute, US
Eric Mittenthal is the Chief Strategy Officer at the Meat Institute, previously serving as the organization's vice president of public affairs and vice president of sustainability. He leads the Meat Institute's Protein PACT strategy focused on implementing a framework for continuous improvement throughout the industry and a commitment to greater transparency to meet consumer and customer expectations.
Ted McKinney
CEO at NASDA
USA
Ted McKinney has served as CEO of NASDA since 2021. He was the first USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, leading trade policies and global negotiations. He also served as Director of Agriculture in Indiana and had a corporate career with Dow AgroSciences and Elanco. He is known for his leadership in international relations and advocacy for American agribusiness.
Marcos Jank
Senior Agribusiness Professor
INSPER, Brazil
Marcos Jank is a global agribusiness authority with 37 years of experience across institutions, companies, and governments. A professor at INSPER, he has led UNICA, worked at BRF in Asia, and contributed to the World Bank, FAO, and IDB. He has been a columnist for major newspapers and is currently an agribusiness commentator at CNN Brazil, widely recognized for his academic and executive career.
Jaime Verruck
State Secretary
SEMADESC/MS
Economist with a masterâs in Rural Economics (UFRGS) and a PhD in Development and Territorial Planning (UCM/Madrid), with executive training at INSEAD, Wharton, and FGV.
He has served as consultant and professor (FGV and UCDB) and held leadership roles such as Corporate Director at FIEMS, Regional Director at SENAI/MS, and President of IMASUL.
Currently, he leads policies for sustainability, innovation, and economic competitiveness as State Secretary at SEMADESC/MS.
Thiago Bernardino de Carvalho
Researcher and Professor
Cepea/Esalq USP âą FATEP
Economist (ESALQ/USP), MSc in Applied Economics (ESALQ), PhD in Business Administration (FEA/USP), and MBA in Marketing (USP).
Researcher at Cepea/Esalq/USP since 2002, focusing on market intelligence and livestock supply chains; MBA professor at USP since 2010 and professor at FATEP since 2020 (former professor at UNESP 2019â2023).
Member of CORS and the international Agribenchmark network. Panelist at âSustainable beef production: dynamics of COâ and CHââ (28/10).
Alan Thomson
Agribusiness Leader & Advisor
Ravensdown âą Hitachi Australia
Alan Thomson has spent over 40 years working alongside farmers, helping them run more profitable and productive businesses while keeping an eye on the future.
Christchurch-born and a Lincoln University graduate, he has visited more than 3,000 farms across New Zealand, Australia, Canada and South Africa.
He spent over 25 years with Ravensdown, starting as a technical rep and working directly with farmers to develop practical, science-backed solutions.
More recently, as Director of Agribusiness at Hitachi Australia, he focused on agritech innovations that improve farm performance while ensuring long-term sustainability.
Alan believes in using data and technology to help farmers make smarter decisions that deliver real value on-farm.
He is committed to a strong, farmer-focused B+LNZ, ensuring farmersâ levy investments are spent wisely and deliver real results.
Mariane Crespolini
PhD in Economics; Institutional Relations Executive
Minerva Foods âą Professor at FGV
Executive at Minerva Foods, responsible for global market opening and expansion strategies. Holds a PhD in Economics and teaches at Fundação GetĂșlio Vargas (FGV). She worked for nearly ten years as a researcher at Cepea/USP.
During Minister Tereza Cristinaâs administration, she served as Director of the Sustainability Department at Brazilâs Ministry of Agriculture, leading initiatives on sustainability and agribusiness competitiveness.
October 29
Trine Thorkildsen
Head of Nutrition, Sustainability and Animal Welfare
MatPrat (Norway)
Trine Thorkildsen is Head of Nutrition and Sustainability at MatPrat â the Norwegian Egg and Meat Council. She leads initiatives to promote the nutritional value and sustainability of animal-based foods, working with industry stakeholders to develop evidence-based strategies for public health and sustainable food systems.
Trine also chairs the IMS Human Nutrition and Health Committee and is a member of its Executive Council.
Trine also chairs the IMS Human Nutrition and Health Committee and is a member of its Executive Council.
Prof. Frederic Leroy
Professor Dr. Ir.
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Graduated as a Bioengineer (Ghent University, 1998) and obtained a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB, 2002), where he now holds a professorship in food science and (bio)technology. His research deals with animal-sourced foods, food processing, human nutrition, and interdisciplinary 'food studies'. He is one of the initiators of the 2022 Dublin Declaration of the Societal Role of Livestock.
Dr. Andrew Mente
Professor
McMaster University
Dr. Mente received his doctoral degree in Epidemiology from the University of Toronto. He completed post-doctoral training in cardiovascular epidemiology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, and is currently a Professor at the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), and the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI), Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University.
Dr. Carrie Ruxton
Nutrition Communicator
Quality Meat Scotland
Dr Carrie Ruxton is a UK-based dietitian and board member of Quality Meat Scotland. After qualifying from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Carrie worked in academia and the food industry before founding a B2B consultancy, Nutrition Communications. She specializes in assessing and translating nutrition and health science for a broad range of audiences.
Olivia Midgley
Editorial Director
Farmers Guardian
Olivia Midgley is a journalist and editor with 18+ yearsâ experience in publishing across print and digital media. As editorial director of Farmers Guardian, she leads the brandâs digital transformation and sets the tone and vision of its content. Since becoming editor in 2023, she has introduced a new digital strategy and redesigned print edition.
Named âNew Editor of the Yearâ by the British Society of Magazine Editors in 2024, Olivia is also a regular media commentator on farming-related topics. She is a director and deputy chair of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists and a mentor with the Creative Mentor Network, supporting inclusivity in creative industries.
Named âNew Editor of the Yearâ by the British Society of Magazine Editors in 2024, Olivia is also a regular media commentator on farming-related topics. She is a director and deputy chair of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists and a mentor with the Creative Mentor Network, supporting inclusivity in creative industries.
Laura Villarreal
Director of the Ruminants Business Unit
MSD Animal Health
Director of the Ruminants Business Unit at MSD Animal Health since 2022. Originally from Colombia, she is a veterinarian (University of La Salle) with a masterâs and PhD in Pathology from the University of SĂŁo Paulo (USP). Joined MSD in 2006 in Regulatory Affairs, later serving as Technical Manager for Brazil and Latin America, Global Marketing Director (USA, 2013), Poultry Business Unit Director in Brazil (2014), and General Manager for the Southern Region (Chile and Argentina, 2019). She currently leads the livestock team in Brazil.
Dr. Francisco D'Alessio
Regional Representative for the Americas
WOAH
Dr. Francisco D'Alessio is the WOAH Regional Representative for the Americas, a position he has held since January 2025. Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, he earned his Veterinary degree and a postgraduate specialization from the University of Buenos Aires. Before taking on his current role, he was Deputy Head of the WOAH Standards Department, contributing to the development and implementation of international standards.
Dr. Andrea Gavinelli
Head of Unit SANTE G3: Animal Welfare
EU Commission
Andrea is a veterinarian and policy official with a career spanning over two decades at the European Commission. He graduated from the University of Milan with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and has been with the European Commission since February 1999. Currently, Andrea leads the Unit responsible for shaping and implementing Animal Welfare policies within DG Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE).
Brayan Montoya-Torres
IMS Science Award Winner
Texas Tech University
The winner of the IMS Award for Young Talents was Brayan Montoya-Torres, a Ph.D. candidate in Food Safety/Food Microbiology from the International Center for Food Industry Excellence (ICFIE), Animal and Food Sciences Department, Texas Tech University, with the poster "Microbiome of Healthy Beef Cattle Lymph Nodes and Digesta Using 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing Analysis".
Anne-Marie Roerink
President
210 Analytics
Anne-Marie Roerink is the president of 210 Analytics, a research firm specialized in food retailing. Working closely with manufacturers, retailers and trade associations, Anne-Marie has developed an excellent perspective on the wants and needs of the meat and poultry consumer in an ever-changing world.
Tom Rees
Industry Manager
Euromonitor International
Tom is an Industry Manager at Euromonitor International with a focus on food and nutrition. Based in London, he has more than 19 years of experience in research. He provides global expertise, forward-thinking insights, and is the author of publications including The Future of Meat and Away From Animals.
Dr. David Newman
Senior VP Market Growth
National Pork Board
Dr. David Newman oversees domestic and international market development, business intelligence, and human nutrition at the National Pork Board. He holds a Ph.D. in meat science and has experience in production, academia, and consulting in the swine industry.
Dr. David Hughes
Emeritus Professor
Imperial College London
Dr. Hughes is a global expert in agri-food trends, having worked in multiple continents and industries. He served in advisory boards like Rabobank UK and was co-founder of a fresh food company in the USA. His insights are highly sought after by media and corporations.
Prof. Sergio Pflanzer
Professor of Food Technology
Unicamp
A veterinarian graduated from PUC-PR, with a master's and PhD in Food Technology from Unicamp, where he has taught since 2013. A meat science specialist, he focuses his research on improving the sensory quality of beef, both pre- and post-slaughter.
In recent years, he has expanded his studies to explore the links between meat consumption, human health, and environmental sustainability. He is the founder of falandodecarne.com, where he debunks myths about animal protein with clarity and scientific rigor.
In recent years, he has expanded his studies to explore the links between meat consumption, human health, and environmental sustainability. He is the founder of falandodecarne.com, where he debunks myths about animal protein with clarity and scientific rigor.
Adrian Bifaretti
Agricultural Engineer & MSc in International Marketing
Argentine Beef Promotion Institute (IPCVA)
Agricultural Engineer and Master in International Marketing from the National University of La Plata (Argentina). Since 2004, Head of the Domestic Promotion Department at the Argentine Beef Promotion Institute (IPCVA). Executive education at INCAE (Costa Rica), IE Madrid, IESE/University of Navarra (Barcelona) and ESIC (Spain).
He coordinated and supervised 130+ agri-food research projects focused on market studies, eating behavior analysis, social listening and AI. Postgraduate lecturer in Agri-food Marketing (UNLP and UNTREF, 2002â2025) and speaker at 260+ sector events.
Augusto Camacho
Journalist specialized in Agribusiness
Experience in soybean, corn and livestock press offices
A Journalism graduate from ParanĂĄ, originally from Londrina, he has experience in press relations, news websites and TV reporting. He has worked in ParanĂĄ, Mato Grossoâs countryside and CuiabĂĄ, including positions at the State Court of Accounts, Sercomtel and CNT/PR.
Currently focused on Agribusiness Journalism, he has worked with communication in the soybean, corn and livestock sectors, building expertise in rural press and sector coverage.
José Luiz Tejon
Advertiser, Writer, and Professor
CEO of Biomarketing | Agribusiness Marketing Specialist
JosĂ© Luiz Tejon Megido is an advertiser, journalist, writer, professor, consultant, and speaker. Author and co-author of 37 books, including best-sellers. He serves as Academic Coordinator of the Master Science in Food & Agribusiness Management program (Audencia â France / Fecap â Brazil) and is a guest professor at FIA/USP and INSPER. He is Managing Partner at Biomarketing, an agency specialized in agribusiness dynamics.
Tejon has received numerous awards, including the ADVB Top Marketing Award, the LIDE Communication Award, and is a member of the Brazilian Marketing Academy Hall of Fame. He was awarded the Alysson Paolinelli Ministerial Commendation (2021) and the ABAG Agribusiness Personality Award âNey Bittencourt de AraĂșjoâ (2023). He also served for over a decade as a mentor at the National Congress of Women in Agribusiness (CNMA), helping to develop female leadership in the rural sector.
Tejon has received numerous awards, including the ADVB Top Marketing Award, the LIDE Communication Award, and is a member of the Brazilian Marketing Academy Hall of Fame. He was awarded the Alysson Paolinelli Ministerial Commendation (2021) and the ABAG Agribusiness Personality Award âNey Bittencourt de AraĂșjoâ (2023). He also served for over a decade as a mentor at the National Congress of Women in Agribusiness (CNMA), helping to develop female leadership in the rural sector.
Ernesto Viglizzo
Member of the GPS Network Argentina
Environmental Affairs Advisor
Agricultural Engineer and Ph.D. from the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium. Principal Researcher at CONICET, former researcher at INTA, and professor at Universidad Austral. Lead author of IPCC reports and other global environmental programs. Member of the National Academy of Agronomy and Veterinary and Honorary Member of AACREA. Advisor on environmental issues for GPS Network Argentina and the Argentine Rural Society.
Fernanda Macitelli
Academic Representative at GTPS
Professor at UFMT Sinop
Animal Scientist with a Ph.D. in Animal Behavior and Welfare, with over 20 years of field experience as a livestock producer. A pioneer in managing breeding farms at a time when few women held leadership roles in the rural sector. Academic representative at the Sustainable Livestock Working Group (GTPS), professor at UFMT Sinop, and associate researcher with the ETCO group.
JoĂŁo Garcia Caramori Jr
Full Professor at the Federal University of Mato Grosso
Specialist in Animal Science and Swine Production
Full Professor at the Federal University of Mato Grosso, with extensive experience in non-ruminant animal science, especially swine production. Works in the areas of nutrition, intestinal microbiota, performance, and animal welfare. Teaches scientific and educational methodology, improving teaching techniques in animal production. Member of the Brazil SGI Association, a UN-affiliated NGO, volunteer lecturer on anti-bullying, and also an artist and piano student.
LĂvia Machado
CMO in Agribusiness
Marketing and Project Director at ABCS
Executive with a solid career in agribusiness, serving as Marketing and Project Director (CMO) at ABCS. Her mission is to strengthen the sector's positioning by connecting producers, consumers, and the market through communication and innovation strategies. Holds MBAs in Business Management, Marketing, and Innovation, combining strategic vision, practical execution, and team leadership. Founder of Agronux, a project for developing young professionals and new leaders in agribusiness.
Ernesto Fernandes
National Butchery Manager
Grupo PĂŁo de AçĂșcar
Professional with extensive experience in retail and operations management in the meat sector. Currently serves as National Butchery Manager at Grupo PĂŁo de AçĂșcar, leading quality, productivity, and service strategies in one of Brazilâs largest supermarket chains.
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