MEET THE SPEAKERS

Conference Speakers

President of the Global Harmonization Initiative (GHI), formerly with Unilever.

Prof. dr. h.c. Huub Lelieveld, formerly with Unilever, a Past-President of the European Federation of Food Science and Technology (EFFoST); Founder and Past-President of the European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group (EHEDG); Fellow of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology (IAFoST); Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT); he served on the Governing Council of the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) and has been Chair of the Nonthermal Processing and International divisions of IFT. At Unilever, he was responsible for hygienic processing and plant design and novel processing technologies.

He is editor or co-editor of many books, on food hygiene, food safety and food processing technologies. He also wrote many chapters for such books as well as hundreds of articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and in relevant magazines. He is visiting professor at the National University of Food Technologies in Kiev, Ukraine. 

President Food Science & Technology Platform of Kenya  

George Ooko Abong’ holds a bachelor, masters and doctorate degrees in Food Science and Technology. He currently works as an Associate Professor at the Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Technology at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. He currently chairs the Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Technology and chairs the Food Science and Technology Platform of Kenya (FoSTeP-K). He is involved in research in several areas including the safe processing of foods from plant and livestock origin and human nutrition-related issues where he widely published with 106 peer-reviewed publications, 1 book and 5 scholarly book chapters.

Hoda Sabry

 Hoda Sabry is a financing and banking expert with an experience of over 30 years working with financial institutions inside and outside Egypt; and working with different programs and projects as a financing and banking expert with strong working relations within the Egyptian banking sector. Hoda established and operated Egypt’s Environmental Fund in the year 2000 in accordance with the international standards set forth by the OECD (the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development); thereafter became an independent consultant working in programs and projects of multi and bilateral organizations: WB, EC, EU, EBRD, AfD, KfW, UNIDO, GEF and GIZ.  

CEO of Dcode Economic and Financial Consulting  

A renowned figure in SME policy development with more than 22 years of experience in Egypt with all kinds of stakeholders and in diverse sectors and various ranges of services. His reputation in analysis, presentation, management and leadership skills as well as having a clear vision and consistent structure is unparalleled.  

Between 2018 and 2019, Mr Youssef was a Team Leader on a UNIDO-funded Creative Mediterranean Project in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria.   

Managing Director ZDC Consulting

Sustainability Consultant at B Corp Certificate

Senior Manager - Industrial Projects Department and Technological Support - Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA).

Ahmed El-Kenany has over 25 years of experience in developing micro, small, and medium enterprises “MSMEs”.This
experience cumulated through working in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development Agency “MSMEDA” and through participating in the management /implementation
of several MSME development projects funded/executed by international
organizations, many of these projects have won awards for excellence at the global and regional levels, such as One Village One Product Project “OVOP” and Organic Clusters Project “OCP”.

Since 2017 Ahmed has been a certified ILO
SIYB Master Trainer (one of 300 Master Trainers worldwide and one of 9 regional master trainers)

Supply Chain Director, Wadi Group

Supply chain director with 20 years of experience at 5 different companies in different industries where he performed all supply chain functions, had different professional business certificates, and a proven record of achievements, For the last 3 years, he has been working at Wadi Group as a supply chain director for sixteen different companies taking care of demand & supply planning, warehouses, procurement, and customer services including fleet, distribution, and import & export logistics.  Before Wadi, he worked at Xceed and TE Data for 9 years, 4 of which, he was working in customer service building the teams and systems needed to accomplish the highest level of customer satisfaction and achieving the target set by the top management. For the remaining 5 years, he worked as a facilities and supply chain controller where he controlled and coordinated several functions including buildings and branch maintenance, cleaning & space planning, fleet, and safety & security in addition to purchasing, warehouses, and contracts. 

Managing partner at
SME consulting

Mr. Mostafa Nabil is SME consulting managing partner since 2015, has many Governmental Projects Digital transformation consultant & strategist, and Global Strategy Management Consultant with 14 years in consulting corporate, government entities & startups. Mr. Mostafa is also responsible for financial & business analysis, strategy consulting and transformation mapping for projects with budgets up to 135 million USD with total projects worth more than 1 billion USD, and he managed to draw partnership maps and plan for global joint venture businesses worth more than 20 million USD. He is also an active member of IIBA, AMI, CFA, IMA, CFI, PMI. 

Vice-Chairman for AmCham KSA

Tamer Mosalam led PepsiCo subsidiary and served as The Chief Executive Officer for GCC & Levant region, and PepsiCo JV General Manager based in Saudi Arabia. Tamer also served as the Chairman and CEO for PepsiCo Food Division and company-owned businesses in Egypt and North Africa. Tamer holds the position of Vice-Chairman for AmCham KSA, Chair for the Trade & Industry committee tee for KSA, the Co-Chair for the agriculture committee at the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, The Head of the F&B committee at the Canada Egypt business council, and member of Egypt agriculture Export council.   

Supply chain & logistics partner at SME consulting

Dr. Mohamed El Bana is the new Suez Canal Marine Logistics Managing Partner, Former Marketing & Customer service Director of K LINE for 18 years, and the logistics & supply chain head & Partner in SME Consulting. He is a masters holder in International Transport and Logistics from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, DBA in International Transport and Logistics - from Ain shams university. Dr. Mohamed is a certified Trainer in the Middle East and North Africa – Kingston business academy London, and a member of the European Certification Board for Logistics – European Logistics Association.

Director of the Egyptian Food Bank’s Growth Lab

Dr. Mohamed Elkaramany is a public policy expert and food security advocate with over 17 years of professional and academic experience in public policy, international development, and program management. He is currently the Director of the Egyptian Food Bank’s Growth Lab, where he leads the organization’s transformation into an evidence-based and impact-driven nonprofit, as well as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of public policy at the American University in Cairo (AUC). Dr. Elkaramany holds a PhD in public policy from Oregon State University, a Master of Public Policy
from the AUC, and a Humphrey Fellowship in Public Policy from the University of Washington in Seattle.

Executive Director of Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA) 

Sanjay Sethi is a world-renowned impact investment leader and sustainable food expert. Over a 3-decade-long illustrious career, Mr Sethi set up winning integrated supply chains in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Eastern Europe, South Asia and in India. A leader of cross-functional teams, he rolled out the large supply chain, sustainable food production, irrigation, and agri infrastructure projects. Sanjay Sethi is currently the Executive Director of the Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA), a CEO-led body representing and building a strong foundation for India's plant-based food companies which produce high-quality plant-based alternatives to dairy and meat products. Previously he was on the Board of Sustainable Rice Platform, an initiative of the UN Environment and International Rice Research Institute. He was also a Steering Committee Member of the Global Agribusiness Alliance of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Geneva

Managing Director- RAPID Consultancy

Randa graduated from the American university in Cairo majoring in Chemistry, specializing in Industrial Chemistry followed by further studies in Nutrition, Total Quality Management, and sustainability. She has moved to consulting in UAE after more than 10 year-experience in food & beverage regulatory affairs where she applied national food laws and took care of label compliance for Middle East & Africa markets. Her areas of expertise are Middle East & Africa Food Laws, Nutrition & Wellness, Clean Label, Food Adulteration and Fighting Food Waste. 

Manager of Quality and food safety - Middle East Africa at Mars  

 

Marketing Director for Essential Dairy at Danone Egypt   

With 15 years of experience under her belt in driving Danone Egypt’s business growth, Radwa is the mastermind behind countless successful strategic plans, and product launches in essential dairy and early life nutrition categories.   Since joining Danone Egypt, she transformed the portfolio into an exciting, innovative range meeting the needs of the different consumer segments in Egypt; increasing the market share by almost 20%.   A disruptor in her field, Radwa enjoys challenges and strives to transform dairy products into more unique and enjoyable nutritious solutions for Egyptians, through innovation and creative integrated marketing communication.    

Marketing director at Juhayna     

Amr joined Juhayna in 2016 as Marketing Director, he previously served in Marketing Brand Management in Coca-Cola Atlantic in 2013 up until 2016. He First joined Juhayna’s Marketing Brand Management team in 2009 until 2013, and previously served as Solution Delivery Manager Engineer at Orange Business services in 2008. Also, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in engineering and later acquired his master's degree in business administration specializing in Marketing. 

Customer Innovation Manager for Egypt & Levant at Cargill

Khaled has 12 years of experience in Corporate Multinational Food and Beverage Companies i.e., Farm Frites, Mondelēz, Nestle, Froneri, Kellogg's and currently Cargill.    

 
Khaled was responsible for launching more than 50 novel products in the Egyptian /GCC markets between innovation and renovation and currently in Cargill managing the role of R&D Customer technical support and Innovation for all B2B customers in Egypt, Lebanon , Syria and Libya. 
 
Khaled holds MBA in Global Business and Marketing, Paris Business School ESLSCA, Marketing Diploma from Cambridge International Examination , Project Management Diploma from Riti and Certified Innovation Fundamentals Masterclass from Cargill.

 

Founder and Managing Director – TAKAMOL Consulting & Assessment and Quality Director – Ministry of Planning and Economic Developmen

With working experience in assessing organizational excellence against different models’ and awards as the European Excellence Model (EFQM), Dubai Government Excellence Program (DGEP). Sheikh Khalifa Governmental Excellence Program (SKGEP) and management systems third-party certification as a lead auditor for food safety, quality, environmental and information security management systems.   
Mohamed is an approved training partner for the British Retail Consortium (BRCGS) since 2010 and Lead tutor for the International Register of Certified Auditors (IRCA). 

Business Development Manager at Innova Market Insights    

Anatolis is a Business Development Manager at Innova Market Insights. He collaborates closely with partners in the food and beverage industry worldwide, providing support with the development of new products and with analysis of ingredients, flavors, and packaging. Anatolis helps businesses expand and contributes to strategic customer projects by leveraging Innova Market Insights' services, and the expertise he acquired during his master's degree in Economic and Consumer Psychology.   

Director of Marketing, Middle East at Kerry

Leanna has worked with the Kerry Group for over 20 years, focusing on inspiring innovation in Foodservice and Retail FMCG channels in Asia, North America, Europe and now the Middle East and Africa. She began in her family sailing business in Honolulu, Hawaii, and progressed to a decade in hospitality before joining the manufacturing side of Food and Beverage. She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology, and a Master’s in Whole System Design. Tapping into this diverse background, Leanna is passionate about psychographics and consumer insights. As a participant in many waves of innovation for the food industry, Leanna is delighted to be of service to Kerry’s partners and their consumers in the Middle East: she believes that plant-based innovation in the Middle East could fundamentally shift the food concerns of not only the region, but the world.  

 

Quality and Food Safety Director at  Smiley's Food Industry
& Smiley’s Bakery, 
 

With 14 years of experience, Beshoy has a deep understanding of the complex regulations and guidelines that govern food safety and quality. Beshoy is HACCP, OHSAS 18001, ISO 22000, 6 Sigma, GMP, FSSC awareness, Food allergen, SQF, BRC certified.

He is working on increasing Meat & poultry WHC ability with cooperation with a Dutch protein solution company, Applying the basics of Quality statics to be a cornerstone in decision making. As well as Increasing the awareness & use of baking science & technology by studying the effect of enzyme role in baking improvement, and the effect of different PH degrees.  

African Accreditation Operation Manager at HSA group

 

Quality Product Development VP at Beyti

With a solid background in research and the most elite business training on supply chain management, human resource management, ISO certification, and statistical quality control, he has standardized quality operations across Beyti IDJ to ensure brand protection and speckless operations.  His role involves in-depth assurance of regulatory and environmental compliance, risk management, health and safety, financial targets and training and development. Previously, he served on various quality leadership missions at USCE (United Sugar Company of Egypt) Savola Group. Soud earned an MBA with a Marketing focus at Cardiff Metropolitan University and a Master Degree in Biotechnology, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University. 

 

Content and Editorial Executive at FMCG Gurus

Chairman Mashreq for Business Development

Ashraf El Gazayerli is an entrepreneur with passion for profitable growth, creating employment opportunities, impactful socio-economic initiatives, people’s development, and promoting entrepreneurship – Chairman of Mashreq for Business Development. Ashraf started his career at Unilever in 1994 as a Marketing Management Trainee. Between 2006 & 2013, he was an Executive Board Member of Unilever Mashreq and General Manager for Unilever Levant and that was his last position after striving to leave his positive imprint behind on the business as well as people locally and globally. Ashraf also served as General Manager of Mashreq Des Produits Laitiers, a Savencia Fromage & Dairy subsidiary and Dreem SAE, local leader in RTP desserts and powder soft drinks.  In 2013, Ashraf decided to focus on the growing business of Mashreq for Business Development, a leading player in food ingredients solutions as well as launching purpose driven FMCG brands - Bab El Sham spices and Bloom herbal infusions. Ashraf is the Chairman of the Egyptian Chamber of Food Industries, leading change and helping local and multinational businesses to grow in Egypt. He’s Also a Board Member of Alexandria chamber of Commerce, Vice Chairman of the Egyptian Food Export Council, Board Member of the French- Egyptian Presidential Business Council, Former Chairman and current Member of the Board of Trustees of the Egyptian Junior Business Association.

Regional Quality Lead for MEA at Mars

Aya Amer is the Regional Quality Lead, handling Middle East and Africa region in Mars Wrigley. She’s responsible for Quality and Food Safety standards deployment and governance in MEA sites and Market Unit and works closely with MEA Senior Q&FS Manager in setting the function strategy and roadmap, managing incidents and non-conformities, and embedding Quality culture across supply chain. Aya holds a Bachelor’s degree of Pharmacy and Biotechnology from the German University in Cairo (2013) and Master’s degree in Quality Management (2021) and has 9 years of experience in Q&FS where she has led the Q&FS validations of various new production lines. She also has experience in leading site’s HACCP studies, deploying quality transformational projects, and microbiology.  What makes Aya passionate about Quality field is witnessing the positive effect of Quality culture on mindsets and behaviors and how adopting risk-based approach in handling food safety hazards has revolutionized risk management and helped businesses make better decisions.  

 

QFS leader at Mars

Mohamed Wahby is quality and food safety leader for enrobing value stream in Mars OCT factory. He is responsible for leading standards implementation, incident management, systems continuous improvement and development of shopfloor culture. Mohamed holds bachelor degree in science specialized in microbiology/environmental sciences from Alexandria university. He worked as environmental specialist in Bibliotheca Alexandrina (New library of Alexandria) and moved to FMCG industry where he worked as HSE officer for Danone EG and Mars before moving to QFS in 2021. Mohamed is passionate about environmental sciences and sustainability where he does some volunteer work which enabled him to be become certified Sustainable Development trainer.

 

Senior Manager, Client Support EMEA AIB International

John has spent over 40 years working in the food industry holding roles in Quality Assurance, Research & Development along with Food Safety inspecting and training. Since joining AIB International in 1994, he has worked in over 60 countries providing food safety education/training programmes and auditing/inspecting food and food packaging facilities.Although British, he has spent the last 27 years in Turkey and has extensive experience working in the Middle East and North Africa region.Through his friendly and knowledgeable approach he has had great success in helping many multi-national companies improve the food safety and hygiene standards at their facilities.John studied chemistry at the Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK.

Business Development Director, Meat EUM

Stephen has worked for Kerry for nearly a decade, starting out as an Innovation Chef, following an extensive career as a chef in Michelin star restaurants across multiple countries. He has in depth knowledge of both the foodservice & retail sector having held commercial & business development roles in both sectors. Stephens career in Kerry began in the Global Technology Innovation Center in Ireland before moving to the Dubai in 2016 to lead the Kerry foodservice business in both QSR & Branded Street channels. Most recently, given the growing demand for plant based alternatives globally and Kerry’s ambitions to be leaders in this area, Stephen has taken up the position of Business Development Director – MeatEUM. In this role Stephen is driven to build sustainable business across all plant based alternative categories. With a culinary & consumer driven mindset, Stephen is passionate about keeping the consumer at the core of everything, believing that delivering great tasting products to consumers will be the key to its success. Stephen holds a Degree in Culinary Arts, and Post Grad in Business management from LSE, London.