Daniel Akinmolayan

Director de Sistemas de TI y Soporte al Cliente, SQFI

Daniel Akinmolayan es el Director de Sistemas de TI y Atención al Cliente en el Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI), donde ha liderado los avances tecnológicos desde 2017. Con una Maestría en Tecnología de la Información especializada en Tecnología de Sistemas de Bases de Datos de la Universidad de Maryland, Daniel supervisa el ecosistema de TI de SQFI, incluida la base de datos de Evaluación de Auditoría. Su trabajo ha posicionado al programa SQF como líder en tecnología de certificación de inocuidad alimentaria.

Daniel se especializa en aprovechar tecnologías avanzadas, como el análisis predictivo y la inteligencia artificial, para mejorar los sistemas de administración de auditoría. Como orador experimentado, con frecuencia comparte información sobre aprendizaje automático y análisis de datos en eventos de la industria. Más allá de su experiencia técnica, a Daniel le apasiona tutorizar equipos, impulsar la innovación y fomentar la colaboración global para crear un cambio significativo.

Carey Allen

Vicepresidente de Desarrollo y Estrategia de Negocios, SQFI

Carey Allen es la Vicepresidenta de Desarrollo de Negocios y Estrategia con SQFI. Anteriormente, Carey fue vicepresidente de la División de Alimentos y Ag en SCS Global Services y ocupó cargos de liderazgo sénior en las divisiones de certificación de productos y inocuidad alimentaria de NSF. Carey lideró el desarrollo de varios protocolos de certificación NSF patentados y defendió numerosas iniciativas de excelencia operacional. Antes de su permanencia en la industria de las TIC, Carey trabajó durante casi diez años en la fabricación de alimento, I+D y control de calidad con varias marcas importantes. Carey obtuvo su BS y MS en ciencia de alimento y una Maestría en administración, estrategia y liderazgo. Carey disfruta contribuyendo a la industria a través de actividades de voluntariado con comités de asociación y grupos de trabajo, además apoya programas juveniles, artísticos y sociales en su comunidad de Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Kristina Bierschwale

Coming Soon

LeAnn Chuboff

Vicepresidente, Asuntos Técnicos, SQFI

LeAnn tiene más de 30 años de experiencia en servicio de alimentos especializándose en la cadena de suministro, inocuidad alimentaria y aseguramiento de calidad. Actualmente LeAnn es la Vicepresidenta de Asuntos Técnicos del Instituto Safe Quality Food (SQF) responsable de los elementos técnicos del programa SQF incluyendo el desarrollo, mantenimiento y soporte técnico del Código SQF y materiales de apoyo.

Antes de trabajar en el Instituto SQF, LeAnn trabajó para la National Restaurant Association Solutions como Directora de Ciencia y Relaciones Regulatorias. En este rol, fue responsable de la precisión técnica del programa de inocuidad alimentaria ServSafe y desarrolló programa y servicios sobre inocuidad alimentaria y defensa alimentaria para encajar con todos los segmentos de la industria restaurantera. LeAnn se graduó de la Universidad Estatal de Iowa con una licenciatura en Ciencias de los Alimentos y es activa con muchas organizaciones, incluidas GFSI, AFDO y la Asociación Internacional para la Protección de los Alimentos.

Nicole Ferreri

Coming Soon

Casey Gallimore

Meat Institute

Casey Lynn Gallimore serves as the senior director of regulatory policy at the Meat Institute where she provides analysis and expertise on a variety of topics including: food safety, processing, animal welfare, and cybersecurity.

Prior to joining the Meat Institute, Gallimore spent seven years in the food industry in food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance roles. She has worked in FDA and USDA regulated facilities ranging from chocolate and ingredient manufacturing to portion cut steaks and market hog slaughter.

Gallimore earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Truman State University, with minors in Chemistry and Justice Systems.

Kristie Grzywinski

Technical Director, SQFI

Kristie Grzywinski is an accomplished Technical Director responsible for Learning and Development for the SQF Institute. With extensive experience in designing and managing global training programs, Kristie excels at creating innovative education solutions, developing competency-based curricula, and driving learning initiatives that generate significant organizational impact. Known for their strategic vision, Kristie has successfully SQFI’s expanded learning programs to reach diverse audiences, fostering professional growth and upholding industry standards. Her expertise includes curriculum design, certification development, and the development of implementation tools that support measurable success.

Sanjay Gummalla

Sr. Vice President, Scientific Affairs, American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI)

Sanjay Gummalla is Sr. VP, scientific affairs, at American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) tackling Listeria monocytogenes prevention and control programs and policy efforts. Prior to joining AFFI, Sanjay was VP, product development at Zentis NA, a global fruit preparation manufacturer. His technical expertise extends to flavor development, food microbiology, and product development resulting from managing global food application projects at Givaudan Flavors and leading the global dairy flavor research and development portfolio at Cargill.

Sanjay served on key committees representing industry: advisor, U.S. Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee for Processed Foods; committee member, Journal of Food Protection; president, Capital Area Food Protection Association, and chair, International Food Science Certification Commission administering IFT’s Certified Food Scientists program. He is also a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual instructor and taught food microbiology as adjunct professor at University of Cincinnati. He has a Ph.D. in Nutrition and Food Sciences from Utah State University.

Zach Henley

Enterprise Executive, Food & Beverage, ABM

Coming soon.

Lainie Hidalgo

Publix

Lainie Hidalgo, MS is a Quality Assurance Manager with Publix Super Markets Inc. Lainie has nearly ten years of Publix service in quality assurance roles in deli and bakery manufacturing, and currently manages the Quality Assurance department at their Deli Manufacturing establishment providing both USDA and FDA products to Publix retail stores.

Lainie holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Master of Science in Medical Sciences, both from the University of South Florida. Lainie holds several food safety credentials including Advanced HACCP, FSPCA Preventive Control of Human Foods, and is the SQF Practitioner at the Deli Manufacturing establishment that produces notable items for Publix such as Buffalo Chicken Dip, Southern Style Potato Salad, Oven Roasted Turkey Breast and Tavern Ham featured in the Deli case and Pub Subs.

Mason Hines

Senior Program Manager and Consensus Builder, RESOLVE

Mason manages RESOLVE’s Global Alliance to Advance Reuse (PR3), an initiative to standardize and scale reusable packaging systems and infrastructure. Mason led RESOLVE’s accreditation as an ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer in 2023 and now overseeing the development of seven foundational standards meant to enable interoperability among reuse systems, maximize efficiencies, and avoid the fragmentation that hampers current waste systems. As a new SDO, RESOLVE is hyper-focused on building equitable standards-setting processes and bringing non-traditional stakeholders to the table – believing that equity in process contributes to equity in outcomes.

Mason’s background is in conflict resolution. He has ten years of professional experience as a meditator and consensus builder. Please also talk to me about football, golf, all things fantasy and sci-fi, overly complex board games, and the joys of living with toddlers.

Prit Hora

Lead Auditor, Certification Manager - Food Certification, Bureau Veritas

Dr. Prit Hora holds a Ph.D. in Animal Sciences and a Master’s in Food Sciences and works with Bureau Veritas Certification North America (BVCNA). With over 20 years of experience in food safety and quality assurance, Dr. Hora has held roles in both the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the private sector.

An expert in developing and implementing Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS), Dr. Hora specializes in process improvements, operational excellence, training, and regulatory compliance for food categories including bakery, dairy, meat, and grain processing. He is a Certified HACCP Auditor (CHA), SQF Lead Auditor, and holds certifications in BRC Global Standards.

Dr. Hora has provided consulting, training, and auditing for SFCR, SQF, and BRCGS standards, helping organizations enhance food safety and quality. His work has driven success in regulatory compliance, continuous improvement, and preventive control initiatives across the food industry.


Hal King

Managing Partner, Active Food Safety

Hal King, Ph.D., is the Managing Partner at Active Food Safety, an Advisory Services partnership for the food industry.  Hal is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Public Health. Hal is the author of several books on the corporate governance of food safety management in the foodservice industry, and the author of numerous food industry publications that help the industry identify risk and prevent foodborne disease outbreaks. 

Hal’s new book  Food Safety Leadership in the Business of Food Safety, features business best practices from several food safety business leaders in our industry.  Hal is the recipient of the 2018 NSF International Food Safety Leadership and Innovation Award, and is formally the Director of Food and Product Safety at Chick-fil-A Inc. where he led the Food Safety Management Program for over 10 years.

Jonathan Lackie

Manager, Business Development & Sales, SQFI

Jonathan Lackie has over 14 years of experience within the food certification industry.  Previously having specialized in organic certification for the fast-growing Natural Foods market, he has worked with a broad spectrum of clients – from bootstrap entrepreneurs to industry leading multinational CPGs. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California Santa Barbara as well as a Master of Business Administration from San Diego’s Point Loma Nazarene University.

Douglas Marshall, CFS

Chief Scientific Officer, Eurofins Microbiology Laboratories

Dr. Douglas L. Marshall is Chief Scientific Officer with Eurofins Microbiology Laboratories.  He also serves as Technical Director for the Refrigerated Foods Association.  Formerly he was Associate Dean and Professor of Public Health, College of Natural and Health Sciences, University of Northern Colorado and a Contributing Editor of the scientific journal Food Microbiology.  His career focus is to improve the microbiological quality and safety of foods, with numerous publications and consultations in the area.  He has received the Mississippi Chemical Corporation Award of Excellence for Outstanding Work and the International Association for Food Protection Educator and Harold Barnum Industry Awards.  He is a Certified Food Scientist and a Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists.

Kris Middleton

Kris Middleton has been involved in the food safety auditing business since 2003 and involved with SQF since 2009. Throughout the years Kris has worked as an Auditor, Trainer, Technical Manager, and Program Manager at several different Certification Bodies and Training Centers. He is devoted and passionate about World Class service in any area that he is in with a focus on customer experience. Customers greatly appreciate his style, knowledge, and positive attitude, and energy that he brings to the table in anything that he is a part of. Kris has previously been a part of the SQFI Technical Advisory Committee, has recently been part of the SQFI Technical Working Group for Pet Food Ed. 9.0, was part of the SQFI Retail Code Working Group when the code was first established, is an active member in the GFSI Technical Working Group for Services Provisions, and participates in the International Association of Accredited Registrars Food Group.

Goranka Platisa

Coming Soon

Rajko Platisa

Coming Soon

Marcus Puente

Regulatory Compliance, Tyson Foods

Marcus Puente commenced his career with Tyson Foods in 2013 after completing his bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M University. Throughout his tenure at Tyson Foods, he has held various roles within FSQA, working in diverse process environments including poultry harvest, RTE meat production, and supplier compliance. During this period, he earned a Master’s degree in Food Safety from the University of Arkansas and attained his ASQ Certified Quality Auditor certification. In his current capacity, Marcus is accountable for regulatory compliance for Tyson Foods' Prepared Foods Business Unit. Prior to his tenure at Tyson Foods, he served honorably in the United States Marine Corps.

Daniel Schmitz

Director of Operations, Commercial Food Sanitation

As the Director of Operations for Commercial Food Sanitation, Dan brings strong leadership skills and technical knowledge that he developed in his 29 years in the food manufacturing industry, along with a 24-year career in the United States Air Force. Dan’s food industry experience is extensive with both USDA and FDA regulated industries.

Dan has a passion for plant operations with a focus on food safety programs. He has held plant and corporate leadership roles in operations, quality, and sanitation in some of the largest and most demanding plant environments. Dan has a talent for developing very strong teams that successfully drive culture change in food manufacturing plants. Dan’s specific knowledge includes HACCP, pathogen environmental monitoring, hygienic design of equipment and infrastructure, allergen controls, all aspects of plant sanitation, and much more.

Rachel Sheerin

Ponente principal de Burnout

Desde conferencias anuales hasta cumbres de ventas, reuniones de inicio de empresas y más, me encanta acercarme a la multitud (en persona o a través de la pantalla Zoom) y llevarlos a dar un paseo que los hará reír, aprender y cobrar para aplastar sus objetivos. Además de las cosas para llevar tangibles, mis presentaciones principales aparecen temprano y a menudo con comedia, historias reales y vulnerabilidad con la que el público se conecta de inmediato.

Como alma tipo A, vidrio medio lleno con experiencia en liderazgo de ventas, trabajo con equipos y organizaciones en capacitación y conferencias magistrales centradas en ventas, servicio y éxito que atienden a cada individuo. Profundizar en lo que motiva, inspira y sostiene a los de alto desempeño, ayudo a equipos de alto rendimiento a afinar sus habilidades y descubrir qué los motiva a ser las mejores y más auténticas versiones de sí mismos. Utilizando el conocimiento del comportamiento profesional y mezclándolo con la investigación del burnout, creo mis notas clave basadas en hechos, ciencia e historias auténticas, con la esperanza de que los asistentes puedan tener sus propios momentos personales “ah-ha” y experiencias de vinculación, me encanta romper suposiciones y reconstruir orgs con nueva conciencia, fuerza y unidad entre ellos.

Servir a grandes personas haciendo un gran trabajo es donde me encontrarás. Me siento honrado de asociarme con organizaciones, equipos y líderes que comparten la misma pasión e impulso por el éxito y la felicidad que tengo.

Stefanie Sonneveld

Consultant and Business Development Representative, SQFI

Experienced food safety professional with over 25 years in the food industry from "farm to fork" in manufacturing and food safety certification management. 

Stefanie helps organizations large and small across the supply chain to open market opportunities utilizing her in-depth knowledge of retailer requirements and GFSI benchmarked standards.

Stefanie's technical expertise and certification food safety leadership experience support the success of operations from primary production, processing and distribution through retail and food service.

Hilary S. Thesmar, PhD, RD, CFS

Director Científico y Vicepresidente Senior, Programas de Inocuidad Alimentaria, FMI

Con más de 20 años de experiencia en ciencia de alimentos, inocuidad alimentaria y política alimentaria y agrícola, el Dr. Thesmar brinda liderazgo a los miembros minoristas, mayoristas y proveedores de productos del FMI en temas científicos y técnicos como programas de capacitación en inocuidad alimentaria, estrategia regulatoria, planes y manejo de retiro, manejo de crisis, investigación y programas de salud y bienestar.

La Dra. Thesmar obtuvo un Ph.D. en Tecnología de Alimentos de la Universidad de Clemson, una Maestría en Ciencias en Nutrición Humana de la Universidad Winthrop, una licenciatura en Ciencias de los Alimentos de Clemson, y es Dietista Registrada. El Dr. Thesmar es miembro del Instituto de Tecnólogos de Alimentos, miembro activo de la Asociación Internacional de Protección de Alimentos y de la Academia de Nutrición y Dietética.

Tammie Van Buren

Gerente, Cumplimiento de SQFI, SQFI

Más de 25 años de experiencia en Control de Calidad y 10 años en la industria alimento como Practicante SQF responsable de implementar, monitorear y mantener Sistemas SQF en diversos sitios certificados como TreeHouse Foods y D&W Fine Pack.

Actualmente, SQF Compliance Manager supervisa la administración y evolución del Programa de Cumplimiento e Integridad (CIP) de SQFI utilizando datos y estadísticas.

Posee una Maestría en Ciencia e Ingeniería Tecnológica así como una Licenciatura en Matemáticas.

Gigi Vita

Director de Evaluación de Inocuidad Alimentaria y SVP, SQFI

Gigi Vita es una influencer innovadora y solucionadora de problemas con visión de futuro que actualmente es la Directora de Evaluación de Inocuidad Alimentaria y SVP del Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI). En su anterior cargo como Vicepresidenta de Ventas en SQFI, Vita supervisó toda la división de ventas de SQFI y se demostró ser un activo clave para la expansión de la organización al aumentar la cartera de SQFI en América Latina y Asia. Vita tiene un conocimiento experimentado de la industria alimento con más de 30 años de experiencia, habiendo trabajado previamente en todos los canales comerciales y liderando iniciativas de gran éxito dentro de organizaciones nacionales y globales.

Más recientemente, Vita fue Socio dentro de la Práctica de Desarrollo de Clientes de The Partnering Group, proporcionando estrategia global y consultoría de gestión general centrada en el valor sostenible para las principales empresas minoristas y de productos de consumo en todo el mundo. Vita lideró el desarrollo de negocios estratégicos y la innovación para la cooperativa lechera más grande del país, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) y ha trabajado como presidente y director de operaciones para Fonterra, Norteamérica. Vita también ocupó cargos de liderazgo sénior en otras importantes compañías de bienes de consumo envasados, incluyendo PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Kraft/Nabisco, Campbell Soup, Nestlé y Procter & Gamble. Vita tiene una licenciatura en inglés de Lafayette College en Easton, Pennsylvania.

Rod Wheeler

Founder and CEO, Global Food Defense Institute

Homeland Security, Global Food Defense and Law Enforcement expert Rod Wheeler is the founder and CEO of the Global Food Defense Institute which provides educational, training and certification programs in Food Defense and Crisis Management for the food, agricultural and chemical industries to ensure confidence and protection and to guard against intentional contamination or sabotage. He is a former “all-star” Homicide Detective with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington DC and former investigator for the State of Ohio Attorney General.  Rod has also previously served as a Senior Crime/Law Enforcement and Domestic Terrorism Expert for the Fox News Channel since 2002. Rod has assisted dozens of US-based companies in developing Global Security Plans, Vulnerability Assessments and Procedures and corresponding training programs.

Amanda Wilder

Amanda Wilder holds an M.S. in Food Science from Kansas State University and B.S. in Food Science from the University of Idaho. While attending KSU, she worked in the Food Safety and Defense Lab on pathogen intervention technologies and strategies for the produce, pet food, and meat industries. Her past experience before joining the Provision team also includes working in Food Safety, R&D, and business development roles in meat, fruit and vegetable, and pulse processing operations. As US Sales Director at Provision Analytics, she’s passionate about helping companies find and implement solutions to optimize their food safety processes.