2025 Annual Conference: Exploring new frontiers for agri-food system transformation

After studying agricultural sciences at the University of Hohenheim, Tobias spent several years as head of fruit and vegetable cultivation and sales at Sekem in Egypt. In 2007 he co- founded and lead the sustainability consultancy Soil & More Impacts focusing on agricultural advice, climate strategy and true cost accounting. In early 2022, Soil & More Impacts was taken over by the sustainable AG. Since September 2022, Tobias joined the Landbanking Group as co-founder.

Grzegorz Brodziak is President of the Management Board of the Polska Federacja Rolna (Polish Agricultural Federation). As a leading organization in the agri-food sector, the Federation provides professional consulting services. The aim of the Federation is to build social trust, protect the interests of associated business entities and solve their key problems. They represent over 1,000 farms and enterprises from the agribusiness sector employing tens of thousands of employees.

Fred Buyle is a freediver explorer and a photographer born in 1972. Since his childhood he has been in contact with the sea, spending several months a year on the family’s sailboat. At the age of 10, he discovers free diving. After years of practice, he becomes scuba diving instructor and started to teach free diving in 1991.

He sets his 1st world record in 1995 and then decides to dedicate his life to freediving. He achieves three more world records between 1997 and 2000. In 1999, Frederic passes the100m’s mythical barrier on one breath of air, being the 8th person to do so. 

In 2002, he starts underwater photography to show the beauty of freediving and the underwater world. Fred comes from an artistic background. His grand grandfather was a pioneer of photography in the 1890s, his grand father was a painter and his father an advertising and fashion photographer during the 1960s. His work shows these various influences. 

To take his pictures and videos Fred uses a simple formula: the water, available light, a camera and one breath of air, nothing more, nothing less.

A freediver is able to capture unique moments thanks to his simple equipment and ease of movement. Fred has been taking pictures down to 60m on single breath of air and on remote locations where light logistics makes all the difference.

What makes Fred’s photography different from any other underwater photography is his rather zen and minimalistic approach to this media.

Concerned by conservation and environmental issues for many years, in 2005 he starts to work with marine biologists around the world to assist them in their field work. He uses his freediving skills to approach the animals and perform tasks such as acoustic and satellite tagging or DNA sampling. Fred collaborated with international teams to provide them his practical knowledge and his extensive experience in the water with large marine life.

During these missions, Fred documents the field work to contribute to conservation on a larger scale through talks and conferences. Numerous NGO’s are using his material for their conservation campaigns.

His approach to conservation is rather practical and realistic. Impact on wildlife and carbon footprint has to be the primary concern for someone who wants to make a difference. In the 2020’s we all have to be more frugal and avoid unnecessary travel and wildlife disturbance. Sustainability must be part of conservation and media practices.

Fred’s work has been published in Apnea, Chocs, Daily Mail, Diver, Diver Japan, Dyking, L’Equipe Magazine, ESPN The Magazine, Focus, Geo, Hawaii Skin Diver, Melange, Men’s Health, National Geographic, New Look, The New York Times, Océans, Ocean Geographic, Outside, Paris Match, Plongeurs International, Der Spiegel, Thalassa, The Telegraph, the Times, Unterwasser amongst others
Corporate work for IWC Shaffausen, Hamilton Watches, Red Bull, Tahiti Tourisme, Hermes, Decathlon, Mares, Ulysse Nardin, Nikon

Ranveer is the General Manager in M365 Copilot and the Chief Technology Officer of Agri-Food at Microsoft. Previously, Dr. Chandra has held various leadership roles, including the Managing Director for Research for Industry, Chief Scientist of Microsoft Azure Global, and Head of Networking Research at Microsoft Research, Redmond.

Ranveer started the agriculture initiative at Microsoft in 2015. His work on FarmBeats became a product, Azure Data Manager for Agriculture, a platform that leverages cloud computing and AI to enable data-driven farming. Ranveer serves as the CTO of Agri-Food at Microsoft. Ranveer's research, entrepreneurship, and leadership has had a significant impact on both Microsoft products and the broader scientific community.

He has contributed to the design and implementation of Cloud and AI platforms for Industry, low-power algorithms, energy profiling tools, XBOX One wireless controller protocol, data center networks, and white space networking technologies that have enhanced the Windows, Visual Studio, XBOX, and Azure.

Ranveer has an undergraduate degree from IIT Kharagpur, India and a PhD from Cornell University.

Morgan Després is the Executive Director for international climate finance, land use and net zero macroeconomy. He is part of the wider ECF leadership team, and is in charge of supporting ECF’s work to achieve a “truly net zero” economy.

Morgan joined the ECF in July 2022 after 18 years working in the French official sector on financial stability and international and European financial regulation issues. He was notably the founding Head of the Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), and is co-author of The Green Swan, central banking and financial stability in the age of climate change.

He holds a degree from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris and a MBA from the ESSEC Business School.

Morgan lives in Berlin with his Franco-German family where he can give free rein to his passion for contemporary European history.

Harald Grethe has been Professor for Agricultural Trade and Development at Humboldt-University of Berlin since 2016. Previously, he headed the Agricultural and Food Policy Group at the University of Hohenheim.

In 2022, he founded the independent Thinktank Agora Agriculture, Berlin, which he leads together with Christine Chemnitz.

Harald Grethe chairs the Scientific Advisory Council of Thünen-Institute since 2022, has been a member of the Scientific Advisory Board on Nature Based Solutions for Mitigating Climate Change at the Federal Ministry of the Environment, Germany, since 2024 and was Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board for Agricultural Policy, Nutrition and Consumer Health Protection at the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Germany, from 2012 to 2020.

Viorel Gutu has 30 years of experience in agricultural development, enterprise restructuring, structural reforms and private business development through his involvement in the public and private sector and his implementation of international projects.

A national of the Republic of Moldova, Viorel Gutu was appointed to the post of FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia in February 2024. Prior to that he served as FAO Subregional Coordinator for Central Asia and Representative for Türkiye and Uzbekistan.

He joined FAO in 2014 as the head of the FAO Tajikistan office, leading the Country Office in establishing productive relations with the national government and key donors.

Before joining FAO, Gutu was Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry in the Republic of Moldova. In this position, he was responsible for the coordination, monitoring and evaluation of strategic policy implementation in agriculture and rural development. He also served as an economic affairs officer with the United Nations Transitional Administration in Timor-Leste, where he dealt with peacekeeping operations, poverty alleviation and the prevention of emergency situations. He holds a doctoral degree in economics.

Tassos Haniotis recently retired, after a 33-year career in the Commission, as the Director of Strategy, Simplification and Policy Analysis in the Directorate General for Agriculture of the European Commission. Tassos is Sustainable Productivity Adviser for the Forum for the Future of Agriculture and a Senior Guest Research Scholar at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. He previously held posts as Head of Unit in the Agricultural Policy Analysis and Perspectives unit and the Agricultural Trade Policy Analysis unit in the same Directorate General, as Member and subsequently Deputy Head of the Cabinet of former European Commissioner for Agriculture Franz Fischler (with respective responsibilities the preparation of the 2003 reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, and the agricultural chapter of the Doha WTO Round and the EU-Mercosur negotiations), and as the Agricultural Counsellor of the European Commission’s Delegation in the United States. He holds Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Agricultural Economics from the University of Georgia, USA, and a B.A. in Economics from the Athens University of Economics and Business, in his native Greece. Before joining the European Commission, he spent six months as a visiting Fellow at the Centre for European Agricultural Studies, Wye College, University of London, focusing on EU-US agricultural trade relations in the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations. He hold a Honorary Doctorate degree from the University of Thessaloniki. Active in the ag research community, he is a member of the International and European Associations of Ag Economics, the International Agricultural Trade Research Consortium, and the EU Nitrogen Expert Panel.

Christophe Hansen is the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food. He works on strengthening the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of the agricultural sector, following up on the recommendations from the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture in the EU.

He is responsible for:

• developing a Vision for Agriculture and Food to ensure our farming and food sector are competitive and sustainable in the long term
• making sure the future common agricultural policy is fit for purpose, provides targeted support to farmers who need it, incentivises and promotes positive environmental and societal outcomes
• fostering investment and innovation for the agri-food sector, ensuring that farmers have a fair and sufficient income and protecting them against unfair trading practices
• developing a strategy for generational renewal in agriculture, to help family farms and young farmers to access capital
• working on strengthening Europe’s food sovereignty
• addressing the specific challenges facing rural areas

Deanna Kovar is President, Worldwide Agriculture & Turf Division, Small Ag and Turf, responsible for the European, African, and Asian markets as well as for the equipment and technology solutions that provide value to small ag and turf care customers globally. She was named to the role in November 2023.

In the last decade, Kovar has been instrumental in strengthening John Deere’s position as a leader in precision agriculture technology delivering solutions to maximize value to customers. Most recently, as Vice President of Production and Precision Ag Systems, she led a global team focused on unlocking value for the agriculture industry through equipment and technology solutions that make farmers more productive, profitable, and sustainable.  

Kovar joined Deere in 2000 and spent most of her career in positions in channel and product management, where she gained a deep understanding of customers’ requirements. She has developed an extensive background in precision technologies, beginning with her move in 2010 to the company’s Intelligent Solutions Group as Manager of Portfolio Management. Later positions included Division Sales Manager, Director, Production & Precision Ag Marketing, and Director, Global Operator Stations.

Kovar grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm and earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business management from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from Loyola University in Chicago.

Jörg-Andreas Krüger was elected as NABU President for the first time on November 9, 2019 by the Federal Representatives' Meeting of NABU. He is a member of various steering committees and panels, including the German Council for Sustainable Development and the Future Commission on Agriculture.

Petra Laux is Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) at Syngenta Group, one of the world’s biggest agricultural technology companies. With over 56,000 employees in more than 90 countries, the company strives to transform agriculture with science-driven, technological innovations to deliver high productivity and high-quality food while fighting climate change and restoring nature.

As CSO, Petra leads a global team that identifies and implements sustainability priorities across the Syngenta Group organization. This encompasses both minimizing the environmental impact of Syngenta operations as well as driving the focus on technologies that help farmers to use existing farmland productively while restoring climate and nature.

Prior to joining Syngenta, Petra led the Global Public Affairs function at Novartis for over a decade. Acting as a highly respected link between business, society and the public sector, she was responsible for government relations, public policy, advocacy and reputation management, delivering impactful government affairs strategies for sustainable win-win solutions.

Francis Malige is Managing Director of Financial Institutions at the EBRD.
He leads the Bank’s investments in the financial sector, including banks and insurance companies, non-bank financial institutions and capital market infrastructure companies, across three continents.
He took up his role in August 2018.

A French national, Mr Malige joined the EBRD in February 2010 as a Director in the Financial Institutions team, where he successfully developed the Bank’s business in the Western Balkans, eastern Europe, Türkiye and, later, the southern and eastern Mediterranean region.

From 2014 to 2018, he served as Managing Director, Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, leading the Bank’s operations and policy initiatives in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Before joining the EBRD, he was Managing Director for Corporate Development at BNP Paribas, focusing on bank acquisitions. His earlier career was in accounting and consulting, at Arthur Andersen and McKinsey & Company, where he served clients in industry, high tech and construction, as well as financial services.

Mr Malige is a graduate of ESCP Europe, a French business school. In addition to his native French, he is fluent in German, Italian and English.

An astronaut, the first person to tweet from space, a recurring character on The Big Bang Theory, and now a New York Times bestselling author, Mike grew up a working class kid whose seemingly unreachable dream of becoming an astronaut and flying in space was realized in an unlikely journey that was driven by determination and commitment, and accomplished with hard work and humor. After two missions to the Hubble Telescope and four space walks to make critical repairs to the telescope, Mike is now the Senior Adviser for Space Programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, a Columbia University professor, an author, a television host, a frequent guest on morning shows, news programs, talk shows, and late night television, and an in-demand speaker for audiences seeking a unique perspective on teamwork, innovation, and leadership from a down to earth spaceman.

Mike shares with audiences personal stories of inspiration, innovation, teamwork and leadership as drawn from his experiences in one of the greatest and most dangerous jobs someone can have—NASA astronaut. Through humor and storytelling, he highlights the pursuit and achievement of a childhood dream, the dedication and teamwork necessary to train for one of NASA’s most difficult space missions, the determination needed to face tragedies like the Columbia space shuttle accident, and the innovation and leadership necessary to overcome seemingly insurmountable trials when in space and beyond. He leaves his audiences understanding the value of having passion for what you do, of perseverance in achieving a goal, of building a team to meet great challenges, and of creativity and innovation in problem solving. He also inspires audiences with the awe and beauty of space and shares his thoughts on the future—both personal and in regard to the ever-changing and competitive space program.

Mairead McGuinness has spent over 20 years working in the EU Institutions. In December 2024, she completed her term as the European Commissioner for financial services, financial stability and Capital Markets Union. Her focus was on ensuring the strength and stability of the financial sector, so that it can deliver for people, society and the economy. She also prioritised financial wellbeing and financial literacy. Before joining the Commission in October 2020, Ms McGuinness was First Vice-President of the European Parliament. She served as an MEP from Ireland for 16 years. In 2024, Ms. McGuinness was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science by University College Dublin (UCD), in recognition of her outstanding achievements as a member of the EU Commission and her contributions to the Agri-Food sector in Ireland and the European Union. Prior to becoming an MEP, she was an award-winning journalist, broadcaster and commentator for 24 years.

Experienced in the fields of policy research, editing, communications, and project management, Katie McRobert has been part of the Australian Farm Institute team since late 2017, holding roles as Senior Researcher and General Manager before becoming Executive Director in April 2024. Prior to joining AFI, Katie worked as a global Content and Community Manager for Rabobank, liaising with farming clients to build knowledge banks, and as the National Editor for FarmOnline. Katie has an MBA from Griffith University specialising in Sustainable Business. She is currently Chair of the CSIRO Drought Resilience Mission Advisory Group, and a member of the Australian Agricultural Traceability Governance Group, the CSIRO Agriculture & Food external advisory group, and the NSW Farm Writers Committee. At the AFI, Katie’s role gives her the opportunity to deep dive into evidence-based policy research focused on the sustainability of agrifood systems – work she feels proud and privileged to be part of.

Bio to follow

Jean-Marc Peterschmitt is Managing Director for the Corporate Sector, Banking Department, leading the Bank's activities with corporate clients across all Countries of Operations, working with five Directors responsible for Manufacturing and Services, Food and Agribusiness, Real Estate, Telecommunications, Media and Technology, and Natural Resources sectors.

As Chief Operating Officer for the Client Services Group, Mr Peterschmitt supports the EBRD First Vice President in the design, execution and supervision of relevant managerial and business issues across the Client Services Group (Banking and Policy and Partnerships).

He joined the EBRD in London in 1992. He became Country Head for Bulgaria in 1998, based in Sofia, Director for the Western Balkans in 2001, before joining the Financial Institutions group as Director in 2004. In 2011, Mr Peterschmitt became Managing Director for Central and South-Eastern Europe, responsible for leading the Bank’s operations in 17 countries in this region. He took on the role of Managing Director for the Corporate Sector in 2016. In 2022 he also served as interim Managing Director for Corporate Strategy and member of the Executive Committee, responsible for formulating the Bank’s corporate strategy and leading on cross-departmental special initiatives.

Before joining the EBRD, Mr Peterschmitt worked at the French Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

A French national, Mr Peterschmitt has an Engineering Master’s degree from AgroParisTech and an MBA from INSEAD.

Dr Janez Potočnik graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. After a successful career starting in 1989 in Slovenia as a researcher at the Institute of Economic Research, Director of the Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development (1994), he was appointed Head of the Negotiating Team for the Accession of Slovenia to the EU (1998). He was also Director of Government Office for European Affairs (2000), Minister Councillor at the Office of the Prime Minister (2001) and Minister responsible for European Affairs (2002). In 2004 he joined the European Commission, first as "shadow Commissioner for Enlargement and then as Commissioner responsible for Science and Research. In 2010 Dr Potočnik became Commissioner for Environment. His term ended in November 2014 and he was appointed as a Co-Chair of UN Environment International Resource Panel and was also appointed as a Chairman of The Forum for the Future of Agriculture and RISE Foundation and a Member of the European Policy Centre's Advisory Council. From April 2016 he is also the Partner in SYSTEMIQ. More information Twitter – @JanezPotocnik22 Facebook – potocnikjanez LinkedIn - janez-potocnik-872470a7

Luís Rua has been Secretary of Trade and International Relations at the Ministry of Agriculture since 2024. Previously, he was Director of Markets at the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA) and held leadership positions at BRF S.A., among other experiences in the private and public sectors. With over 15 years of experience in agribusiness, he specializes in global protein markets, trade negotiations, the geopolitics of food, international corporate, and institutional relations.

Felipe Ortega Schlingmann is Head of Division in the Bioeconomy Division within the Projects Directorate of the European Investment Bank. This Division is responsible to provide support to the operational units in the technical, economic, environmental and social due diligence of the investment proposals. It also defines the sectorial lending strategies and policies and establishes the financing eligibilities in the sectors relevant for the Division based on the Banks priority lending objectives.

Felipe Ortega, a Spanish and German, national studied Agricultural Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Madrid. He holds a Ph.D in Agronomy by the University of Bonn and an MBA by IESE-Universidad de Navarra. Before joining the EIB, Felipe Ortega worked for more than 15 years in agricultural, microbiological and chemical research, development and innovation both in the public and the private sector. He served in several positions overseeing and managing technical activities at E.I. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. in its Agricultural Products Division.

Alberto Arroyo Schnell is Head of Programme and Policy at the European Regional Office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). He has been in leading positions on EU environmental policy during the past two decades. His current focus includes working together with the key sectors related to / impacted by / benefiting from biodiversity and nature, aiming to find ways to achieve the environmental targets jointly and to ensure ownership of these targets by all stakeholders. He has a background in Forestry Engineering.

More information
Website – www.iucn.org
Twitter – @IUCNBrussels
Facebook – iucnbrussels
LinkedIn – alberto-arroyo-schnel

Jurgen Tack studied biology (marine ecology) at Brussels Free University where he also obtained his PhD in Sciences. Within the Framework of the Kenya Belgium Project in Marine Sciences (Coastal Farms Kenya) he developed a number of oyster farms along the Kenyan coast. In 2000 he joined the team of the Belgian Biodiversity Platform (Belgian Science Policy Office) where he was responsible for European and international science policy in the field of biodiversity and biodiversity related research. In 2007 he became the CEO of the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (a research organization under the umbrella of the Flemish Authority). In 2015 he became Secretary-General of the National Science Foundation (Flanders) In 2016 he took the position of Scientific Director at the European Landowners’ Organization (ELO), CEO at Landelijk Vlaanderen (Flemish Landowners’ Organisation) and CEO of the Aanspreekpunt Privaat Beheer Natuur en Bos (an advisory organ for private landowners on the management of nature and forest). In 2023 he became Secretary-General of the European Landowners Organisation (ELO). He coordinates several EU projects on private land conservation. On behalf of ELO he chairs the European Commission’s Large Carnivore Platform and acts as expert for the EU Biodiversity Platform and the EU Expert Group on Cultural Heritage.

Roman leads Indigo’s sustainable agriculture programs, including Carbon and sustainable grain (scope 3) solutions, and their scale-up through strategic partnerships. He spent over three decades bringing science-based innovation to markets in agriculture, life sciences and materials research, and has worked in general management and senior leadership roles across Europe, North and South America, and Africa/Middle East.

Bart Vandewaetere has been serving as the Vice-President for ESG Engagement at Nestlé Zone Europe since 2017. He plays a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the company's ESG commitments. With a deep commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility, Bart leads and coordinates Nestlé’s efforts in the region by engaging with policymakers, stakeholders, communities and citizens.

Noor provides strategic leadership and furthers The Nature Conservancy’s work through engagement with policymakers and institutions in Europe. Her team focuses on policies and funding initiatives that provide conservation opportunities and impact TNC’s global mission to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends.

TNC recognises the world-leading, environmental policy leadership of the European Union and European governments and wants to support the institutions to promote best-practice policies around the world.

Noor is a member of the EU Commission's Biodiversity Platform and brings more than 20 years of policy and government engagement experience, working across a range of climate, energy and environmental policy issues at European and international levels—for both the private sector and civil society. Her career has been characterised by her strong focus on advocating for increasingly ambitious climate and sustainability policies, building bridges between business and civil society and finding policy solutions to complex challenges.

For example, she played an instrumental role transforming the European chemical industry’s approach to climate and environment policy advocacy. She then led a large team of sustainability, advocacy and communications professionals at the industry association, Cefic, to operationalise its support for the EU Green Deal, Climate Law, Circular Economy and Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.

Noor is married with two children, is based in Brussels, Belgium, and was recognised by Politico Europe in its “Women Who Shape Brussels 2020” list.