Katia Merten-Lentz, founder and managing partner of the law firm “Food Law Science & Partners”, has been for more than 25 years, a leading lawyer in European food and feed law (first-tier ranked in the category Agro/Food—Europe-Wide by Chambers and The Legal 500 and nominated as best food
lawyer by the European Legal Awards in 2024).

Her practice also extends to Agri-Tech/Food-Tech and Environmental Law. She is one of the few lawyers assisting clients from A to Z in the food and feed area obtaining
European authorization for new additives, enzymes, novel foods and accompanying them with issues ranging from marketing (labeling and claims) to management of food crisis.
But her main focus is on innovation thanks to her strong scientific internal support. She is therefore regularly asked to mentor start-ups and participates in incubators ‘programs.

She has degrees in EU competition law and corporate/business law and speaks fluent French and English.

 Yulia Karasevych is the director of the IPS Group of Companies LLC (Ozeryanka Grain Mill, Zernovyta Trading House, Zerno Zhyttya Pasta Factory).

For over 16 years, she has been leading businesses in production and distribution, transforming companies through strategic development, financial leadership, and efficiency improvement.

She is a certified Lean Black Belt, implementing the philosophy of lean production, creating sustainable and innovative business models. Yulia has successful experience in working with global brands (Colgate, Schwarzkopf, Henkel, Reckitt Benckiser, Biosphere), as well as launching new product lines
and building strong teams.

She is a graduate of the Berkeley Food Accelerator (UC Berkeley, Haas School of Business), which emphasizes my focus on innovation and global approaches in the development of the food industry.

Director of International Trade, SENCO UKRAINE LLC.

They specialize in producing Ukrainian food products – from natural apple chips, honey, and plant oils to other goods for export. Their mission is to showcase the strength, resilience, and quality of Ukrainian products to the world.

But above all – their focus is on people. Senco Ukraine provide jobs for veterans and people with disabilities. We give them not only employment but also a sense of dignity, purpose, and belonging. For Mariia, this is not just work – it’s her social
mission.

Their business operates under extremely difficult conditions – close to the frontline. Several of their facilities have already been destroyed by shelling. But they didn’t give
up. They rebuilt, restarted production, and continued to move forward.
Today, their products are entering international markets. They represent Ukraine at global exhibitions, connect with partners, and prove that even during war, Ukrainian business can remain competitive, innovative, and strong.

Mariia believes that herwork is a contribution to a stronger Ukraine – She is proud to be part of a community that never gives up, even when the odds are against them.

Valentyna Liashenko is a Project Manager in international cooperation at the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. She has over eight years of experience in developing and managing projects that support Ukrainian exporters in entering international markets.

Her expertise includes sourcing reliable Ukrainian suppliers for foreign retailers and facilitating effective communication between international buyers and Ukrainian companies. She has coordinated numerous successful export cases, particularly in the Scandinavian region. Valentina also provides strategic mentoring to SMEs, helping them strengthen their competitiveness abroad. She is actively engaged in international trade fairs and initiatives that promote Ukraine’s economic integration into global markets.

Veronica works within Axfoundation’s Future Food program, focusing on projects connected to Torsåker farm – a test farm and practical hub for sustainable food systems. She is Food Agronomist with a PhD in Food Science, specializing in bioavailability and has also studied environmental communication in Sweden and Brazil.

With nearly 15 years at the Swedish Food Agency, she has broad experience of policy work at national and international level. She is a member of the OECD Food Chain Analytical Network and serves as a reviewer for Formas, the Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development. Her broad expertise combines science, policy, and hands-on work, with a strong focus on promoting sustainable and transparent food systems.

Simon Hilmersson is Head of Business Development at Nordic SeaFarm, a Swedish pioneer making seaweed truly available to future-proof industries.

By unlocking seaweed’s potential as a sustainable, nutritious, and climate-positive resource, Nordic SeaFarm works to accelerate the shift toward a resilient and circular future.

Per Styregård & Ami Hovstadius from Circular Gastronomy.

Circular Gastronomy supports ideas and initiatives that contribute to gastronomic diversity and the transition to a healthier food system. Through the Circular Gastronomy Challenge, we select a number of smart, sustainable ideas each year and help their creators bring them to life. The support, which is aimed at the restaurant, bar, bakery, and café industry, extends over the period of one year and is tailored to each of the winning ideas.”

Ami Hovstadius, Co-founder & CEO @circulargastronomy. Previously CEO of @visitsweden UK. Program director for Sweden – The New Culinary Nation & @tryswedish.

Per Styregård, Co-founder & Jury chair @circulargastronomy. Columnist @diweekend. Food editor @iconmagazinese. Academy Chair @theworlds50best

Ted Wendt is the Executive Director of Ekomatcentrum, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing sustainable and organic food in public meals and procurement.

With a background in the foodservice industry and a published scientific article on circular restaurants, he combines practical experience with research-based insights.

Ted is passionate about turning sustainability goals into measurable results and works closely with municipalities and regions to strengthen their commitment to climate-smart food through benchmarking, education, and collaboration.

Caroline Agrillo is a PhD student in Environmental Toxicology at Uppsala University. Her research focuses on how chemicals in our environment, such as pesticides and plastic additives, can affect human health. She is particularly interested in endocrine-disrupting substances and other environmental factors that influence our daily lives.

She is deeply interested in how synthetic chemicals affect human health and is passionate about contributing to a safer future for the next generations.

With a background in Environmental Science and Environmental Toxicology, Caroline aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of how we can reduce the risks associated with chemical exposure. She sees research as an important tool for creating safer conditions for both people and nature, and places great importance on engaging in dialogue beyond the academic world.