Pedro Giocondo Guerra holds multiple degrees in law and public administration and has specialised training in administrative law, public-private partnerships and international investments. Experienced in legal consulting, academic research and public management, he has worked in law firms; as a researcher on government control, public policies and decisions of Brazil’s Supreme Court; and in the São Paulo public sector. Pedro has extensive experience on the fiscal councils of state-owned and environmental companies. Since 2023, he has held positions of high trust in the Federal Government and is also Chairman of the Fiscal Council of Brazil’s National Development Bank (BNDES).
Chen Xiaoting brings a wealth of expertise to the UK-based foundation’s Beijing office, where she leads their plastic initiative as well as policy and climate work in China. With a PhD in sustainability economy from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Chen has over 17 years’ invaluable experience across the public and private sectors, specialising in public policy, international environmental and climate governance as well as cross-sector collaboration.
Read full bio
Eric Ruzigamanzi
Program Manager, Circular Food Systems
World Resources Insitute (WRI)
Eric is the country representative for the WRI in Rwanda and leads the country’s circular food systems initiative. He has over a decade of experience in climate finance, sustainable development and policy engagement across Rwanda and beyond. In his current role, he leads strategic partnerships and supports national efforts to integrate climate and circular economy approaches into development planning. He also works with MSMEs to embed circular economy principles into their business models. Eric holds a master’s in sustainability and circular bioeconomy and is passionate about inclusive, systems-based solutions for climate resilience and green growth.
Read full bio
Chris Whyte
Business Development Advisor
African Circular Economy Network (ACEN)
Chris’ vision is to drive a just transition to a circular economy for Africa, addressing sustainable impacts and outcomes in energy, water, agriculture, infrastructure, mining, manufacturing and tourism that result in positive benefits for the environment and social upliftment. He founded USE-IT (2009-2020), resulting in thousands of jobs created and 18 national and global awards. Chris was previously executive director of ACEN and is co-founder of the ACEN Foundation (rebranded to Africa Circular) based in Europe. He is also a director of several commercial companies across Africa developing profitable circular economy projects.
Read full bio
Vong Sok
Assistant Director and Head of Environment Division
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat
Vong Sok is a passionate and dedicated environmental professional with over 20 years’ environmental compliance and governance experience, including in-depth knowledge of strategic environmental planning, diplomacy and management systems. At ASEAN’s sustainable development directorate’s socio-cultural community department, he works extensively on environmental management in Southeast Asia, in close collaboration with government agencies, international organisations, development partners, civil society organisations (CSOs) and communities. This has empowered him with the necessary resources to oversee strategic initiatives, resulting in significant impacts and contributions to this region and beyond.
Read full bio
Luiz Fernando Krieger Merico
Economic Affairs Officer
UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
Luiz is a geologist with a master’s in environmental analysis and a PhD in geography. He was a researcher and teacher of resource economics for more than 10 years in southern Brazil. Luiz has 12 years’ experience in Brazilian public environmental management, from local to national level. He was coordinator of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for Brazil and senior adviser in climate change and biodiversity of the Stockholm Resilience Centre in Sweden. At the UN since 2016, he has been coordinating international cooperation activities in many countries on a circular and low carbon economy and nature-based solutions.
Read full bio
Tuuli Hietaniemi
Senior Lead, Programmes
Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund
Tuuli helps Finnish society to find solutions to the most difficult problems of our time. She has more than 15 years’ experience in making societal change happen. At Sitra, Tuuli has worked in different positions related to promoting ecological sustainability. She holds a master’s in social sciences and is infinitely interested in how societies can flourish within the limits of nature’s carrying capacity.
Katharina leads ACEN’s strategic programmes and operations and has a key role in further operationalising ACEN to grow the success of the network. She is a circular economy consultant working across sectors to accelerate the circular transition in Africa. A specialist in multi-sector collaboration, convening stakeholders and project management, her work with ACEN is aimed at activating collective intelligence in the circular economy. Working with national governments, diplomatic missions, NGOs and the private sector, she is a vocal advocate for the role of a just circular economy transition in Africa.
Read full bio
Victoria Flores
Minister of Environment and Circular Economy
Province of Córdoba
Victoria Flores, a lawyer with a degree from the National University of Córdoba and a master's in administrative law, served as a councilor for the City of Córdoba (2015-2019). In 2019, she took office as president of the Córdoba Works and Services (COyS) agency where she initiated the city’s circular economy work on recycling and the use of waste as raw material. Since December 2023, she has served in her current post, expanding the circular economy and sustainable development model throughout the province, including the strategies for the care of the 30 protected natural areas and the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity.
Read full bio
Josué Christiano Gomes da Silva
President
Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP)
In addition to his position at FIESP, Josué Gomes is also the president of Coteminas, a leading bed and bath company with industrial units in several countries through the American continents. In addition, he is the 1st vice-president of the Center of Industries of the State of São Paulo (CIESP) and chairman emeritus of the Brazilian Textile Industries Association (ABIT). Beyond his industrial activities he is a member of the Owen School Corporate Council of Vanderbilt University and of the board of the Child Cancer Treatment Institute of São Paulo (ITACI).
