Rinaldo Mancin is an engineer with a master's in sustainable development from the University of Brasilia (UnB) and an MBA in economics, management and government relations from Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV). He has extensive experience in environment and sustainability topics, having collaborated with the federal government, international organisations and the private sector. He currently represents IBRAM at the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), based in London, where he sits on the board of directors.
Etienne Kechichian has over a decade of experience advancing the circular economy, bioeconomy and eco-industrial parks (EIPs) globally. He has played a key role in developing and promoting sustainable, climate-friendly industrial policies that enhance competitiveness while minimising environmental impact. A co-author of the internationally recognised "International Framework for Eco-Industrial Parks," Kechichian has collaborated with UNIDO and GIZ to establish performance criteria for EIPs. He has also helped develop the World Bank’s approach to the bioeconomy and circular economy. Prior to this, he focused on special economic zones at the International Finance Corporation, advising on regulatory frameworks to attract private investment.
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Jamie Fergusson
Global Director, Climate Business
International Finance Corporation (IFC, a member of the World Bank Group)
Jamie is responsible for IFC’s climate strategy and policies, targetting to make all investments Paris-aligned and 45% of its investments climate positive. Jamie joined the corporation in 2005 and has led and contributed to innovation and new business growth across IFC’s investment, advisory and support operations. Prior roles include chief investment officer leading IFC’s global renewable energy investment practice, director of environmental and social risk and policy, and director of strategic business development. Jamie has a BA and MA in zoology from Cambridge University, UK, and an MBA and a master’s in environmental economics and policy from Yale University, USA.
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Bernard Crabbé
Head of Sector Environment & Circular economy
European Commission
Bernard Crabbé leads the work on circular economy, environment mainstreaming and natural resources at the Directorate General for International Partnerships. A bio-engineer by training, with a specialisation in tropical agronomy and environment, Bernard has worked for more than 25 years on international cooperation, including 17 years as project manager in Mali, Laos, Madagascar, Ecuador and Uganda. He has worked successively for the United Nations, as an adviser for the Belgian secretary of state for development cooperation, as counsellor for the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, since 2008, for the European Commission.
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Manisha Anantharaman
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Centre for the Sociology of Organisations (Sciences Po)
Manisha Anantharaman is an associate fellow at Chatham House’s Environment and Society Centre. Her critical and interdisciplinary research explores inequality and justice in sustainable transitions. She has published two books connecting environmental justice, sustainability and development, “Recycling Class: The contradictions of inclusion in urban sustainability” (MIT Press, 2024) and a co-edited the volume “The Circular Economy and the Global South” (Routledge, UK, 2019). Manisha holds a PhD from the University of California Berkeley’s department of environmental science policy and management.
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Anis Nassar
Lead, Resource Circularity
World Economic Forum (WEF)
Anis is an economist with a specialisation in resource economics and behavioural economics. He leads the portfolio of activities on the circular economy of the World Economic Forum.
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.
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Silvia Solano
Regional Lead Latin America, Green and Resilient Buildings Program
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Silvia is an architect with a master’s in natural resources management. With over 15 years’ experience in the construction market, she has honed her expertise across Latin America. She is a leader of the Green Building Market Transformation Program (GBMTP) in Latin America, responsible for strategy and implementation of the programme in Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Brazil. Experienced in green buildings and EDGE certification, she engages with private sector developers, industry associations, financial institutions, government and international cooperation agencies. Her focus on decarbonising the built environment and promoting the expansion of green and resilient buildings underscores her commitment to sustainable development.
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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.
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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.
