Luisa joined the foundation in 2015 to establish the Latin American office. She has been advancing the circular economy and sustainability transitions for over 15 years, specialising in regenerative systems, circular design and nature-positive solutions, with a particular focus on the role of the Global South in the circular economy transition. Her work bridges policy, innovation and collaboration to align economic growth with ecological restoration and societal benefits. Previously, she worked as a sustainability strategist and trusted advisor to businesses and governments. She holds a master’s in sustainable development, an academic degree in environmental management and a bachelor’s in communication.
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Nelson Pereira dos Reis
Vice President
Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP)
Nelson Pereira dos Reis leads the sustainable development department of FIESP and the Center of Industries of the State of São Paulo (CIESP). He is also the president of the Union of Chemical Products for Industrial Purposes and Petrochemicals of the State of São Paulo. In his journey as an executive working to conciliate the competitiveness of the industry with the improvement of environmental quality and social well-being, he presided over Copebrás and Anglo American's operations in Brazil and was executive president of the Brazilian Chemical Industry Association.
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Liza Kengran
Bioeconomy Youth Champion
International Advisory Council on Global Bioeconomy (IACGB)
Liza is a food security advocate and agricultural engineer. She has an extensive experience in developing and managing sustainable food systems, and is a sustainable food systems curriculum manager at the Kings Foundation. Liza has worked with organisations like the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and various institutions in Cameroon, driving innovative solutions and promoting food security through hands-on education and research. Her expertise spans multiple areas of food systems, from food preservation to sustainable farming practices and youth involvements.
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Tim Forslund
Senior Lead, International Programmes
Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund
Tim works with Sitra’s international projects, and he spends most of his time with the European Union Circular Economy Resource Centre and its Policy Lab. Almost anything circular is close to his heart, including a multitude of international circular economy initiatives – not least in the Global South – road maps, policy design and implementation, circular bioeconomy business models, development, trade and EU policy. Before joining Sitra, Tim worked at the Embassy of Sweden in Beijing and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. He studied the circular economy, environmental management and policy and languages in Stockholm, Lund, Montreal, Rock Island and Beijing.
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Henry Roman
Regional Representative: Southern Africa
International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
Henry Roman is a principal researcher in the Integrated Circular Economy Transformation Research Group at IWMI and chair of the board of the Sustainable Seas Trust. Roman initiated the development of the science, technology and innovation points for the circular economy strategy for South Africa, which has been approved for implementation. He obtained his PhD in environmental biotechnology in 2005 from Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.
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Flávio de Miranda Ribeiro
Circular Economy Expert
Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial São Paulo (SENAI-SP)
Flávio is a consultant and researcher in the circular economy, EPR, waste management, cleaner production, LCA, and corporate environmental regulations, as well as an advisor to the UN Global Compact and ambassador of Movimento Circular. He has a background in mechanical engineering, with an MBA, a master’s and a PhD in environmental studies, and has 20 years’ experience at São Paulo State Environmental Agency (CETESB). Flavio has worked as a consultant for international organisations (such as UNEP and OECD), industry associations (such as FIESP, SENAI and CNI), global and local businesses and governments. He is a professor at Santos Catholic University and also lectures at other institutions. He has authored a textbook on the circular economy and has an extensive publication record.
Fernando is a biologist with a master’s in environmental engineering from the University of São Paulo. He is a board member of the Green Chamber of Commerce in Colombia. He has gained international experience through aquaculture consultancy with the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), circular water economy projects with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and conservation initiatives with The Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar). He is an international speaker on topics such as circular water management, bioprospecting, biomimicry, ecological restoration, blue carbon, nature-based solutions and climate change adaptation. His expertise includes sustainable development, environmental risk analysis, monitoring and ecological modelling with a focus on water and hydrobiological resource management, as well as environmental certifications such as ISO 14000, LEED, BMP, ASC and Global GAP. Heis renowned for his creativity, disruptive thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, leadership and social sensitivity.
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Severino Lima Junior
President
International Alliance of Waste Pickers (IAWP)
Severino Lima Junior is a prominent Brazilian waste picker leader and founder of ASCAMAR (1999) and COOCAMAR (2007), waste pickers' organisations in Brazil. He is also associated with the Brazil-based waste picker organisation UNICATADORES, an affiliate of the IAWP. He is currently serving as the first President of IAWP. He is well versed in public policies on waste management, cooperatives, climate change and plastics pollution. IAWP is supported by WIEGO.
Matija Kajić is a sustainability specialist, focusing on topics related to the circular economy and resource conservation. She obtained her PhD at Utrecht University on the topic of legislative barriers to the circularity of biological materials in the EU. Her research background covers legal and institutional challenges related to a variety of topics, including renewable energy, biomimicry and circular R-strategies. Employment outside of academia, at Triodos Bank and in the maritime sector, have diversified her professional interests to include the transport sector, as well as the role financial institutions play in driving transitions forward.
Mari Granström is the founder and chief executive activist of a company transforming invasive algae into biobased and biodegradable chemicals to replace oil-based products. With a background as an industrial chemist and environmentalist, DrGranström is on a mission to transform our approach to oceans and their ecosystems through a regenerative value chain that benefits both the environment and the economy. Her unique blend of scientific knowledge and business acumen has positioned her as a leading voice in the field of sustainable business models. She is also an advocate for global environmental policies, participating in initiatives such as the UN Global Compact and the EU Green Deal.
