Spiros has been providing prescient and pioneering insights on the evolution, branding and innovation within the global alcoholic drinks industry for the past decade. One of the first analysts to highlight the parallels, opportunities and pitfalls for the nascent cannabis market and its intersection with other FMCG industries.
A key author in Drinks Business Magazine, a sought after contributor in Just Drinks and Drinks International as well as the contact of choice for Bloomberg, the BBC, the Independent , the Financial Times, Reuters, TIME, the WSJ, CNBC and countless other media outlets. A regular keynote speaker in some of the industry’s most high profile conferences, Spiros is a firm believer in irreverent, opinionated and independent analysis.
A flavorist for over 30 years, with more than 18 of those at IFF, Julie specialises in beverages. She is passionate about food and drink and will travel great distances, just based on rumours of good things to eat and drink (preferably both!). Julie is an enthusiastic and experimental cook, who enjoys dabbling in fermentation and has a tendency to obsession, particularly when it comes to sourdough.
Nick is an expert in developing all kinds of beverages, with 19 amazing years at IFF focusing on no, low and full-strength alcoholic products.
Nick has a passion for fermentation and enjoys cider-making with his home-grown apples!
After completing his PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology, Nejc spent several years working in chemistry and biopharamaceutical companies. This experience has helped him in developing innovative color products and fully support the color technical team. He is an amateur photographer, a passionate home chef and a lover of nature and the environment - a set of hobbies which nicely facilitate his passion for the natural colors business.
Medea recently completed her Master’s Degree in Chemical Technology, while working in the color laboratory at IFF Slovenia. She is highly creative and enthusiastic and loves baking. Medea mostly cooks with home-grown food and is currently finalizing a personal project, a “home balcony garden”.
Kristina is a researcher by heart and, as she loves to say, "fortunately also by profession". She holds a PhD in Molecular Biology and is passionate about the links in between food and health. Kristina ran an academic career before joining IFF, but is now working in our color group, adding her special touch to our developments.
Vita has a Master’s Degree in Chemistry. She started her career as researcher in a natural cosmetic and food supplements company, but her curiosity led her to a career in world of natural colors at IFF.
She loves the mountains, where she discovers how rich life can be in such pure nature. She finds nature an inspiration for creativity and personal development.
Edita has a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering. Her 14 years of professional experience has been gained in various fields, ranging from R&D, to production, and product management. She combined her experience with a love of creative cooking and implemented it in the IFF’s color application laboratory. She is mother of two kids, a passionate gardener and she loves adventure trips with her family. Her life is as colourful as her job!
Viktorija is a studying for a Master’s Degree, working in our Natural Center for over six months. She loves playing with the natural colors scheme and learning new techniques in R&D and applications. Viktorija is passionate about sports. She frequently enjoys nature when hiking and running.
After graduating her PhD in Chemical engineering, Maša started at Vitiva (now IFF) as a researcher and later as R&D manager on extractions and different technological processing capabilities with natural sources. Currently she is leading the team in the Excellence Center for IFF Natural Colors in Slovenia. She is in passionate about nature, animals and different sports. Maša loves to travel and explore new cultures. Since being a vegetarian from a very early age, she is a master in creating veggie dishes, where she combines heath, taste and joy.
Beau, discovered her passion for botanical extracts at an early age, trying all recourses to relieve her allergy symptoms.
In her job as trade marketing manager at IFF Health she is able to combine this passion with her love for (interior) design while creating new marketing material and hosting inspiring events.
Rachel has a number of years of experience as a professional NCTJ-qualified journalist in both print and online media, writing across food and beverage publications. Her remit on BeverageDaily covers the global alcohol and non-alcohol industry: including market trends, regulations, R&D, innovation, processing and packaging and ingredients. Alongside her role as editor, she also moderates events at industry conferences.
Daniel is The Grocer’s food and drink editor and is responsible for their product coverage across all FMCG categories. Daniel has written about food and drink for the majority of his career: prior to joining The Grocer in 2017, he covered food and drink news on pub industry title The Morning Advertiser, and wrote features for VICE magazine.
Katy is a business journalist who has written about the global food industry for more than a decade. Her areas of interest include market trends, sustainability issues, innovation as well as diet and health. She watches the development of plant-based with interest.
With 18+ years’ experience in tracking health and wellness, sustainability and e-commerce trends, Ewa offers a unique perspective and expertise on the marketplace and its growth opportunities. Ewa spends most days developing data platforms and market insights to inform business strategies.
Turner is a social entrepreneur focused on climate change via food waste prevention. He is the Co-founder and CEO of the Upcycled Food Association, which aims to prevent food waste by growing the upcycled food economy. He loves to spend his days off skiing, running, and climbing in Crested Butte, Colorado.
After completing her PhD in Medical Sciences, Laetitia started at IFF Health where she provides technical and scientific support of branded botanical extracts.
She is an avid photographer, a passionate home chef, and enjoys exploring the various health benefits of plants, with which she often experiments on herself!
With social psychology in her background and driven by curiosity why people behave the way they do, Aksana brings understanding of what consumers need and how we can design meaningful and relevant products for them. In her spare time, you can find Aksana enjoying outdoors with her daughter Illyana, spending time with family and friends, dancing and reading.
Martin specialises in identifying opportunities in the Spirits and Wines category.
He follows and analyses trends which have an impact on spirits, wines and beer, and regularly writes Mintel articles on this topic for brand owners in both Europe and the US. Martin has recently published an industry report on “The Future of Wine, Spirits and RTDs 2021” identifying opportunities for the category over the next two years and for five years and beyond. Prior to joining Mintel, he spent three years running his own consultancy working on a variety of drinks clients including Britvic and the CIVC (Comité Interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne). Martin also spent 10 years working at Unilever Foods PLC in Senior Global and European Consumer Insight Manager roles.
Caroline started her journey as a flavorist 33 years ago and has belonged to the IFF team for almost her entire career. She is based in the IFF research & development center in Hilversum, The Netherlands. As she shares a great love for food & beverages and international exchange, she feels fortunate to be part of this exciting and innovative industry where there's never a dull moment. Especially fascinating for the Dutch-Native, is the beverage segment and its fast developments. Seeing the current evolution in no and low alcohol drinks intrigues her the most.
Passionate about smell and taste, Sjors started his career in the flavor industry 17 years ago after having received his MSc degree in Biotechnology. Being trained as a cross-category, he jumped on beverages as one of the most innovative categories in the flavor world. At IFF he brings relevant innovation to market to make our customers win with their consumers. In his free time he enjoys singing in his band and going for long runs in nature.
Claudia Streaten can look back on a 146-year-long family tradition in the wine business. After the sudden death of her father in 1984, the 24-year-old took over her parents' wine shop in Kempen, Germany as a fourth-generation wine merchant. After a complete restructuring of the business, including the closing of the own production, Claudia decided to expand the wine trade's range. Her clear plan to build up a comprehensive expertise and create a holistic experience around wine paid off. Today, she offers wine tastings in different event locations, like a private wine cellar or a rooftop terrace and her product range includes more than 500 national and international wines. As Claudia takes courageous business decisions and tries out new taste experiences, she expanded her portfolio recently with alcohol-free wine & sparkling wine options.
Jens is a passionate, international master brewer, who enjoys homebrewing (when time permits!). His latest collaborative project, “Naked Gold”, was launched this year. In addition to brewing, Jens authored a book, “The Naked Beer – the book about pilsner”, which is soon to be translated into English.
A keen gourmet cook, he is a member of the Danish Academy of Gastronomy and grows his own herbs and hops in his garden. Jens is married and has four children. He enjoys keeping fit by kayaking, jogging, skiing and swimming.
Citizen of the world and passionate about technical sales and customers, Duska is inspired by innovation and on a constant quest for “what is the next thing that we can do”. With more than 25 years of international experience in various fields of the food industry, she has been in scientific and commercial roles alike .
Addicted to the sun and the sea, Duska likes running, swimming, and exercising. She loves nature and animals and in her spare time she enjoys gardening and connecting with pets and birds. Duska is an avid traveller and loves exploring the history and cultures of the world. She loves to cook and taste good wine, as well as singing loudly while driving!
Having lived in 4 countries, Fatemeh knows what it means to have to pack up, start over, and create a new life, with Netherlands being her current home. She graduated some years ago with a Master's Degree in Food & Nutrition and still gets amazed by magics of taste science. Her passions are traveling, cultures, food, nature and any sports which can be done in/around water. During Covid times, she started exploring with fermentation, including daily rituals of feeding Dowie the sour dough!
In her day job, she leads the technical team responsible for the Nordics & Benelux region.
Charlotte started her journey in the beverage world 17 years ago with her first internship as part of her Master degree in Food Science. This is when her passion for Sensory & Consumer science and for the beverage industry really kicked-off. Charlotte has worked in different countries around the globe and loves travelling and uses all those experiences as inspirations when generating meaningful consumer centric concepts.
A passionate story teller, Jackie combines an in-depth knowledge of ‘everything flavor’ at IFF together with a finger on the pulse of cross-category food and drink trends to create inspiring product concepts for our customers.
3 years with IFF and a lifetime of beverage obsession! Julia uses her experience developing in the beverage and dairy categories to bring to life innovative customer focused concepts. She regularly takes inspiration from visiting local markets and pop-up events.
Enthusiastic about all categories of beverage; Sarah brings 11 years of experience at IFF delivering creative solutions to our customers Sarah often gains inspiration from the garden, growing her own garnishes for drinks.
Victoria was born in Brazil, but her soul belongs to the world. She loves to travel and to cook! She says, "I'm lucky enough to work with cacao and have the opportunity to use my creativity exploring these delicious world!"
With his passion for food, sustainability and health, Renaud has previously worked in the kitchens of notable Amsterdam restaurants, RIJKS® and Breda. He is now the head chef of ROUHI in Amsterdam. He is a flexitarian and likes to submerge himself with new flavors and techniques. Seasonality is at the core of his cooking where vegetables are the main ingredients; he prefers to combine them in simplicity. In his free time he likes to get away from the city and to get close to nature, where he spends time foraging for the restaurant.
Carolina is a food engineer born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is currently a flavorist trainee and has been studying at the IFF Flavorist School for the last two and a half years. As a student, she has worked in the sales and customer service areas for the chemical industry, but it was in IFF that she discovered flavors and their incredible and magical effect on food and consumers. Carolina considers Mexico her second home, after living there as a teenager and she loves cooking, collecting (and tasting) different types of tea and practicing Taekwon-Do.
Born in Buenos Aires, Sol has a degree in Food Technology and has worked in the industry for 15 years, the last 10 of which have been with IFF. She is currently the principal food technologist, leading the beverage lab and believes that we are living in a technology, social media and connectivity revolution and is passionate about embracing this change together. Sol is the mother of a beautiful five-year-old, named Juana, and is expecting a second child in July. Her hobbies include gardening, taking care of animals and spending time on the beach in the summer.
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Silvina is a flavorist who fell in love with the amazing world of flavors 25 years ago. She spends her time working across the beverage, dairy, confectionery and bakery categories and is the LatAm Ambassador for IFF's Re-Imagine Modulation portfolio. She believes that flavorists have an extraordinary power to create flavor experiences and it's awe-inspiring to see people's faces when this magic happens.
Andy is a senior applications technologist and beverage lab supervisor at Tastepoint UK. He has been in the flavour industry for 24 years, specialising in beverage development and applications stretching from the healthy and fortified soft drinks and nutritional beverages to high end alcoholic products. Andy is a quietly spoken genius, with a knack for insightful thinking and huge talent for creativity! Outside of the lab he has a long-term girlfriend and 3 dogs. Andy and his girlfriend enjoy training the dogs in dog agility and competing with them. Andy is also a keen football supporter and is looking forward to being back in the stadium to support his favourite club -Luton Town FC.
As an agroindustrial engineer with a Master's Degree in Holistic Education for Sustainable Development, Cuitlahuac focuses on sustainable development, ecology and biology. He is a specialist in the cultivation and agricultural production of chilli peppers. The passion for agricultural production arose from his grandparents; they were farmers and merchants.
Born in Leon, Guanajuato, Joshua considers himself "as Mexican as the mezcal". He loves to work at the bar, where he does his best to bring history and communicate provenance, heritage and context through his creations. He loves exploring multiple ingredients and seeing how they can be involved in cocktails. Joshua considers himself "an alchemist of mixology".
In the world of mixology, Ale D´Agostino has gained great recognition, being considered one of the best bartenders in Brazil. With his innovative soul and restless mind, he has expanded his mixology outside of the bar, with a line of bottled drinks with exclusive signature recipes. When it comes to drinks with low or no alcohol content, he believes in the power of mixology to create complex, functional and memorable drinks using fruits and botanicals. Recently, he opened the Apothekario Bar with the aim of being a laboratory of ideas and inspiration, promoting local ingredients, culture, diversity and sustainability.
Laura Willoughby MBE is co-founder of Club Soda, the Mindful Drinking Movement. ... A campaigner at heart, with a background in movement building and politics, she realised that one of the big sticking points was a way to support people to take a self-guided journey to change their drinking.
Health Equity/Wage Works Don’t be confused! Hear the benefits explained by a Health Equity/Wage Works Specialist. Sometimes it's hard to determine which choices are best, but we've got you covered. Hear the experts explain and demystify the options and highlight key account differences. Get empowered with insights to help you make the best decisions. Moneka Swan, Learning Specialist WW (Weight Watchers) Some hard days are unavoidable. So, it pays to be prepared with foods that support your wellness goals while pleasing your palate. Learn science-backed strategies that can keep you on track the next time stress stokes your appetite. Katelynn Andregg Mercy Diaz, Coach Take a well-deserved midday break and let your mind unwind! Join us for a captivating 30-minute session with Rmax Goodwin, a renowned Mentalist and Magician. If you missed last year’s event, you definitely won’t want to miss it again. Prepare for an extraordinary experience; don’t forget to have paper and pen at hand, and please keep your cameras on for the most immersive encounter! RMax Goodwin, Mentalist & Magician Virgin Pulse/BYOB Join Virgin Pulse as we walk through the wellness platform you never knew you needed! Get insight into how to better your health - physically, mentally, financially, and more all while earning CASH! Oh, and did we mention you can invite friends and family to come along for their own journey? Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about creating healthy new habits and to Be You Only Better (BYOB)! Emily Annis Maven Whether you are just thinking about starting a family, already at the beginning of your family journey, or have little ones at home, you'll learn about expecting the unexpected and how to navigate the path through parenthood. There is no playbook; every parenthood journey is different, and everyone needs help along the way. Get introduced to our expanded program with the addition of the Menopause track! Learn how Maven, the largest virtual clinic for families, can provide modern, holistic support for you and your family. Hattie Miller Guidance Resources (EAP) Don’t let your EAP resources go to waste! Get help with the demands of balancing work and family, counseling sessions, financial resources, online tools and much more than you ever thought possible! Learn more about Guidance Connect, Foundations and Computerized Cognitive Behavior Therapy. This free program supports not only you, but your household family members as well. Keith Birns Prudential Many Americans are not financially prepared for their future. People find the financial planning process overwhelming, and they don’t know where to begin. We are offering practical, down-to-earth information through Prudential Pathways, that may help you and your family today, tomorrow, and beyond. It is designed to give you an understanding of the fundamentals of financial wellness such as: the importance of estate planning, how assets are transferred at death, legal documents and more! Andy Laino Kaiser Permanente (California & Hawaii) Embark on a journey to better healthcare understanding with this webinar. Join for an informative session that will empower you and help unlock the world of Kaiser Permanente. Christianna Merfalen Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Living a collaborative, diverse culture of respect, learning and belonging is part of our strategy to achieve the SGWS Vision for 2030. Join us for a discussion about how psychological safety plays a key role in creating an inclusive culture where employees feel a sense of true belonging. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Panelists Health Advocate Health Advocate offers a unique level of healthcare, insurance navigation and well-being support to help you reach your best health. We support and help SGWS employees and families navigate a complex healthcare system! Pam Spengler Diabetes Management (Livongo by Teladoc) Did you know people who have been diagnosed with diabetes spend about $17,000 each year on medical expenses? The Livongo for Diabetes program supports people diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and helps make living with diabetes easier. Receive a free connected meter, unlimited strips, and unlimited lancets. Get a chance to work with a coach for more guidance and learn how you can save money by participating in this program! Erin Murray Presenter Blue Cross (Meru Health) Discover the tools and techniques to not just survive but thrive in the face of adversity. Gain valuable insights to enhance your resilience and overcome life’s challenges. Don’t miss the opportunity to equip yourself with skills needed to navigate stress and emerge stronger than before. Karen Tumbleson MEd, EdS, LMHC, NCC, Therapist Presenter Join our electrifying DJ wrap party, the ultimate way to unwind and groove through the evening. Bring your family along for an inclusive experience filled with music, games, and endless entertainment for everyone to enjoy!
Agenda
October 12, 2023
October 12, 2023 11:00 am
FSA vs. HSA Showdown: Pick Your Pocket Protector for Health Expenses
Health Equity
Moneka Swan, Learning Specialist
October 12, 2023 11:30 am
Snack Attack Strategy: Outsmarting Stress Eating Like A Pro!
Client Engagement Specialist, WW (Weight Watchers)
Katelynn Andregg
WW (Weight Watchers)
Mercy Diaz, Coach
October 12, 2023 12:00 pm
Mid Day Mentalist
RMax Goodwin, Mentalist & Magician
October 12, 2023 12:30 pm
Total Wellness Unleashed! Virgin Pulse/BYOB: Your Passport to Health and Happiness
Senior Account Manager, Virgin Pulse
Emily Annis
October 12, 2023 01:00 pm
Inclusive care for you and your family - personalized, virtual support from preconception to menopause
Director, Client Success, Maven
Hattie Miller
October 12, 2023 01:30 pm
Empower yourself and your family! Thrive Through Life’s Challenges with our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Senior Account Manager, Guidance Resources (ComPsych)
Keith Birns
October 12, 2023 02:00 pm
The Fundamentals of Wills, Trusts & Power of Attorney – best practices for ensuring your assets are distributed as you wish and to whom you wish. – BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
CFP®, CLU®, CLTC® Financial Planner Worksite Education Program Speaker, Prudential
Andy Laino
October 12, 2023 02:30 pm
Kaiser Unveiled: Your Health Journey Starts Here
Associate Account Manager, Kaiser Permanente
Christianna Merfalen
October 12, 2023 02:45 pm
How Inclusive Teams Foster Psychological Safety
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Panelists
October 12, 2023 03:30 pm
Do you need someone to help guide you through health care? We make health care easier!
Account Executive, Health Advocate
Pam Spengler
October 12, 2023 04:00 pm
Mastering Diabetes: Your Roadmap to a Healthier Life
Senior Client Executive, Teladoc Health, Inc.
Erin Murray
Presenter
October 12, 2023 04:30 pm
Practical Strategies for Building Resiliency Skills – Thrive Through Stress
Blue Cross (Meru Health)
Karen Tumbleson MEd, EdS, LMHC, NCC, Therapist
Presenter
October 12, 2023 07:00 pm
JOIN US FOR A FUN WRAP PARTY TO CELEBRATE THE DAY’S EVENT – PRIZES AND SURPRISES
Born in Los Angeles, Rmax (pronounced “Ar-Max”) began learning magic at 6 years old and began performing professionally at the Magic Castle (an invitation-only club in Hollywood) at just 14 years old. Today he’s a highly sought after mentalist and magician for hire by meeting and event planners looking for premier corporate entertainment. His award-winning magic is distinguished by expert sleight-of-hand, witty banter, and an approachable style. His “sleight of mind” mentalism is punctuated by unique presentations and incredible mind reading designed to create a once in a lifetime experience for his audience.
These impressive techniques have earned him multiple appearances on the television program Masters of Illusion and he has become the go-to consultant for America’s Got Talent Champions. He is now one of the country’s busiest entertainers, performing at exclusive celebrity parties and Fortune 500 events.
Music is impactful and the heart of many celebrations. It helps create the memories that you want to experience. From soft, subtle mood setting music all the way to high-energy, packed dance floors, Supermix Entertainment creates the atmosphere that will complement any event. Our team comes from Queens, New York, a diverse and exciting place. It’s an infusion of many cultures, and as professionals, we embrace them all. We’ve created virtual event experiences unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. We use our high quality audio, video, custom graphics, and extremely talented entertainers to give your event that personalized touch and engagement we are all looking to achieve.
Client Engagement Specialist
Senior Account Manager
Virgin Pulse
Director, Client Success
Maven
Senior Account Manager
Guidance Resources (ComPsych)
®Financial Planner Worksite Education
Program Speaker Prudential
Account Executive
Health Advocate
Senior Client Executive
Teladoc Health, Inc.
World Class Magician and Mentalist
WW (Weight Watchers)
MEd, EdS, LMHC, NCC, Therapist
Blue Cross (Meru Health)
Manager
Employee Wellbeing
DJ
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Snack Attack Strategy: Outsmarting Stress Eating Like A Pro!
Some hard days are unavoidable. So, it pays to be prepared with foods that support your wellness goals while pleasing your palate. Learn science-backed strategies that can keep you on track the next time stress stokes your appetite
Total Wellness Unleashed! Virgin Pulse/BYOB: Your Passport to Health and Happiness
Join Virgin Pulse as we walk through the wellness platform you never knew you needed! Get insight into how to better your health - physically, mentally, financially, and more all while earning CASH! Oh, and did we mention you can invite friends and family to come along for their own journey? Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about creating healthy new habits and to Be You Only Better (BYOB)!
Inclusive care for you and your family - personalized, virtual support from preconception to menopause
Whether you are just thinking about starting a family, already at the beginning of your family journey, or have little ones at home, you'll learn about expecting the unexpected and how to navigate the path through parenthood. There is no playbook; every parenthood journey is different, and everyone needs help along the way. Get introduced to our expanded program with the addition of the Menopause track! Learn how Maven, the largest virtual clinic for families, can provide modern, holistic support for you and your family.
Empower yourself and your family! Thrive Through Life’s Challenges with our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Don’t let your EAP resources go to waste! Get help with the demands of balancing work and family, counseling sessions, financial resources, online tools and much more than you ever thought possible! Learn more about Guidance Connect, Foundations and Computerized Cognitive Behavior Therapy. This free program supports not only you, but your household family members as well.
The Fundamentals of Wills, Trusts & Power of Attorney – best practices for ensuring your assets are distributed as you wish and to whom you wish. – BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
Many Americans are not financially prepared for their future. People find the financial planning process overwhelming, and they don’t know where to begin. We are offering practical, down-to-earth information through Prudential Pathways, that may help you and your family today, tomorrow, and beyond. It is designed to give you an understanding of the fundamentals of financial wellness such as: the importance of estate planning, how assets are transferred at death, legal documents and more!
Do you need someone to help guide you through health care? We make health care easier!
Health Advocate offers a unique level of healthcare, insurance navigation and well-being support to help you reach your best health. We support and help SGWS employees and families navigate a complex healthcare system!
Mastering Diabetes: Your Roadmap to a Healthier Life
Did you know people who have been diagnosed with diabetes spend about $17,000 each year on medical expenses? The Livongo for Diabetes program supports people diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and helps make living with diabetes easier. Receive a free connected meter, unlimited strips, and unlimited lancets. Get a chance to work with a coach for more guidance and learn how you can save money by participating in this program!
Registration opens October 2nd
