2025 Solutions Stage Schedule

Hannes Pouseele
Global Architect for Data and Genomics Solutions
bioMérieux Industry Unit

As a PhD in mathematics, and with the experience of implementing the bioinformatics behind the transition of PulseNet, the US foodborne disease surveillance network, from PFGE to whole genome sequencing, he joined the BioMérieux Industry Unit to work on data- and genomics-based approaches to improve food safety and quality. Current areas of focus are building preparedness tools for safety and quality risks in raw material supply, developing micro risk management tools for the food manufacturing environment and creating hybrid diagnostic solutions for molecular traceability, root cause analysis and factory health.

Dr. Vera P. Dickinson
Founder & CEO
Innova-Q

Dr. Dickinson is a seasoned leader in Product Quality and Food Safety, with over 20 years of experience driving excellence at Walt Disney World, Mondelez International, Mars Wrigley, Danone, and Sargento Foods. As the Founder of Innova-Q, she is redefining food safety and quality management by integrating data science, compliance intelligence, and AI-driven insights. Her mission is to transform how organizations anticipate, manage, and mitigate risks, empowering businesses with unparalleled efficiency, reliability, and product excellence.

Silvana Susi
Food & Beverage Sales Manager, North America
DNV

Silvana is an experienced sales and business development professional with over 12 years in the food and beverage industry. As a former co-owner of Araya Artisan Chocolate, she possesses a deep knowledge of food safety and quality. Silvana is committed to excellence, taking a customer-centric approach to help clients find the best solutions. Her ability to build and maintain strong relationships has earned the trust of global companies throughout her career.

Kathleen Wybourn
Director of Food & Beverage, US & Canada
DNV

Over 30 years in the Food & Beverage industry bringing you experience, industry insights, and value-added information from managerial positions in Food Safety, Quality, Supplier Management & Operations at Monsanto, from the association level as Director of GMA-SAFE, GFSI Technical Working groups, and the registrar & assessment level as the Director of Food & Beverage NA at DNV SCPA & Business Assurance.

Amber Engebretson
Solution Consultant
PLM TrustLink

With over 20 years of experience in operations, training, and supply chain, Amber’s passion for 'food safety for everyone' plants her at the intersection of change management and cutting-edge traceability technology. At PLM TrustLink, a comprehensive software platform for tracking & tracing food in the supply chain, her focus remains on driving automation, streamlining processes, while translating the intricate dynamics of rapidly evolving supply chain needs and regulations into technology implementations.

Brian Wood
Sales Director
PLM TrustLink

Brian has over 20 years of experience in sales and business leadership development utilizing technology-based solutions to solve customer pain points within their business. A delivery leader in leveraging embedded technology integration platforms, enterprise-level hardware/software, RFID (UHF/HF/NFC), contactless product technologies, IoT and cloud-based solutions, Brian was a key contributor in the creation of PLM TrustLink™.

Steve Ardagh
Founder and CEO
Eagle Protect PBC

Steve Ardagh, is founder and CEO of specialist glove supplier Eagle Protect, the only U.S. glove supply company to conduct proprietary independent glove testing and verification of their range of gloves. With gloves a known microbial contamination source, Ardagh continues to appear in podcasts and food safety publications advocating for increased glove food safety verification. He is actively pursuing a regulatory change of food compliant gloves to include testing and verification for microbial contamination and glove defects - neither of which are currently included.

Matt Taylor
Director Food Consulting
NSF Food Advisory & Training

Matt is a highly enthusiastic, accomplished, results-driven leader and former Environmental Health Consultant with extensive experience across diverse global industry sectors. Dedicated to enhancing public health, protecting the planet, and driving operational excellence, Matt has over 25 years of food safety experience and is now in the USA, supporting NSF’s global footprint. Matt has and continues to support numerous global businesses, including retailers, QSRs, fast-casual food services, hospitality companies, distributors, hoteliers, and manufacturers.

Julie McGill
Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy and Insights
Trustwell

Julie McGill is the Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy and Insights at Trustwell where she monitors food regulations, is engaged with evolving industry work, advises, and educates internal stakeholders and external partners on impacts to the food supply chain. Prior to joining Trustwell, Julie led initiatives in foodservice and convenience retail at GS1 US. She was a founding team member at Transora, which was one of the first GDSN data pools. Julie started her career at Coors Brewing Company in Golden, Colorado, working on their store level data team, managing the distributor EDI program.

Megan Murphy
Manager of the Regulatory Team in Product
Trustwell

Megan currently serves as Manager of the Regulatory Team in Product at Trustwell. Previously, she was a Regulatory and Consulting Specialist at ESHA Research and Manager of Nutrition Database and Labeling at McDonald’s Nutrition Team. Megan has also worked in nutrition roles at MacNeal Hospital and Bally Total Fitness. She holds a B.A. from the University of Illinois and is a registered and licensed dietitian. Megan completed a combined dietetic internship/master’s program in public health at Benedictine University, as well as the didactic program in dietetics at Loyola University Chicago.

John Girard
Regional Manager
LUBRIPLATE Lubricants Company

Dr. Terry Arthur
Chief Microbiological Officer
FREMONTA Corporation

Dr. Terry Arthur received his PhD in Bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Arthur was a microbiologist with the USDA-Agricultural Research Service for 24 years in the Meat Safety and Quality Research Unit. Dr. Arthur’s studies were focused on preharvest and postharvest food safety solutions targeting E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. He is a co-inventor of the non-destructive MicroTally® sampling technology, which is currently used by USDA FSIS and processors supplying over 95% of raw beef trim in the U.S. Dr. Arthur currently serves as the Chief Microbiological Officer for FREMONTA Corp.

Jennifer Lott
Technical Development Director - Food
SGS North America, Inc.

As the Food Technical Development Director at SGS, Jennifer has over 25 years of industry experience and is passionate about helping companies grow and succeed. She specializes in Food and Product Safety Management Systems with particular expertise in all things associated with certification, including training and project management. Jennifer has a commitment to excellence, a positive can-do attitude and is always looking for opportunities to develop solutions to meet the needs of clients. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys hiking, volunteering, creating new recipes from leftovers, and spending time with her family.

Brett Roberts
Business Development Manager
SGS North America, Inc.

Brett Roberts is the Business Development Manager for SGS food testing laboratories where he manages the central states region. Prior to joining SGS, Brett received his undergraduate degree from Iowa State University, is a former quality manager and has held multiple positions with the USDA-ARS.

Daniel Schmidt
US & Canada Sales Director
TuffWrap Installations

Dan Schmidt, US & Canada Sales Director for TuffWrap Installations, oversees and directs the company’s North American salesforce. TuffWrap Installations is North America's leading provider of innovative dust and debris containment solutions during re-roofing, renovation, and reconstruction projects. They are the pioneer in the industry and provide turnkey services for the installation and removal of suspended cover, temporary walls, and exterior wall protection needs.

Dan is currently tasked with the responsibility of contributing to the development of additional products and services, as well as advancing the company's already impressive twenty-five-year history of growth and success. Additionally, he provides direction and guidance to the sales team to achieve higher revenue targets and expand the company's customer base. Under his leadership, the sales team has grown revenues by 56% over the last two years and they are highly motivated and committed towards achieving the company's common goal of growth and success.

Schmidt holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mechanical Engineering from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, and a Master of Science (MS) in Engineering Management from Walden University, Minneapolis, MN. Before joining TuffWrap he held senior-level management positions in professional services, business development, and sales.

Dallas Henderson
QMS Solutions Engineer
FranConnect

Experienced in both frontline operations and enterprise-level solutions, with a career spanning over two decades in the food service and hospitality industry. For the past five years, the focus has been on driving performance, compliance, and operational excellence through Quality Management Systems.

Currently serving as a QMS Solutions Engineer at FranConnect, helping multi-unit brands implement scalable tools that improve accountability, streamline processes, and protect brand standards.

Always open to sharing insights, swapping stories, or building something better—together.

Jorge Hernandez
Vice President of Quality Assurance
The Wendy’s Company

Jorge is responsible for food safety and quality in all Wendy’s restaurants and its suppliers in 31 countries. His responsibilities include ensuring brand compliance with nutritional and allergen information, menu labeling and any other state and federal regulations. Previously, Jorge was Chief Food Safety Officer at Wholesome International; Senior VP for Food Safety and Quality Assurance at US FOODS; VP of Food Safety at the National Restaurant Association; Food Program Manager at Illinois Department of Public Health and Sanitarian at Winnebago County Health Department in Illinois.

Jorge has Degrees in Biology from Rockford University, USA; Microbiology from El Centro de Estudios Medico-Biologicos in Mexico City, Mexico; and Languages and Literature from la Universite de la Sorbonne, Paris, France. Jorge belongs to several national and international organizations and boards including STOP Foodborne Illness, IFPTI, the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and other.

Nick Brown
Director of Transportation - Supply Chain Solutions
enVista

Nick Brown is Director of Transportation in enVista’s Supply Chain Solutions. In 2022, Nick designed a multi-tool global transportation solution for a large medical device manufacturer/distributor. He has more than 15 years of experience across multiple facets of the transportation industry. Nick’s experience includes directing client engagements over multiple teams, creating custom continuous improvement projects for his customers, being the Business Owner of OTM and more.