Speakers 2024

Along with being vice-president of the Chilean Avocado Committee and leader of the Technical and Sustainability Council, he is co-founder of Bigeo,...

Along with being vice-president of the Chilean Avocado Committee and leader of the Technical and Sustainability Council, he is co-founder of Bigeo, an agricultural technology company.

He is an agronomist engineer from Universidad Mayor. As a professional, he has focused for 9 years in the avocado industry, from the commercial area to production.

From his current experience as Agricultural Director at Agrícola Ocoa, he has focused on complementing high productivity with low environmental impact management, promoting practices to reduce the water footprint, carbon footprint and prioritize products and services that are in line with sustainability issues.

The “Water, sustainability and a multipurpose collaborative approach” panel seeks to contribute the avocado grower’s perspective, combining the best ideas related to sustainability with day-to-day experience in the crop.

Carmen is an agricultural engineer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), specialized in fruit growing and the avocado in...

Carmen is an agricultural engineer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), specialized in fruit growing and the avocado industry.

With 25 years of experience in the sector, since 2016 she has been part of Westfalia Fruit, where she held the position of avocado commercial manager Chile, and today as avocado commercial manager for South America where they have operations, promoting the commercialization of this fruit 52 weeks of the year, both in Chile and in international markets, including the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

In 2022 she became vice-president of the Chilean Avocado Committee and in 2024 president of the same entity, becoming the first woman to hold this position.

He graduated as a teacher in 1966 from the Escuela Normal José Abelardo Núñez. In 1971, he obtained a degree in Agricultural Engineering from th...

He graduated as a teacher in 1966 from the Escuela Normal José Abelardo Núñez. In 1971, he obtained a degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Chile. He traveled to France to continue his studies, where he obtained the degree of Doctor of Engineering from the University of Paris in 1974. In 1986 he obtained the degree of Doctor of State in Sciences at the same university.

From 1971 to 2022 he worked as an academic at the University of Chile, where he is a full professor.

He is currently Director of Graduate Studies and Research at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the Universidad San Sebastián, where he has been in charge.

Since his beginnings in academia, he has worked in the line of bioclimatology and ecophysiological modeling of plant species. In 1995 he led the obtaining of a GRANT from IBM for the University of Chile, with the objective of developing environmental applications of computation. This initiative led to the creation of a multidisciplinary Center for Environmental Sciences (AGRIMED).

In 1997 he led the creation of the Natural Resources Engineering program at the University of Chile. In 2000, he led the creation of the PhD in Forestry, Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Chile, a program that currently has more than 120 PhD graduates.

During his academic life he has been responsible for numerous FONDECYT, FONDEF, European Union, Global Environment Facility, UNDP, IICA projects, as well as national organizations such as CONAMA, ODEPA, SAG, COMSA, CIREN and others. He has been a member of the group of experts of the United Nations Convention on Desertification. In 2008, he received an award from the Ministry of Environment of Brazil and IICA, for his outstanding contribution to the study of desertification in Latin America.

He has carried out numerous international consultancies for FAO, WMM, IICA, UNCCD. He has published more than 60 relevant articles, several chapters of books from foreign publishers and two Agroclimatic Atlases of Chile.

Geographer and Hydrologist, Senior Associate Consultant at the Water Center for Latin America of the international hydrological program under the a...

Geographer and Hydrologist, Senior Associate Consultant at the Water Center for Latin America of the international hydrological program under the auspices of UNESCO.

A geographer by profession, specializing in hydrology and geopolitics, he has held roles at the Ministry of Defense, National Assets, the Senate of the Republic, UNDP, and the European Union. For the past ten years, he has served as Senior Associate Consultant at the Water Center for Latin America (CAZALAC) under UNESCO’s International Hydrological Program, where he directed the study “Environmental State of the Art of Persea americana Mill Cultivation in Chile.”

He is the author and editor of the geographic and political framework for the creation of the Commission on Water Resources, Desertification, and Drought in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic. He also presented to the National Congress for the ratification of five international treaties, all currently in effect in Chile, and led expeditions to extreme regions of the country, including Antarctica.

Internationally, he spent twenty-five years working on the implementation of the Ottawa Convention on the prohibition of anti-personnel mines, participating in humanitarian demining operations in over twenty countries, including Cambodia, Vietnam, Kenya, and Guatemala. He also conducted studies and risk mapping of all minefields in Chile

He has been visiting Professor as a reviewer of undergraduate and graduate theses at the Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Universidad Andres Bello, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción and former Advisor of the Geography Institute of the Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. He is also a guest researcher at the Universidad de Talca in Chile, State University of Florida and the US Southern Command of the US Army at the University of Illinois.

Over the past decade, Emiliano Escobedo has led the Hass Avocado Board to build the U.S. into the largest avocado market globally and make the Hass...

Over the past decade, Emiliano Escobedo has led the Hass Avocado Board to build the U.S. into the largest avocado market globally and make the Hass avocado industry stakeholders successful. As the Executive Director, he has played a vital catalyst role in making avocados America’s most popular fruit while transforming the Hass Avocado Board into the only independent organization that equips the entire avocado industry for success.

Emiliano holds a degree in Food and Resources Economics from the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Florida.

Commercial Engineer from Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez and Master in Strategic Sales Management.

Extensive experience in the trade union world...

Commercial Engineer from Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez and Master in Strategic Sales Management.

Extensive experience in the trade union world, representing the Chilean fruit industry.

In charge of representing the Chilean avocado industry in the world.

Partner of FOCCO A.G. Corporate Communication Forum. Association that gathers communication executives and professionals in Chile.

Member of the Water Positive Think Tank.

Gabriel Alarcón is a Chilean entrepreneur with an outstanding career in the commercial and logistics field.

He graduated in 1985 as an Off...

Gabriel Alarcón is a Chilean entrepreneur with an outstanding career in the commercial and logistics field.

He graduated in 1985 as an Officer in the Chilean Army, specializing in Quartermaster Logistics (supply, administration and finance). His training gave him a solid base for his later incursion into the business world.

In 1993, after retiring from the Army, he began his career as an entrepreneur with an innovative avocado commercialization project, which quickly became the Ayapal Company.

His pioneering vision led him to introduce new sales formats in Chilean supermarkets, such as ripe avocado and avocado in nets, which revolutionized the market. He was also the first to import avocados from Argentina, Mexico and Peru, strengthening national trade in the food industry.

In 2011, Gabriel Alarcón assumed the position of Commercial Manager at Empresa Bagno, continuing his contribution to the development and innovation in the commercialization of avocado in Chile.

Senior Analyst – Fresh Produce – Rabobank

Based in Santiago, Gonzalo focuses on Fresh Produce sector analysis for Rabo Research,...

Senior Analyst – Fresh Produce – Rabobank

Based in Santiago, Gonzalo focuses on Fresh Produce sector analysis for Rabo Research, Rabobank’s global research department.

Prior to joining Rabobank, Gonzalo worked for nine years in consulting, where he provided information and market analysis to different actors in the fruit supply chain, such as exporters, banks, agrochemical and packaging companies.

Gonzalo holds a degree in Food Engineering from the Universidad de Santiago de Chile and a Master’s degree in Agribusiness Management from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

Jerry Clode is recognized as a leading expert in China’s consumer and digital culture. In a 20+ year career, he has helped iconic brands such...

Jerry Clode is recognized as a leading expert in China’s consumer and digital culture. In a 20+ year career, he has helped iconic brands such as Disney, Budweiser, and Unilever establish footholds in China. Jerry is one of the few, if not the only Chinese language consumer interviewer of foreign origin, speaking to over 200 local consumers each year.

More recently, Jerry has created Chinese brand names and strategies for many leading nutrition brands, including Synlait, Rockit Apples, NZ Avocado, and the World Macadamia Organisation. His viewpoint is widely sought after by leading publications, including the SCMP, Washington Post, WARC, and Ad Age. He has also been a regular keynote speaker at Asiafruit Logistica.

Jerry has held senior roles in China, London, and Singapore. In London, he led WPP’s global Cultural Insight division, with a focus on brand strategy in emerging markets – China, Brazil, and India. He is the consecutive recipient of China’s Digital A-List award in both 2017 and 2018 and was recognized by the Business of Fashion as a global pioneering thinker in business, technology, and creative leadership.

Bachelor of Laws, Lawyer.

Founding Partner, Alarcón y Asociados.

Diploma in Corporate Law and Compliance, Adolfo Ibañez University....

Bachelor of Laws, Lawyer.

Founding Partner, Alarcón y Asociados.

Diploma in Corporate Law and Compliance, Adolfo Ibañez University.

Diploma in Responsible Mining, Universidad Católica de Valparaíso.

Nicolás brings over 20 years of experience in strategic communication and public affairs to the table. He has led commu...

Nicolás brings over 20 years of experience in strategic communication and public affairs to the table. He has led communication teams and provided counsel to companies and organizations, particularly in the water sector, both nationally and internationally. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Communication and is a qualified journalist. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Political and Corporate Communication, as well as a Master’s Degree in Government and Sustainability Management. He has led corporate communications departments and public affairs teams, as well as lobbying activities, public relations campaigns, and marketing and commercial services. Additionally, he has experience creating and leading ventures, as well as serving as a university professor and member of boards of directors in Chile and abroad.

He has led consultancies and services for clients in many sectors and countries, including desalination projects valued at over US$2 billion, international advocacy campaigns, digital marketing and business generation for different companies and organizations in the water sector, among other notable achievements.

Currently, he serves as director and communications manager of the Water Positive Think Tank, CEO of PuntoCero Consultores, director of companies and foundations, university professor of Communication Management and media columnist, among other roles.

Industrial Civil Engineer and Diploma in Strategy and Management Control from the University of Chile. Master in Corporate Social Responsibility, A...

Industrial Civil Engineer and Diploma in Strategy and Management Control from the University of Chile. Master in Corporate Social Responsibility, Accounting and Social Auditing from the University of Barcelona (Spain). International Diploma in Management and Innovation from Georgetown University (USA).

With 24 years of experience in ESG and Corporate Sustainability, he is currently General Manager of Sustenta+, a certified B company, from where he has accompanied the incorporation of ESG practices in companies in different areas such as mining, energy, food, agriculture, health, retail, social security, financial, among others.

He is also a member of the “Business and Society” circle of Icare, Co-Chair of the Sustainability Committee of the Chilean American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham Chile) and was a member of the board between 2021-2023 of Acción Empresas (Chilean chapter of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development – WBCSD).

Along with consulting, he teaches postgraduate courses on ESG and Sustainability for the Master in Strategic Communication, Marketing and Business, as well as the Diploma in Strategic Communication and Sustainability at the Universidad del Desarrollo, the Diploma in Responsible Mining at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, the Diploma in Human Rights and Business at the Universidad Diego Portales and the Business Sustainability Academy of Acción Empresas.

He is also a member of the board of directors of the Villa Padre Hurtado Foundation.

Previously he was a partner in the consulting firm Add Value, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at LAN Airlines (LATAM Airlines), Director of R&D at Acción RSE (Acción Empresas) and National Coordinator for TECHO Chile. He was spokesperson for Voces Católicas between 2021 and 2023, General Coordinator of the Sustainability Commission for Pope Francis’ visit to Chile, member of the Sustainability Committee of Fundación América Solidaria and member of the board of directors of Corporación Moviliza.

Shelly Vorster joined WAO last summer as the new Marketing Director.

She brings over 20 years of experience in the fast-moving consumer good...

Shelly Vorster joined WAO last summer as the new Marketing Director.

She brings over 20 years of experience in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, working for renowned global brands such as Mars and Nestle.

She brings an entrepreneurial spirit to her role after also heading up her own consultancy company in the UK for over a decade.

With expertise in Strategy and consumer marketing across European retail, Shelly is supporting WAO to invest in retail data so that we can further understand the market by country and by retailer; to tailor campaigns that further engage and inspire consumers into the category.

She is now based in Malaga, Spain where she keeps busy with a young family and love for the outdoors.

Zac Bard has been a student of the avocado for 30 years.

He studied hort...

Zac Bard has been a student of the avocado for 30 years.

He studied horticulture , including a masters degree specializing in avocados at the University of Natal in South Africa.

He has worked at Westfalia Fruit for 25 years and been involved in avocados all over the globe and currently serves as an executive in the company.

He also serves on the Board of the World Avocado Organization since its inception and in 2022 spearheaded the Myth Busting Campaign that aimed at neutralizing the incorrect and bad press of avocados.