WFA: Americas Speakers

Dr. Deepali Palta is Vice President of Global R&D Innovation & Sustainability for Kellanova, previously Kellogg Company.  In this role, Dr. Palta drives a science and technology-led agenda with her team to deliver consumer-centric top and bottom-line innovation pipeline while advancing Kellanova’s packaging sustainability agenda forward.

She joined Kellanova/Kellogg in November 2021. Since then, she has led the Wellness agenda and Global Value Transformation agenda delivering both in-year savings and robust pipeline for the future. Prior to joining Kellogg, Dr. Palta worked with PepsiCo for 14 years. During her tenure, she worked across multiple geographies (North America, Europe and Africa) and multiple brands to support and lead R&D strategy, product development, and packaging sustainability. Her last role took her to UK where she led the West Europe Regional Snacks R&D and was accountable to deliver $2.7 Bn Snacks portfolio across 16 countries.

She is an executive advisor for Women of Kellanova business employee resource group committed to co company’s vision of gender parity. She is a STEMinist and serves on the board of Illinois Science and Technology Coalition to cultivate innovation and technology-based economic development in Illinois.

She holds M.S. in Engineering from IIT Delhi and a Ph.D. in Polymer and Material Science from Georgia Tech. 

Annie Ryu is CEO and Founder of jack & annie’s and The Jackfruit Company. For over ten years, Annie has worked relentlessly to popularize jackfruit as a ground-breaking meat alternative, pioneering the world’s leading jackfruit supply chain, R&D and brands. Today jack & annie’s is a top 5 brand in the Frozen Plant-Based Meat category in both Whole Foods and Sprouts, with a repeat rate higher than Beyond and Impossible’s. The company’s farm-to-fork supply chain supports over 1,700 farming families, providing 10-40% of their income, and delivers jackfruit to the US with a 94% lower carbon footprint vs conventional beef. Annie has been recognized as Forbes 30 under 30, Top Women in Grocery, an Unreasonable Fellow, a Young Gun (by Frozen & Refrigerated Buyer), and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Mountain West).

Mary brings her experience and perspective from over 35 years at Microsoft to lead strategic initiatives in the Office of the Vice Chair and President. She is a frequent speaker on issues related to Microsoft’s corporate and social responsibility as well as technology policy, including in relation to AI. 

She formerly led Microsoft’s Global Philanthropies, investing the company’s technology, financial support, employee talent, and voice to partner with nonprofits and communities to create lasting positive impact. Prior to that, Mary was Deputy General Counsel leading legal support for Microsoft’s engineering organizations.  

Mary has been an active board member for many nonprofit organizations, including the YWCA of Seattle, King, and Snohomish County, the Seattle Art Museum, the National 4-H Council, Washington STEM, and Farm Foundation. She also serves on the University of Michigan’s President’s Advisory Group, and on FFA’s Corporate Sponsors Board. 
 

Mary joined Microsoft in 1988 as its fourth attorney, and first female attorney. She grew up in Newton, Kansas, where she still has close family, and graduated from the University of Kansas School of Journalism before earning her law degree at the University of Michigan. 

Christopher Bylone is a distinguished expert in fostering a sense of belonging through data-driven strategies. Growing up on a rural Southern New Jersey farm, Christopher developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors and a strong work ethic. His early experiences shaped his passion for creating inclusive spaces where everyone knows they are valued and respected.

Christopher’s journey in advocacy began at Cumberland County College, where he started the first Gay-Straight Alliance. This bold move was not without challenges; a story in The Daily Journal outed him to the entire town, a pivotal moment that strengthened his resolve to fight for equality and inclusion. His personal experiences, including being a cancer survivor, have fueled his dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Christopher currently serves as the Global Head of Belonging at Krispy Kreme. Since joining in May 2023, he has established Krispy Kreme’s first Global Belonging Strategy, launched new Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for People with Disabilities and Veterans & Emergency Responders, and developed an Inclusive Behavior Model that outlines the expectations of how all employees should act in the workplace – inclusively! His efforts have also included establishing relationships with prominent organizations like the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Best Buddies International.

Before his tenure at Krispy Kreme, Christopher held various leadership roles at International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (IFF), a global Fortune 500 company. As the Global Head of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, he managed a diverse team and led the development and implementation of IFF’s DE&I Strategy. His notable achievements include co-leading the design and launch of the 2030 ESG Strategy, guiding the launch of Global Parental Leave, and increasing the DE&I budget from $40k to $1.3m. Christopher also played a pivotal role in harmonizing DE&I programs during the integration of DuPont N&B and developed a Transgender Transitioning at Work Policy.

Christopher’s belief in the power of names and identity is deeply personal. In our fast-paced, digital world, addressing someone by their name can profoundly affect our interactions and relationships. This is more than just a courtesy—it’s a crucial part of his identity. For many years, before video conferencing, people often misgendered him based on the sound of his voice, assuming he was female when he went by Chris. To help people avoid this mistake, he started using his full name, Christopher. This small change significantly impacted on how he was perceived and respected.

Being addressed as Christopher rather than Chris is not just about preference—it’s about ensuring that he is correctly identified and knows his identity belongs. It’s a reminder that names are a fundamental part of our identity and using them appropriately can significantly impact how we feel and interact with others.

Outside of his professional life, Christopher loves being outdoors and enjoys gardening. When he retires, he dreams of owning a small farm where he can grow produce for local soup kitchens and food pantries, continuing his lifelong commitment to helping others. Living in the Charlotte Metro area with his family, Christopher is a father who cherishes his time with loved ones and remains dedicated to creating inclusive environments wherever he goes.

Patricia Stroup, a United States citizen residing in Switzerland, is an executive with extensive international experience in upstream supply chains, with specific expertise in the intersection of cost, sustainability and supply risk management as well as a unique background in food and agriculture.

Recognized as a dynamic and charismatic leader, Patricia is currently Chief Procurement Officer and Senior Vice-President of Nestlé SA, the world’s largest food and beverage company, and is also Chief Executive Officer of Nestrade, Nestlé’s global procurement entity.

Patricia has a long history in business and food production, stemming from her early career running her own dairy farm in the United States. She later worked in government relations, sustainability, communications, business development, and supply chain for agricultural cooperatives and manufacturing companies before moving into an international business career seventeen years ago with Nestlé, living and working in North America, Asia and Europe.

Geeta Sethi is the Advisor and Global Lead for Food Systems at the World Bank. She is managing the World Bank’s program on Food Loss and Waste Reduction. She has more than 20 years of experience working as an economist on fragile, low-, and middle-income countries. Her work has focused on issues of rural development, service delivery and intergovernmental fiscal policies in around the world. She has delivered many lending programs to the World Bank Board and published books and articles in referred journals on issues relating to rural labor markets, trade policy and fiscal decentralization. Previously, she was the Chief of Staff to the Climate Change Vice President and Special Envoy, the Operations and Strategy Manger for Climate Change, and worked as the Program Manager for the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program. She has an MBA and PhD in Economics. 

Campbell Mitchell is an internationally recognized food safety and quality leader with over 30 years of experience across the food and agricultural value chain. Currently Vice President of Quality & Safety at Fairlife, Campbell has led global teams from New Zealand to the Middle East and the U.S., building inclusive cultures while embedding world-class systems in some of the world’s most respected food companies.

As a passionate advocate for talent development and equity in leadership, Campbell brings both strategic insight and practical perspective to the conversation on meaningful male allyship. With a reputation for integrity, clarity, and action, he is committed to shaping workplaces where diverse voices not only belong — they lead.

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Chantal Randolph-Schall currently serves as a Vice President of Operations in Corporate Services Food, overseeing nearly 80 clients and a talented team of chefs, operators, customer services representatives, and management personnel. Since she joined Sodexo in 2011, Chantal has held varied key leadership roles, being promoted from General Manager, then District Manager, to where she is today. Chantal innovatively supports major clients with a passion to help organizations and teams succeed and grow. As an example of her entrepreneurial spirit, Chantal led the development of a dessert commissary kitchen in California as a response to the limitations that the pandemic imposed at the time. This idea was what eventually became the Bliss Craft Bake Shop, currently serving more than 20 local clients premium, craft baked goods.

Her 27 years of international hospitality experience includes fine dining restaurants, hotel catering, premium airline lounges and corporate dining. While currently based in Chicago, Illinois, she has lived all over the world and began her career in West Africa.

She earned an associates degree in culinary arts and a bachelor’s degree in food service management from Johnson & Wales University. Chantal speaks French, English and Spanish fluently, with French being her native language.

Fractional CMO | Board Member | Brand Strategist 

Brooke Effron is a seasoned marketing executive and board advisor with over 30 years of experience driving growth for startups and Fortune 500 companies across Consumer Product Goods, Healthcare and Media. As Principal of BWE Consultancy and Co-Founder of The Well Network, she partners with leadership teams to build brands, craft innovation strategies, and unlock market potential. Brooke has led transformative work for AB InBev, Danone, Diageo  and Teladoc, and previously held senior roles at Unilever. A graduate of Princeton University and The Wharton School of Business, she remains deeply engaged in governance and executive communities including Women Corporate Directors and NYSE Board Services.

Beth Bernier is the Global Director of Ingredient Science for Mars Snacking. She leads an expert team dedicated to ensuring the business has the ingredients needed for future success, including identifying sustainable ingredients that address regulatory and supply resiliency challenges while exploring innovative options for innovation. With over 20 years of experience in R&D, Beth is passionate about people development and fostering an inclusive environment that empowers individuals. Her curiosity for new technologies drives her passion for ingredient science, and she is committed to advancing initiatives that enhance diversity and inclusion.

Camille is an accomplished senior leader in supply chain with a remarkable track record of driving transformation and innovation across global organizations.  She is currently the President of the Blackman Grant Group, where she invests in leaders and small businesses, helping to shape the next generation of industry trailblazers.

Most recently, Camille was the Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain & Procurement at Archer Daniels Midland, where she led global non-commodity sourcing, spearheaded supply chain transformation, and served as Chief Supply Chain Officer for the Nutrition business. She also led enterprise transformation efforts as well as sustainability development.  In her earlier role as ADM’s Vice President of Global Procurement, she built and led high-performing teams, delivering value through best-in-class sourcing, automation, supplier diversity, and analytics.

Camille’s career began at Honeywell International, where she spent two decades progressing from an engineer in manufacturing-earning her Six Sigma Black Belt certification-to senior leadership roles in procurement and supply chain across the company’s performance materials, technologies, and aerospace divisions.

Her impact and leadership have been widely recognized: in 2018, she was named one of the Top Business Women in Illinois by the Illinois Diversity Council and a “Woman Worth Watching” by Profiles in Diversity Journal. Camille also served on the White House National Infrastructure Advisory Council and has chaired the board of the Institute for Supply Management.

Camille holds a Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and economics from Stanford University and an MBA from Louisiana State University.

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Karen Washington is a farmer and community activist, striving to make the New York a better place to live. As a former community gardener and current board member of the New York Botanical Gardens, she worked with Bronx neighborhoods to turn empty lots into community gardens.  

As an advocate, and former president of the New York City Community Garden Coalition, she stood up and spoke out for garden protection and preservation. As a member of the La Familia Verde Garden Coalition, she helped launch a City Farms Market, bringing fresh vegetables to the community.  

in 2010, Co- Founded Black Urban Growers (BUGS) an organization supporting growers in both urban and rural settings. Karen has received numerous awards most recently the co-recipient of the 2023 James Beard Humanitarian Award and the 2024 Emerson Collective Fellowship. She has been credited with the term food apartheid instead of food desert, to bring to the forefront the inequities seen in the food system. Mama K as she is known in the community, serves on the boards of the New York Botanical Gardens, Black Farmer Fund, Soul Fire Farm, the Mary Mitchell Center, and Green Workers Cooperative 

Dru Montri is the Vice President of Agri Food Engagement at Feeding America. She leads a team that collaborates with network members and partners to collectively advance strategies for increasing the supply of agricultural products including produce, protein and dairy for people facing hunger. They support and advance agri food sourcing and sharing processes allowing excess food to be identified and moved to where it is needed most as well as lead efforts to build infrastructure, capacity and capabilities to support accepting bulk agri donations and repacking them to distribute across the Feeding America network.

Dru came to Feeding America in 2021 with nearly two decades of experience in food and agriculture. Previously, she was the Director of Government and Stakeholder Relations for Michigan State University’s (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She remains an adjunct assistant professor in the MSU Department of Community Sustainability. In addition, she held a variety of regional food systems positions including serving as the founding Executive Director of the Michigan Farmers Market Association, Executive Secretary of the Michigan Meat Association, and Chair of the governor appointed bipartisan Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Dru has a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from MSU, a Master of Science in Horticulture from The Pennsylvania State University, and a dual degree Doctor of Philosophy in Horticulture and Community Sustainability with a Specialization in Gender, Justice and Environmental Change from MSU.

Brian Choi is Managing Partner and CEO of The Food Institute, the leading source for food industry news, data, and market trends. He is an experienced financial executive in the food industry, having previously worked in investment banking, consulting, and private equity. Brian serves as a strategic advisor to multiple food and beverage organizations. He is also recognized as a leading food industry expert and thought leader and has appeared on international media networks such as the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, CNBC, and the BBC.

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Deepa is a seasoned Strategy and Operations leader with 25 years of experience across 11 industries, driving financial and human capital success through her expertise in people, process, and innovative technology. As a champion of change, she believes in continuously evolving, learning, and helping others navigate their own journeys. With a passion for technology that fuels her curiosity and a love for travel that broadens her perspectives, Deepa thrives on collaborating with people from all walks of life and embracing new challenges.

Jamie Chadwick is Managing Editor, directing the company’s news division in the Americas. She leads an elite team of writers, analysts, and global correspondents responsible for delivering the latest in breaking agricultural and food industry news to our network of subscribers. Serving previously as a livestock analyst for Urner Barry, she developed the framework for reporting impactful and objective intelligence for those operating throughout the entire agri-food space. Jamie has authored numerous educational resources on behalf of the protein industry and her experience has made her a sought-after speaker at industry events in the U.S., Canada and in Europe. She is a champion of the Women in Food and Agriculture initiative, serving as the Summit Chairman and campaign spokesperson.  

Luana has nearly two decades of experience in the agri-food industry, including roles at major manufacturing companies such as Nestle and AB InBev. During her career, she focused on leading data and intelligence strategies to support industry players in making informed strategic decisions.

At Expana, Luana leads global multifunctional data and analytics teams. Her role involves growing and developing teams that apply quantitative and statistical analysis, as well as machine learning techniques, to enhance Expana’s data, insights, and forecasting capabilities. She also plays a critical role in integrating other businesses as part of Expana’s ambitious expansion efforts.

Luana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Business. Outside of her professional life, Luana enjoys spending quality time with her daughter, often cycling or solving puzzles together. She’s also an avid swimmer, rugby fan, and adventurous diver, constantly seeking new spots worldwide.

As Director of Market Reporting, Tosin has extensive experience in analysing, interpreting, and communicating commodity and agricultural market intelligence across various markets within the food and beverage supply chain. Leading a skilled team of market reporters, she ensures the delivery of reliable commodity prices, insightful market data analysis, and evaluation of critical event impacts on market dynamics. Beyond overseeing day-to-day operations, she provides invaluable specialist knowledge and actionable insights for stakeholders in the food and agriculture industry.  

 

Tosin has a degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan and a Master’s in International Economics, Finance and Development from the University of Surrey.