Meet our WEO Cartagena Speakers
Find out more about our inspirational speaker line-up for the 2025 Global Leadership Conference in Cartagena.
Dr. Abongile Balarane
SAPA, South Africa
Dr. Abongile Balarane is the CEO of the South African Poultry Association (SAPA), and a member of the WEO Executive Board. Following South Africa’s recent announcement of its plan to mass vaccinate against avian influenza, Dr. Balarane will share valuable insights into this journey, including strategies to date and next steps for this programme. Dr. Balarane will also deliver a presentation on the annual Galliova Awards, an initiative that recognises excellence in food and health content creators who promote local chicken and eggs, and contribute to South African food culture.
Alberto Romo
PROAN, Mexico
Alberto Romo is the General Manager of Proteína Animal (PROAN), the largest fresh egg producer in Mexico and one of the largest in the world. PROAN is a family business founded in 1950 and run by the Romo family, with vertically integrated operations, from hatchery to egg processing and distribution in Mexico and abroad. Under Alberto’s leadership, PROAN has remained dedicated to innovation and optimisation. This forward-thinking mindset goes back to the visionary founder of the company, Don Manuel Romo, whose philosophy is “What is good, can always be better”. Alberto will sit on the Egg Producer Leadership Panel, sharing his insights and perspectives on the future of the global industry alongside three other major egg business leaders.
Dr. Alberto Trejos
Professor of Economics, INCAE Business School, Costa Rica
Dr. Alberto Trejos was Costa Rica’s minister of foreign trade, a position from which he led the negotiation of the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). He has a distinguished academic background, including a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Trejos’ influence extends globally through his leadership positions in organisations like the Brenthurst Foundation and the Democracy Lab, where he continues to advocate for sustainable development and democratic principles. As a trusted advisor to governments, international bodies, and corporations across diverse regions, his insights and guidance have played a crucial role in shaping policies and strategies aimed at promoting economic prosperity and social progress. In Cartagena, he will explore what makes Latin America tick, and how is it ticking in this new global economic environment.
Ben Dellaert
WEO AI Global Expert Group & AVINED, Netherlands
Ben Dellaert is the Director of AVINED, which represents the complete production chain for the production of poultry meat and eggs in the Netherlands. He has been a member of the WEO since 1999 and served as Chairman between 2015 and 2017. Ben chairs the WEO Avian Influenza Global Expert Group, a combination of top experts and scientists from across the globe that have been brought together to propose practical solutions to avian influenza in the short, medium and long term.
Chad Gregory
UEP, United States
Chad Gregory is president and CEO of United Egg Producers (UEP), a cooperative of US egg farmers working collaboratively to address legislative, regulatory and advocacy issues impacting the industry. Chad joined UEP in 1999 and assumed his current position in 2013. Chad will provide an update on the latest developments regarding avian influenza in the US, including industry-led efforts towards vaccination, lessons learned, and strategic next steps.
Dr. Daxin Peng
Professor, Yangzhou University, China
Dr. Daxin Peng is a Professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Yangzhou University in China. He serves as the Director of the National Specialized Laboratory of Avian Influenza (Yangzhou), the Director of Jiangsu Research Centre of Engineering and Technology for Prevention and Control of Poultry Disease, and the Leader of Excellent Scientific and Technological Innovation Team in Jiangsu Province. Dr. Peng’s research focuses on avian influenza, including epidemiology investigations, pathogenicity and immune mechanisms, as well as the development of novel detection techniques and vaccines. In Cartagena, he will share his wealth of expertise and knowledge on ‘Vaccination Strategies and Insights for the Control of HPAI in China’, exploring how China have used mass vaccination combined with strict biosecurity to turn the tide on HPAI.
Dr. Diana Sarita Nieto
FENAVI, Colombia
Dr. Diana Sarita Nieto is Technical Director at Federación Nacional de Avicultores de Colombia (FENAVI), where she plays a crucial role in promoting, supporting, and coordinating initiatives in avian health, animal welfare, and food safety in primary production, in close collaboration with government entities such as ICA, the Ministry of Agriculture, and other relevant authorities. She specialises in Veterinary Epidemiology, with over 20 years of technical and coordination experience in Colombia’s poultry sector. Dr. Nieto will provide an update on Colombia’s efforts to combat avian influenza, including insights on the journey to AI vaccination.
Ed Hoffman
AEB, United States
In his role as Head of Global Marketing & Communications at American Egg Board (AEB), Ed oversees the development and implementation of a strategic integrated marketing programme for the US egg industry. Under his leadership, AEB shapes comprehensive initiatives that protect and preserve the industry’s reputation and drive demand for eggs and egg products across all channels of the food industry. In Cartagena, Ed will offer insight into the organisation’s egg nutrition positioning and consumer marketing campaign.
Elwyn Griffiths
Griffiths Family Farms, UK
Elwyn Griffiths is a second-generation co-owner of Griffiths Family Farms, a leading egg producer and packer in the UK. The company, founded in 1955, remains family-owned and operated, boasting 70 years of experience in agriculture and egg production. Elwyn will sit on the Egg Producer Leadership Panel, sharing his insights and perspectives on the future of the global industry alongside three other major egg business leaders.
Emily Metz
AEB, United States
Emily Metz, President and CEO of the American Egg Board (AEB), leads the US egg industry’s marketing and research efforts, driving consumer engagement and industry growth. With a background in law, agriculture, and food policy, she has held leadership roles at the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the National Pork Board, and the USDA. Emily will share an update on AEB’s efforts to boost consumer excitement and demand for eggs in the US.
Gonzalo Moreno
FENAVI, Colombia
Gonzalo Moreno is the President of the Federación Nacional de Avicultores de Colombia (FENAVI). In his role, he has guided the industry through incredible growth in production and consumption, with Colombia set to reach one egg a day per person this year. During his presentation in Cartagena, he will share insights from transformative projects that have significantly contributed to Colombia’s remarkable egg sector growth.
Dr. Javier Prida
CAPIA, Argentina
Dr. Javier César Prida is the President of the Cámara Argentina de Productores Avícolas (CAPIA). He is passionate about promoting the benefits of eggs to Argentinians, supporting the growth of the industry and overcoming challenges as they arise. Dr. Prida has been instrumental in leading national campaigns that have increased the per capita egg consumption from 144 to 363 in the past 20 years.
Jorge Bedoya
Sociedad de Agricultores de Colombia (SAC), Colombia
Jorge Bedoya serves as President of the Sociedad de Agricultores de Colombia (SAC). Drawing on more than a decade of leadership in Colombia’s agricultural sector, anchored by deep expertise in the egg industry, he has earned a reputation as a transformative figure. He will be sharing the story of Colombia’s agricultural sector, and how coordination, collaboration, and a unified voice can unlock growth, strengthen rural resilience, and drive improved food security.
Marcus Rust
Rose Acre Farms, United States
Marcus Rust is the second-generation family owner and Chief Visionary Officer of Rose Acre Farms, one of the leading egg producers in the United States. Founded in 1939, Rose Acre Farms started as a small family chicken farm in rural Indiana and has grown significantly over the years through innovation and expansion. Under Marcus’s leadership, the company has focused on quality, service, and integrity, maintaining its commitment to its founding family values. Marcus will sit on the Egg Producer Leadership Panel, sharing his insights and perspectives on the future of the global industry alongside three other major egg business leaders.
Nan-Dirk Mulder
Rabobank, Netherlands
Nan-Dirk Mulder is Senior Global Specialist in Animal Protein at Rabobank, providing strategic insights on the global livestock, meat, and egg industries. With a background in agricultural economics from Wageningen University, he has advised on key industry issues across all continents. A sought-after speaker at international conferences, Nan-Dirk offers deep analysis of market trends, trade dynamics, and sustainability. At WEO Cartagena, he will share global perspectives on the future of the egg industry, including global growth projections, changing consumer trends, supply-chain shifts, future egg business models, and egg market disruptions like avian influenza, feed market volatility, and rise of cage-free.
Dr. Olivier Espeisse
IABS, France
Dr. Olivier Espeisse is a veterinary leader with over 30 years in global pharmaceutical Public Affairs. After graduating from Maisons-Alfort Veterinary School in 1981, he began in dairy medicine before transitioning to international industry roles. Now retired, he consults on Public Affairs and serves as Chairman of the International Alliance for Biological Standardization (IABS), a non-profit whose mission is to improve access to vaccines and biological medicines.
Peter van Horne
WEO Economic Analyst, Netherlands
Peter van Horne is the WEO Economic Analyst and a senior farm economist at Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands. Recognised as Europe’s leading Poultry Economist, Peter specialises in high-impact research for both government and industry, with a focus on the economics of animal welfare, environmental sustainability, animal health, and global competition. He has played a pivotal role in shaping the WEO’s statistical services. At the upcoming Cartagena conference, Peter will offer a global snapshot of egg consumption trends, drivers and growth opportunities.
Ricardo Faria
Global Eggs, Brazil
Ricardo Faria, a Brazilian entrepreneur, is the founder and Chairman of Global Eggs. Global Eggs is the world’s second-largest egg producer, with a total flock of 43 million birds, and operations in Brazil, Spain, and the United States.
In Brazil, Ricardo established Granja Faria in 2006, which today is the country’s largest and most recognised producer of commercial eggs, hatching eggs, and day-old chicks, producing 16 million eggs daily. In Spain, HEVO Group, acquired in 2024, is the country’s second-largest commercial egg producer, with a strong regional presence and a diverse product portfolio. And in the United States, recently acquired Hillandale Farms is one of the country’s top four egg producers.
With a forward-looking vision, Ricardo’s entrepreneurial drive and deep understanding of agribusiness have made him a prominent figure in Brazil’s food industry and a key voice in the future of global egg production.
Sharon Gai
International Keynote Speaker, United States
Sharon Gai is an international keynote speaker on artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation, with business experience in both East & Western environments. She brings a fresh voice to the speaking world as someone who is able to bridge different age groups and corporate cultures. In her tenure at Alibaba, she advised brands and heads of state in crafting their digital strategy with programmatic marketing and AI. During Sharon’s presentation in Cartagena, she will deep-dive into the transformative effects of AI on business, exploring the tremendous opportunities and challenges it presents.
Tim Yoo
Ganong Bio, South Korea
Tim Yoo is Marketing & Sales Director at Ganong Bio, a leading third-generation egg production business that produces, packs and delivers eggs and egg products in South Korea. With a clear vision and strategic approach, Tim has played a crucial role in Ganong Bio’s continued success, navigating challenges like the pandemic and evolving buyer behaviours. Tim will sit on the Egg Producer Leadership Panel, sharing his insights and perspectives on the future of the global industry alongside three other major egg business leaders.
Vasco Masías
Grupo Alimenta, Peru
Vasco Masías represents the second-generation of Peruvian family business La Calera, and is Founder and President of Grupo Alimenta, incorporating Ovosur. La Calera is the leading egg producer and marketer in Peru, founded by (Tayo) Estuardo Masias Marrou in 1970. Ovosur was founded by Vasco in 1997 and is the leading Peruvian company in the production of egg products. Vasco will tell the story of the family business, share the story of eggs in Peru, and explore his perspectives on the future of the Latin American egg industry.