ReThink Food Summit Lineup

Her approach blends technical expertise—rooted in her PhD in renewable energy—with strategic leadership shaped by an MBA, allowing her to navigate complex challenges and deliver real impact. Under her direction, the Centre has become a key enabler of process excellence and sustainable growth, helping Ireland maintain its global edge in dairy.

Anne Marie also serves as Vice Chair of RGFI, sits on Bord Bia’s Dairy Board, and contributes to the Advisory Committee for the Biomethane for Carbon and Community Project, supporting Ireland’s transition to low-carbon, resilient food systems

He is the author of the bestselling book Undisruptable: A Mindset of Permanent Reinvention for Individuals, Organisations and Life, a powerful manifesto for thriving in a world of perpetual change.

A former international rugby player for Ireland, Leinster, and Toulouse, Aidan has reinvented himself across multiple domains – from elite sport to digital transformation, innovation, and cultural leadership.

He spent over a decade building the digital ecosystem for Bauer Media Group, served as Head of Innovation for RTÉ, and has since guided transformation programmes for global leaders including Pfizer, Maersk, PayPal, Mastercard, Microsoft, and Mars.

Aidan is a multiple award-winner for the innovation-focused courses he designs – both in
Trinity College Dublin, where he lectures on Emerging Technology Trends and Transformation, and in the corporate world, where his learning experiences help organisations build the mindset and muscle for change.

Today, he also serves on the board of National Broadband Ireland and works with leadership teams as a change consultant, innovation coach, and board advisor. His work is grounded in lived experience and driven by a core belief: transformation isn’t an event—it’s a mindset.

Helena has held senior positions with global organisations and has worked across a range of disciplines, from sales and marketing to international relations, organisation design and leadership development. She is uniquely placed to bridge neuroscience with corporate life, applying insights to the workplace in a way that is practical, relevant and compelling.

A member of the British Psychological Society, Helena delivers compelling messages that are backed by science, grounded in the real world and communicated in a style that engages all of her audiences.

The award-winning podcast has interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs to uncover their founder formula for success in their business, body and brain. He has interviewed people such as Steven Bartlett and Gary Neville.

Gary lectures on entrepreneurship and invests in early-stage companies.

He acts as a pre-competitive senior manager for the industry, focusing on sustainability, ESG policy, and regulatory developments that have a commercial impact on the dairy and specialised nutrition sector in Ireland.

As a former Walsh Scholar of the Year, his research focused on the factors influencing farmers’ use of nutrient management plans. His work examined how the mismanagement of fertilisers can lead to the leaching of nutrients into waterways, causing pollution and loss of biodiversity.

She has been the International Health Regulations (IHR) and ECDC Irish Focal Point representative for emerging infectious threats. She has in-depth knowledge of inter-sectoral collaboration when dealing with complex, societal issues related to infectious diseases. She is highly interested in bringing practical, sustainable and circular solutions to address the single use plastic problem in healthcare and similar industries.

David started his career on the IBEC Export Orientation Programme as a management trainee with Kepak Group before taking on senior commercial roles with Kepak. After joining the Bord Bia Marketing Fellowship programme in Dubai in 2010, David went to work in National Account Management for Unilever, Britvic and Richmond Marketing. His career has seen him work in various international locations including Italy, United Arab Emirates and the UK.

David holds a Bachelor of Business Studies from University of Limerick and an MSc Masters in International Marketing Practice from University College Dublin Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

His research has spanned from products to processes, from biosynthesis of milk to digestion of milk constituents in the human body, and from product and process optimization to sustainable food systems.

He currently combines the roles of Research Professor at University College Cork, Research Fellow at FrieslandCampina, Distinguished Visiting Professor at Victoria University, Visiting Professor at Jiangnan University and Editor-in-Chief of International Dairy Journal. In addition, has been an active member of committees in the International Dairy Federation, Global Dairy Platform and FAO.

A graduate of UCC and Smurfit Business School, who, over a career spanning four decades, held a number of executive roles with Glanbia plc and Glanbia Co-op. Prior to his retirement in July 2024, he held the position of executive director and CEO of Tirlán, Ireland’s largest farmer-owned co-op.

He is Chairperson of FBD Holdings Plc. He is Vice Chairperson of the Governing Body of the South East Technological University and Chairs the Teagasc Better Farming for Water Stakeholder Steering Committee. He is a former Chairman of the Irish Dairy Industry Association and a former director of Ornua Co-operative.

Her core competencies of business strategy and turnaround, in addition to leading award winning communication campaigns has resulted in a track record of sustainable value creation and growth in the businesses and teams she has led.

Dr Wall received her PhD in Neuroscience with a focus on neuroimmunology and electrophysiology, working at University College Dublin and the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London.

She moved from academia into industry as a medical communications specialist based in New York, USA. With a unique perspective gained from molecular biology, clinical research and industry, she joined Nuritas in 2017 where she leads R&D Operations, bringing innovative new ingredients from discovery to commercialisation.