Nici Bush, Chief Innovation, Science and Technology Officer, Mars, Inc.

Nici Bush is a global member of the Mars Leadership Team. As Chief Innovation, Science and Technology Officer, she oversees all aspects of Technology, Innovation, Quality and Food Safety, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs. She is Secretary of Mars’ Technology Committee – a committee of the Mars Board driving evidence-based and scientific conversations on key areas such as health & wellbeing, nutrition, supply chain resilience and sustainability. Nici’s career at Mars spans three decades, multiple business disciplines and numerous regions and countries. She has deep expertise in manufacturing operations and supply chain, R&D and General Management across Mars Snacking, Petcare and Food. She also spearheaded the enterprise “Future of Work” program embedding lessons from the pandemic to create a set of flexible work practices positively impacting the Associate experience and business results for years to come and is an active champion of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion agenda, specifically supporting people with disabilities and women in leadership.

Dan Edwards, CEO, Science Group

Dan Edwards is the CEO at Science Group PLC. He holds a Master's degree in Engineering from Cambridge University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Dan began his career at Rolls-Royce. He later joined Sagentia Innovation which became part of Science Group PLC. In 2022 he founded Science Group CTO Forum to discuss and address critical questions facing Board-Level executives in R&D. The forum's discussions have predominantly focused on sustainability. The CTO Forum has published their findings in the business press, aiming to share their learnings with others in the industry who are tackling the same challenges of delivering business returns and environmental gains.

Dr. René Lammers, Executive Vice President and Chief Science Officer , PepsiCo

Dr. René Lammers is Executive Vice President and Chief Science Officer for PepsiCo. As head of Research and Development (R&D), René spearheads forward-thinking strategies across innovation, research and development for PepsiCo’s global food and beverage brands. He ensures that stringent food safety, quality and regulatory standards are maintained across all stages of production, safeguarding consumer trust and upholding PepsiCo’s commitment to delivering products of the highest caliber. René also assumes a pivotal role in championing R&D-driven sustainability initiatives, collaborating across sectors, categories and functions to promote a more sustainable food system. His visionary leadership and vast expertise are driving novel solutions for knowledge capture, virtual-first innovation and portfolio transformation, paving the way for a future-forward approach to R&D.
René has nearly 30 years of R&D experience in the CPG industry. Since joining PepsiCo in December 2010, René has held several senior leadership positions within the R&D function, most notably steering a company-wide approach to positively shape the future of global beverage consumption. René previously served as the Chief Operating Officer for the R&D team and the functional leader for Food Safety, Regulatory and Scientific Affairs and Nutrition team, playing an instrumental role in accelerating the global foods and beverages portfolio transformation by delivering science-based technology unlocks. Prior to PepsiCo, he worked at Unilever, pioneering innovative techniques and reinventing staple household and personal care brands.
René currently holds a board seat at New York Hall of Science and serves as a commissioner for the National Commission on the Innovation and Competitiveness Frontiers, an initiative of the U.S. Council on Competitiveness. He received his Doctor of Philosophy in Organic Chemistry from the University of Delft in The Netherlands. While a Dutch native, René has lived in several countries, including the UK, The Netherlands, and Thailand. He is currently based in Purchase, NY. He and his wife Louise are proud parents of their two sons Ryan and Kai.

Natasha Santos, Crop Science Division Vice President, Head of Sustainability & Strategic Engagement, Bayer AG,

Natasha Santos is a seasoned senior executive boasting 19 years of expertise in the agriculture, food, and life science sectors. Recognized as a trailblazer in advocacy campaigns, strategic policy foresight, and global partnerships, she has consistently demonstrated leadership in founding and expanding engagement programs and business opportunities across diverse industries.

Throughout her executive career, Mrs. Santos has successfully founded and grown engagement programs with external partners, across multiple industries and sectors. She is driven by a passion for transformation and a knowledge that a rising tide lifts all boats: as value chain leaders, we benefit most when we listen to and empower the individuals whose lives we affect every day.

Currently serving as Bayer's Head of Sustainability & Strategic Engagement, Mrs. Santos employs her collaborative approach to drive agricultural transformation, aligning with elevated standards in sustainability, regeneration, productivity, efficiency, and equality. Committed to Paris Agreement climate goals, Natasha and her team, strategically integrates sustainability into business and research priorities, fostering collaboration with public and private entities within the food system.

Natasha holds degrees in international relations, international negotiations, and a Master's in Public Policy and Management. She actively contributes to various global initiatives, holding roles such as Vice Chair of the Business at OECD Food and Agriculture Committee, member of the Task Force for Nature Disclosure (TNFD), the World Economic Forum Champions for Nature Network, and Advisory Board member of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).