Speakers

Rosie Dawson-Hewes

3R Group

Rosie is a straight-talking, plain language advocate who translates real-world data and insights into technically accurate, strategic communication as Qualitative Insights Lead, which inspires behaviour change. She’s worked in banking, journalism, marketing, and advertising, including creating national and international campaigns and packaging for FMCG, agriculture, and retail. She’s passionate about reducing waste and environmental impact through pragmatic, sustainable solutions which actually work in real life.

Carmen Doran

NZ Food Champions 12.3

Carmen Doran is Interim Executive Director of NZ Food Waste Champions 12.3, the organisation leading Kai Commitment, New Zealand's voluntary agreement to halve food waste by 2030. Kai Commitment brings together food manufacturers, retailers, distributors and hospitality businesses to measure food waste, share best practice and accelerate action across the food system.
Working with leading businesses throughout Aotearoa, Kai Commitment supports organisations to reduce food waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve operational efficiency and strengthen food system resilience. Through collaboration, data and practical solutions, the programme is helping drive measurable progress towards New Zealand's food waste reduction goals.Carmen brings extensive experience in operational excellence, sustainability and industry collaboration, helping organisations turn ambitious commitments into meaningful action and measurable results.

Natalie Martin

3R Group

With nearly two decades' experience in food and sustainability, Natalie has a wealth of technical knowledge and expertise in both materials and product development. Her experience spans product development ideation through to commercialisation, alongside a strong base in research and analysis. She also has insight into food safety and integrity and brings this strength to 3R Group’s work in sustainable packaging and end-of-life waste solutions as Head of Innovation and R&D.

Klaeri Schelhowe

GS1, New Zealand

Klaeri has over two decades of international experience in product identification, traceability and supply chain optimisation. Her background includes executive roles at Avery Dennison and NOVEXX Solutions, as well as experience in traceability software and digital transformation.
At GS1 New Zealand, Klaeri leads the industry-wide transition of digital labelling and the 2D barcode program, working across the fresh produce sector, food processors, retail and technology providers. She helps organisations apply global standards to improve product identification, recall management and supply chain visibility. Her work focuses on connecting physical products with trusted digital information to enable more granular traceability, faster and more targeted recalls, provenance, improved food safety and greater supply chain efficiency. She also supports businesses in responding to evolving customer, regulatory and export-market requirements.
Klaeri works closely with industry and government, bringing stakeholders together and deploy new  technologies into practical, scalable solutions that deliver measurable value across the different sectors and supply chains.

Emily Thomas

Fonterra Research and Development Centre

Emily Thomas is a Senior Packaging Research Technologist at Fonterra Research and Development Centre (FRDC). With expertise in packaging technology, food manufacturing, and environmental science, Emily focuses on making sustainability improvements to the packaging used to protect and distribute products globally. Emily's work involves exploring cutting-edge packaging material technologies and collaborating with suppliers to ensure commercial viability and performance consistency.