Donald is the Executive Director of the Global Dairy Platform (GDP), based in Chicago USA, and serves as Chairman of the Dairy Sustainability Framework, Chairman of the International Agri-Food Network (IAFN) and Chairs the Private Sector Mechanism (PSM) to the United Nations Committee on World Food Security (CFS).GDP was formed by four of the world’s leading dairy companies in 2006, its mission is to align and support the dairy sector to promote sustainable dairy nutrition. GDP’s work programme spans; Nutritional Security, Sustainability, Dairy Development, Marketing/Communications and engaging on behalf of the dairy sector with the United Nations agenda. Today GDP has more than 90 members from across the globe. Before joining GDP in 2010, Donald spent 10 years with Fonterra Cooperative Group Ltd. in a variety of roles including Managing Director, Oceania; Director, Business Development and Director, Ingredients Marketing. While with Fonterra Donald represented the cooperative on the boards of many of its joint venture businesses in Asia, Africa, Middle East and Europe. Prior to his involvement in the dairy sector, Donald spent 10 years as Chief Executive of New Zealand’s largest independent business and information management consulting firm where he oversaw its international expansion, opening offices across South East Asia.

Sara is the Chief Sustainability Officer at Elanco where she provides technical expertise on sustainability issues to customers and supports Elanco’s Healthy Purpose. Prior to Elanco, she was the senior director for sustainable beef production research at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and an assistant professor in sustainable beef cattle systems at Oklahoma State University. She received her PhD in Animal Biology from the University of California, Davis, and a BS in Animal Science from Cornell University.

Dr. Stephan Peters is nutrition science manager at the Dutch Dairy Organization (NZO) since 2015. In this function he coordinates and carries out research on healthy and sustainable diets. Before, Dr. Peters worked at the Netherlands Nutrition Center as science and quality manager and participated in the Dutch food dietary guidelines. Dr. Peters also was a product developer in clinical nutrition at Danone Research, the Netherlands, and at TNO Pharma, the Netherlands. Dr. Peters’ PhD was on the topic of nutrition in involuntary weight loss (cancer cachexia).

Karen Ross was appointed secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) on January 12, 2011, by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. Secretary Ross has deep leadership experience in agricultural issues nationally, internationally, and here in California. During Secretary Ross’ tenure, the Department has focused on core functions to protect and promote California agriculture in a time of significant budget reductions, and it has emphasized change-management to position the agency to more effectively and efficiently serve its stakeholders in meeting the challenges of the 21st Century. Secretary Ross has strengthened partnerships across government, academia and the non-profit sector in the drive to maintain and improve environmental stewardship and to develop adaptation strategies for the specific impacts of climate change. Ross has initiated programs to provide greater opportunities for farmers and ranchers to engage in sustainable environmental stewardship practices.

Kimberly is the Global Head of Procurement for Commodities in Nestlé, where she is responsible for a global team managing commodity procurement activities. Her previous experience started in the NZ Dairy Industry before moving to the UK and working in supply chain and procurement roles in FMCG companies. She joined Nestle in 2009 where she has focused on global sourcing strategies and risk management across commodities based in UK, Singapore and Switzerland.

Dr. Judith Bryans is the Chief Executive of Dairy UK. She took over the running of the organisation in October 2013. Prior to that she was Director of The Dairy Council, a position she held from 2006. Judith was elected President of the International Dairy Federation in 2016 and served a four-year term in that role. After completing her term as IDF President, Judith was made an Honorary Member of the IDF and is also the Chair of the IDF Task Force on the UN Food Systems Summit. Judith also served on the Board of the Global Dairy Platform. At a European level, Judith is a member of the Board of the European Dairy Association (EDA). In the UK, Judith is a Board member of a number of organisations including Dairy Energy Savings and the Milk Marketing Forum. Judith has a PhD from King’s College London and is a Registered Nutritionist.

Frank Mitloehner is a professor and air quality specialist for Cooperative Extension in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Mitloehner has served as chairman of a global United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) partnership project to benchmark the environmental footprint of livestock production. Dr. Mitloehner serves as the North American scientific lead for the Global Feed LCA Institute. Dr. Mitloehner is workgroup member on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) and member on the National Academies of Science Institute of Medicine (IOM) committee on “A Framework for Assessing the Health, Environmental, and Social Effects of the Food System”.

Gregory D. Miller, Ph.D., M.A.C.N., Global CSO for National Dairy Council, and Adjunct Associate Professor in the department of food science and human nutrition at the University of Illinois. Dr. Miller is also Nutritional Security Sector Lead for the Global Dairy Platform and is recognized as a leading voice in the global food system. Dr. Miller is currently leading the effort to enhance dairy’s contributions toward a more sustainable food system by examining the intersection between nutrition, health, food insecurity, and environmental impact. Dr. Miller is a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry and served on the editorial board of many other journals.

Ermias Kebreab is Associate Dean of Global Engagement and Director of World Food Center at University of California, Davis. He holds the Sesnon Endowed Chair in Sustainable Agriculture. He conducts research in nutrition modeling and impact of livestock on the environment. He is contributing author to 2019 IPCC update, and chaired the feed additive and methane committees of FAO of the United Nations. He has authored over 250 peer-reviewed articles and received several awards including Excellence in Ruminant Nutrition and International Agriculture from American Society of Animal Science. He is a member of the Board of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the US National Academy of Sciences. He is regularly an invited speaker and gave a TED talk in 2021. His research was in the top 10 of all research conducted at the University of California system in 2021.