Asiafruit Business Forum speakers

Amelia Li

Zespri International

Amelia Li is vice-president of marketing for Greater China at Zespri International.

Vivian Wang

Dole China

Vivian Wang is marketing director of Dole China and has 16 years’ experience in marketing and promotion. Vivian joined Dole China in 2019 and excels in creating blockbuster products, product development, brand promotion, integrated marketing, and public relations planning. She successfully spearheaded PR projects for Dole with Shanghai Disneyland, Universal Studios, and the China International Import Expo (CIIE). Through brand revitalisation and targeted marketing, she has significantly enhanced Dole’s brand awareness and influence. Before joining Dole China, she worked in the fashion industry at companies such as Lilang and Tesoro, where she developed cross-domain marketing strategies.

Kenneth Wee

Idaho Potato Commission

Kenneth Wee is Asia director at the Idaho Potato Commission. He is also CEO of Total Agri Marketing, which provides commodity branding and marketing services in the Asia region to support the industry’s long-term market growth and value. He has been a reputable and well-versed food and agribusiness marketer for over 25 years. Wee is a DBA candidate with Help University and industrial advisor to Multimedia University’s Faculty of Business.

Patrick Vizzone

International Fresh Produce Association

Professor Patrick Vizzone is a global financier, investor, and agri-food tech founder. He is a co-founder and CFO of Vertical Oceans, executive director of DiMuto and founder and managing partner of AgroNovare. Patrick is the incoming chair elect and an executive committee member of the International Fresh Produce Association. With a lifelong experience in the fresh produce industry, Patrick has served as a founder, financier, industry advocate, and academic.

Miriam Wolk

International Fresh Produce Association

Miriam M. Wolk, CAE serves as chief membership officer for the International Fresh Produce Association.  In her role, she is responsible for strategic oversight of all activities related to member recruitment, retention, engagement and volunteer leadership activities across the association’s global markets. Miriam is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and speaks and authors articles on topics related to association management, volunteer leadership, and membership best practices.

Ben Hoodless

International Fresh Produce Association A-NZ

Ben Hoodless is managing director A-NZ at the International Fresh Produce Association, the largest and most diverse international association serving its members in the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain. Ben has over 20 years’ experience working in Australia, New Zealand and Asia for large multinational R&D companies. He has a global mindset, and is committed to delivering value for IFPA members in the region and globally.

Adele Ackermann

ClemenGold International

Adele Ackerman has worked in the fruit Industry for 23 years, with a focus on creating consumer demand and building B2C relationships through innovative fruit branding. At ClemenGold, the business philosophy aims to create a customer experience and connect the product with its brands through in-market brand activation and eye-catching packaging.

Claudia Soler

Frutas de Chile - Cherry Committee

Claudia Soler is executive director of the Chilean Cherry Committee of Frutas de Chile, the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association. This committee is a non- profit private entity whose members represent 85 per cent of Chilean cherry exports. Its role is to facilitate and contribute to the production process and international marketing of the Chilean cherries and defend the interests of its associates. Soler has 20-plus years of experience in international business and stakeholders’ relations with focus in agricultural industry.

Carlo Magni

Forward Insight & Strategy

Carlo Magni is global consumer insights director and partner at Forward Insight & Strategy, a leading consultancy that delivers consumer insights and strategic business advice for agrifood industries. He works with global clients such as Zespri, T&G, Dole, Sunkist, and Westfalia on breeding, innovation and branding.

Xie Yong

Pagoda

Xie Yong is vice-president of Pagoda and president of the Three-Zero Vegetable Business Unit. He is dedicated to applying BLOF technology to transform Chinese agriculture by focusing on the protection and improvement of soil. His mission is to enable more people to enjoy fruit and vegetables that are free from chemical fertilisers, chemical pesticides, and chemical hormones.

Tom Stenzel

CEA Alliance

Tom Stenzel is executive director of the Controlled Environment Agriculture Alliance, a membership association that represents and serves indoor vertical farms and high-tech greenhouse producers that grow fruits and vegetables in a highly controlled indoor production environment. Tom served as president and CEO of the United Fresh Produce Association for 29 years, then helped launch the International Fresh Produce Association – combining United Fresh and the Produce Marketing Association. He served as co-CEO of IFPA until March 2022, before forming his own consulting business The Stenzel Group.

Jessica Naomi Fong

Common Farms

Jessica Naomi Fong is the founder of Common Farms, which aims to revolutionise urban agriculture in Hong Kong. Her cutting-edge company leverages indoor, climate-controlled facilities and smart automation to maximise crop yields in limited spaces, addressing the city’s heavy reliance on food imports. Driven by her expertise in the food and beverage industry and a passion for sustainable food systems, Fong has transformed a 300 sq ft room into a thriving 10,000 sq ft indoor growing facility. Common Farms’ commitment to sustainability has earned it acclaim for delivering high-quality, pesticide-free produce to leading hotels and restaurants in Hong Kong and Macau.

Lionel Wong

Upgrown Farming Asia

Lionel Wong is the managing director of Upgrown Farming Asia, a CEA agritech consultancy that provides farm design, crop science, system integration, project management, farm management and supply chain solutions for commercial indoor farms and greenhouses in Asia.

Marc Oshima

Oshima Good Food

Marc Oshima is passionate about improving our food system and has been a pioneering global force for indoor vertical farming and the broader CEA space. He co-founded AeroFarms, which was recognised by Fast Company as one of The Most Innovative Companies in the World, and by Time for Best Invention in Food.

Andrew Sim

Baker McKenzie

Andrew Sim is an intellectual property partner in Baker McKenzie’s Hong Kong office, where he leads the IP enforcement and litigation practice. He is also global chair of the Plant Variety Rights Practice. which includes the registration and enforcement of plant breeders’ rights, plant-related licensing, and regulatory issues.

Alanna Rennie

Bloom Fresh International

Alanna Rennie is chief legal officer at Bloom Fresh International, a leading fruit breeder specialised in table grapes, cherries, and raisins. Alanna has worked extensively with Plant Breeder’s Rights and legal issues in the plant innovation space, and is equipped with in -depth knowledge and experience of the China market.

David Smith

Bloom Fresh China

David Smith is general manager for Bloom Fresh China, a subsidiary of Bloom Fresh International, which plays a crucial role in advancing the table grape industry in China. With a strong agricultural background from growing up on his family’s orchard in Cashmere, Washington, David has combined practical experience with academic excellence, holding a China MBA Certificate from Jiao Tong University and a BA in Economics. Based in Shanghai and with over 15 years of hands-on experience in China’s fruit industry, David has been instrumental in introducing innovative practices and fostering international collaborations.

Tony Martin

Prevar

Tony Martin has a professional background in sales, marketing and international business. He has been CEO at Prevar since 2021 and leads a team based in New Zealand and Australia. Working closely with key partners such as the global AIGN network and Plant & Food Research, Prevar’s role is to develop and commercialise world leading apple and pear cultivars, and it has a strong portfolio of brands and varieties grown in multiple countries around the world.

Steve Alaerts

Foodcareplus

Steve Alaerts is partner and director at Foodcareplus, a Remant Group division which specialises in logistics for perishables, particularly fresh produce. With 19 years in the field, Steve’s focus includes sustainable supply chain management and reducing food waste. As a board member and chair of IFPA’s Supply Chain Council, Steve contributes significantly to industry advancements, emphasising innovation and efficiency.

Yang Jianfei

Sunhola Group

Yang Jianfei has played a key role in the development of Sunhola Group, holding several important positions including executive deputy general manager of the Gaobeidian market, general manager of the smart cold chain subsidiary, and vice- president of Sunhola Gaobeidian market. To promote the growth and expansion of the fruit trade at Shouheng Gaobeidian market, Jianfei established the Sunhola Fruit and Vegetable Association in 2021. He actively recruited high-quality agricultural wholesalers and provided them with a broader platform for development. Leveraging the association’s extensive resources, he facilitated connections with major production regions across China, working tirelessly to ensure smooth distribution of agricultural products, especially fresh produce.

Ivo Tunchel

StePac

Ivo Tunchel is business development manager at StePac PPC, South America. A post-harvest expert with over 27 years’ experience in the fresh produce industry, Ivo applies postharvest knowledge, engineering skills, and a pragmatic approach to help develop new products and drive their commercial success. This includes the development of solutions for export of Galia and Cantaloupe melons by sea from Brazil to Europe; solutions for sea freight of white asparagus from Peru to Europe; and the development of automated solutions for bulk packing of blueberries and cherries. Ivo holds an engineering degree from the Mackenzie University in São Paulo, Brazil.

Karl McDermott

DeltaTrak

Karl McDermott is a three-time founder and five-time CXO. In various roles as board member, mentor, advisor and event speaker, he has 35 years’ experience in freight tech, strategy, innovation and SaaS, and is skilled in building digital services, market share and cash flow. Currently he is Chief SaaS Officer at DeltaTrak, a Silicon Valley pioneer of cold chain logistics.

Felicia Tao

DFI Lucky

Felicia is country commercial director of DFI Lucky based in Cambodia. Felicia kick-started her retail career in the fresh produce and floral categories. She now manages a widened portfolio of categories across all divisions and has experience in multiple East Asia markets.

Sayuri Sakihama

PromPeru

Sayuri Sakihama Meléndez is a lawyer and international business administrator, with a master’s degree in Environmental Management and Auditing. She has more than 13 years of experience working in the public and private sectors, including nine years at the Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Exports and Tourism (PromPeru).