Michael Walsh is Category Manager for cheese at Tirlan. Since graduating with a BSc in Food Business and a Diploma in Dairy Science from UCC Michael has built up over 30 years of experience in both operations and commercial roles within the UK and Irish Dairy Industry. Michael has first-hand market knowledge having dealt with cheese customers globally for many years and is experienced in formulating and delivering on strategy. This market knowledge and technical capability allied with a passion for cheese helps drive cheese strategy and the cheese innovation pipeline at Tirlan.
Archives: Speakers
Rebecca Barron
Rebecca Barron joined the R&D team in Tirlán as Nutrition Manager in 2019. Prior to this, she worked in a number of industry and research roles across various areas in nutrition including research surrounding the cheese matrix. She graduated from University College Dublin with a BSc in Human Nutrition and holds an MSc by research in Nutritional Metabolomics.
Lisa Robinson Sweeney
Lisa Robinson Sweeney is Product Manager for Cheese at Tirlán. After graduating with a MSc in Food Business Strategy from UCD Smurfit School, Lisa has come through the Tirlán Graduate Programme with over 2 years of experience in the Cheese category helping to drive cheese strategy and innovation at Tirlán.
Bibek Das
I am deeply passionate about conceiving and building innovative products that transform customer experiences and build long-term stakeholder value, and taking them to market. My core strength is in managing full product lifecycle. I have 18+ years of experience in building products, product strategies, managing large product portfolios, leading complex, enterprise-wide product development efforts and collaborating with key stakeholders to successfully launch them. I am a Payments industry veteran with experience in building products and solutions for acquirers, processors and networks for 15+ years. I am extremely customer-centric. I have nurtured direct customer relationships and have grown new product concepts to million dollar businesses. I am an entrepreneur who co-founded, built and launched an innovative E-Commerce platform with a virtual wallet. I served on the Technology Committee of the Electronic Transaction Association (ETA).
Greg Witten
Greg joined Verifi in 2019 as Vice President for Sales in North America managing the seller sales team, whose responsibility is to drive adoption of Verifi’s solutions across enterprise businesses. Prior to joining Verifi, Greg spent 15 years with a major payment acquirer where he was responsible for leading multiple sales organizations and initiatives, key in pioneering what is now called the integrated payments segment. He possesses more than 15 years of experience in business management, business development, sales and marketing, strategy and operations across a range of industries. Greg’s experience shows a strong analytic ability, a proven track record of achieving growth and stretch metrics, all while challenging the status quo. Greg holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Colorado.
Greg is based in Denver, and when not trying to save the world from chargebacks and lost revenue, he can be found with his wife and two children exploring the outdoors of Colorado or joining his wife reviewing restaurants and fine cuisine. He is also an avid sports fan, focused primarily on the Denver Broncos and Oklahoma Sooners.
Chris Legaspi
As the Chief Commercial Officer at Archipelago International, Chris Legaspi brings over
25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He is a seasoned and passionate
leader dedicated to delivering exceptional results and creating memorable experiences
for guests. Chris oversees the strategic and operational aspects of the Sales, Marketing,
E-commerce, Distribution, and Connectivity divisions, ensuring alignment with the
company’s vision, values, and goals. He is also responsible for cultivating and
maintaining relationships with international partners, and expanding the global network
and influence.
Chris brings diverse perspectives and experiences to the team, having worked in
various roles and regions across the industry, from hotels to online travel agencies.
Driven by innovation, collaboration, and customer satisfaction, he constantly seeks new
opportunities to grow and improve the business.
In his current role, Chris leverages his expertise in revenue management and
hospitality to navigate dynamic and challenging market conditions, especially during the
COVID-19 pandemic. He has successfully shifted sales towards digital channels and
created targeted campaigns to attract and retain customers. Additionally, he has
implemented data-driven forecasting and pricing strategies to optimize revenue and
profitability, adapting to fluctuating demand and supply.
Chris works closely with internal teams and international partners to ensure alignment
and resilience, enabling the company to sustain operations and uphold the brand’s
values. He has facilitated the adoption of new technologies and platforms to enhance
online presence and connectivity. Proud of his team’s achievements and impact, Chris
looks forward to continuing the journey of excellence and innovation.
Chris is deeply committed to staff development and mentorship, fostering a culture of
continuous learning and professional growth. He actively supports talent development
programs, encourages innovative thinking, and provides guidance to emerging leaders
within the company. His leadership style emphasizes empowerment, collaboration, and
open communication, creating a supportive and dynamic work environment.
In addition to his role at Archipelago International, Chris frequently speaks at industry
conferences and contributes to thought leadership in hospitality management. His
insights on market trends, customer behavior, and digital transformation are highly
valued by peers and industry professionals alike
