Laura has over ten years’ experience working in alcohol marketing regulation. In the UK, Laura leads the Portman Group’s self-regulatory function and is responsible for developing regulatory policy in relation to alcohol marketing issues. Laura has worked with the industry and UK Government to develop the Portman Group’s new marketing guidance for Alcohol Alternatives with this set to be launched in January 2024.
Prior to working in the alcohol industry, Laura worked for Deloitte and the UK Direct Marketing Association in regulatory roles.
Patrik Hansson (1967)
Nationality: Swedish Position: CMO, Executive Vice President Marketing and Innovation Experience: Patrik has 28 years of international commercial roles in consumer goods companies in finance, marketing, sales and general management. Patrik worked for 13 years in Procter and Gamble, mainly in marketing, before he joined Arla Foods in October 2011 as VP Marketing and Sales in Sweden. In 2015 he moved to Malaysia to start up Arla’s regional headquarter in South East Asia. He then returned back to Europe in 2016 and then held the roles of Group Vice President in Sweden, and later in Germany, before taking up the current role as CMO in 2022. Education: Master degree in Engineering Physics from Chalmers and a Master Degree from Gothenburg University.
João is a seasoned business leader with over a decade of diverse experience across various industries. Renowned for his creative vision and strategic acumen, he boasts a proven track record of spearheading transformational programs that cultivate intrapreneurship. João has been at the forefront of innovation, notably driving the success of initiatives such as the Nestlé Hatcher open innovation platform.
In his current role as the leader overseeing the transformation and innovation of the Nestlé Dairy business in the MENA region, João continues to demonstrate his unique approach to business. Under his leadership, the Nestlé Dairy business in the MENA region is navigating an era of change and positioning itself as a frontrunner in innovative practices that future-proof the organization.
Leading by example, João encourages corporate leaders to embrace new endeavors that not only align with their business objectives but also bring significant value to their organizations.
With an MBA from Henley Business School and an unwavering passion for lifelong learning, João continues to make a profound impact on the world of business, steering organizations toward success in an ever-evolving landscape.
Madalina Vasile, Director of Patient Recruitment Strategy, holds a master’s degree in Biophysics and Medical Physics. Prior to joining ARENSIA in 2013, she was a senior researcher at the Romanian National Institute of Atomic Physics, where she contributed to numerous national and international scientific projects. Her passion for science and patient advocacy inspired her transition to drug development at ARENSIA Exploratory Medicine, where she has spent over a decade leading key departments, including patient recruitment, feasibility, and project management.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Madalina played a crucial role in managing large Proof of Concept trials that paved the way for the approval of innovative antiviral therapies by the EMA and FDA.
In 2022, in recognition of her dedication, expertise, and outstanding performance, she was assigned the task of establishing two new ARENSIA clinics in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Under her leadership, these clinics have become among the most successful in ARENSIA’s portfolio.
In her current role, Madalina drives the development and implementation of patient recruitment strategies across ARENSIA’s clinics, ensuring the rapid delivery of sophisticated Proof of Concept trials.
Florian Altendorfer, Sales Manager at GUGLER Water Turbines, is a dynamic professional responsible for technical sales as well as GUGLER’s marketing activities worldwide. As a graduate of Graz University of Technology with a degree in mechanical engineering, Florian brings a strong technical background to the sales team. His expertise as well as his fluency in German, English, and Spanish contribute to the successful promotion of GUGLER’s innovative hydropower solution across the Americas.
Mr. Michael Schober is a mechanical engineering graduate from the Technical University of Graz. He has been serving as the Head of Technology and Development at GUGLER Water Turbines since 2010. With proficiency in German, English, Czech and Spanish, Mr. Schober oversees the development of GUGLER’s turbines, model tests, as well as all computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element method (FEM) simulations crucial to project execution.
His long-standing role at GUGLER has been instrumental in the company’s technological advancement and growth. Michael Schober’s technical expertise and leadership have played a vital role in driving the company’s position in the field of hydropower, contributing to the effective utilization of small hydropower in existing dams.
Alois Gugler is co-owner of GUGLER Water Turbines and serves as the Managing Director of the company. With over 30 years of experience in marketing, sales, financing, and project management for hydropower and industrial plants, Mr. Gugler brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the company. He has held top-management positions within the Voest Alpine and VA TECH Group in Austria, Venezuela, and Brazil, and is proficient in German, English, Spanish, and Portuguese, facilitating international collaboration.
