Speakers

Anthony Warner

Anthony Warner is an award-winning chef and food writer. He blogs as ‘The Angry Chef’, exposing lies, misinformation and pseudoscience in the world of food. He has written for New Scientist, The Guardian, The Telegraph and the Sunday Times, and his Angry Chef trilogy of books has been translated into fifteen languages.

He currently works on projects to improve the health and sustainability of our food system, reminding people that the best food choices also need to be the most delicious if we want people to eat them.

Anthony’s latest blog – The Obesity Blame Game

John Kinyuru

John Kinyuru is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Food Science and Technology at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya.

He is the Global Vice-President of the Academic Association of Insects as Food and Feed (ASIFF).

His research primarily explores the sustainable production and consumption of edible insects advocating for their integration into mainstream diets to enhance food and nutrition security. John serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Insects as Food and Feed (JIFF) and the International Journal of Tropical Insect Science (IJTIS).

Joseph Oneh Abu

Joseph Oneh Abu holds a PhD in Food Science from the University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. He joined the services of University of Agriculture, Makurdi Nigeria in 1994 as Graduate Assistant and rose to the rank of Professor in 2014. His research is focused mainly on value addition to plant-based foods. Prof. Abu is a former Head, Department of Food Science and Technology as well as Dean, College of Food Technology and Human Ecology, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria. He is a Fellow and the Immediate Past President of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology. He is Married and the marriage is blessed with children.

Christie Tarantino-Dean

Christie Tarantino-Dean joined the Institute of Food Technologists in April 2014 as Chief Executive Officer after more than 30 years of association management experience. IFT is a global scientific association of more than 11,000 members from more than 90 countries. Prior to IFT, Christie led the Association Forum of Chicagoland as President and CEO and served as the Executive Director of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). She also held positions as the Associate Vice President of Member Relations at the Professional Convention Management Association and began her association career as Membership Services Director with the Alabama State Bar. Christie is active in the association community, was named a Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives in 2013, and in 2024 was named the recipient of the Association Forum Samuel Shapiro Award for Chief Staff Executive Achievement.

Dr Christopher Daubert

Christopher R. Daubert, Ph.D., serves as the Vice Chancellor and Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. He is also a Professor of Food Science and Engineering in the Division of Food, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences. Daubert joined Mizzou from North Carolina State University, where he served as a professor and head of the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences; director of the Food Rheology Laboratory; and system co-chair of Food, Biochemical and Engineered Systems. As a professor, his research explained the physical chemistry, molecular-level interactions, and functionality of food systems through an understanding of rheological behavior. Daubert has served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Texture Studies and on the editorial board of the Journal of Food Process Engineering. He is a fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and became IFT President in 2024. Daubert also serves on the board of trustees for the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) and was selected as chair for the academic heads section of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU). Daubert received his Ph.D. in agricultural engineering and food science at Michigan State University, and has been recognized with distinguished alumnus awards from both Pennsylvania State University and Michigan State University.

Carien Schoeman

Carien Schoeman, is a skilled Food Scientist with 13 years of extensive experience in product development and solving technical problems. She holds an MSc in Food Science and is currently the Food Technical Manager at Savannah Fine Chemicals. Carien has specialized in bakery and confectionery innovation and played a significant role in launching various new products, fostering innovation, and training. She has a specific interest in high quality protein products and finding innovation in this area.

Johnes N David

Johnes is a versatile and seasoned business leader with over 20 years’ experience in the Food Industry: Extensive expertise and hands-on experience in strategy formulation and execution, Financial modelling for manufacturing enterprises, Change and Strong management acumen, Systems/Process re-engineering and commited enthusiasm in devising and implementing work plans for accelerated business growth.

Johnes has held various positions of increasing responsibility in the FMCG sector while switching seamlessly between strategy and operations: Served as business leader and CEO for six years at Kaliti Food Share company (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) with full responsibilities on business turn-around (loss to profitability), expansion and portfolio growth as well as re-modelling the overall business structure.

Prior to Ethiopia, Johnes managed UNGA Ltd Nairobi’s Industrial area factory handling both Maize and Wheat milling plants as well as Porridges and the Pulses businesses. From 2006 -2012, he worked at America ’s Corn Products International (currently Ingredion plc) as Operations Manager for the business’s soleCorn wet milling plant in Africa: Later appointed to the Global Innovation and Continuous Improvement Team representing the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa). Johnes has rich experiences with cereals processing, fresh produce exports, Avocado oil extraction, pasta/biscuits manufacture, fruits and vegetables processing just but to mention a few. As a Consultant, he has advised and assisted many SME ’s in East Africa to navigate through daily business challenges; Also engaged in promoting consumption of fortified whole grain foods through numerous initiatives … carrying out processors mapping for gaps and potential scoping and capacity development through technical assistance under different projects/programs in different countries.

Johnes is a certified QMS auditor, Executive coach for managers and a Kaizen practitioner. He holds Masters in Strategy Mgt., a BSc. Degree – Food Science and Technology (Nairobi University) and Trainings in Process Engineering. He is passionate about growth in the entire food supply chain especially when dealing with agri-based formations that promote improving food productivity, quality and safety

Mandla Nkomo

Mandla Nkomo has a rich, twenty-five year career in the African agri-food sector. He currently serves as the CEO of Partners in Food Solutions. Previously he served as chief growth officer for CGIAR’s Excellence in Agronomy Initiative.

After studying biochemistry and food science in college, he started out working in agricultural production where he helped farmers solve challenges like access to markets, finance and lack of technical know-how. He also has experience in the food processing space, including running a small dairy factory. Mandla has previously worked with the international organizations TechnoServe and Solidaridad.

He has a strong belief in the potential of the African continent and its people, and is committed to contributing to transitioning the food and agriculture space to a point where it is sustainable, supports livelihoods, and provides safe, healthy and nutritious food to its people.

Elikplim Agbitor

Elikplim Agbitor is a sustainability practitioner with over 15 years’ experience in the development and implementation of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) best-practice requirements in agriculture and forestry.

Over the past eight years, he has been heading the Africa operations of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO); providing strategic, operational and technical leadership aimed at optimising the production and use of RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil. He also leads multi-stakeholder / multi-sectoral processes aimed at mainstreaming sustainability across the palm oil supply chains in Africa.

Elikplim holds Master’s Degrees in Forestry and Environmental Science, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Renewable Natural Resources Management.

Márcia Terra

I am a registered dietitian in Brazil with over 30 years of experience in sweetener communication. I specialize in Clinical Nutrition (USP), hold an MBA in Marketing and Consumer Sciences, and have professional culinary training. As a food and beverage industry consultant, I translate scientific and regulatory topics into accessible, evidence-based messages. I collaborate with organizations such as IFIC (USA) and ISA, and I serve as First Secretary of the Brazilian Society of Food and Nutrition (SBAN), as well as a Council Member of the National Association for Diabetes Care (ANAD). I am also an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (USA) member

Yolande Schulz

Yolande Schulz is a Regional R&D Director at McCormick, leading product innovation and strategy across markets like Europe, Middle East and Africa.

With 15+ years of experience in the industry, she combines technical expertise with a human-first leadership philosophy.

Yolande is passionate about inclusive innovation, mentorship, and building resilient teams that thrive in complexity.

As a working mother and keynote speaker, she brings a unique lens to driving transformation through both science and storytelling.

She is the founder of her Edit to Thrive platform, helping professionals connect leadership to real life with honesty, empathy, and impact.

Anja Laubscher

Dr. Anja Laubscher is a Food Scientist at Sally Ann Creed, specializing in quality assurance, product development, and product management. She holds a PhD in Food Science from Stellenbosch University, where her research focused on the application of Near Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy — a rapid, non-destructive, and efficient analytical technique — for detecting mycotoxins in maize.

With a solid academic foundation and hands-on experience, Dr. Laubscher has made significant contributions to the use of NIR spectroscopy for analyzing fumonisins, a mycotoxin which have been linked to esophageal cancer cases in South Africa’s Transkei region. This research underscores her dedication to advancing food science and improving public health outcomes in South Africa.

Currently, she is expanding her practical expertise in the food industry through her role at Sally Ann Creed, where she has deepened her understanding of food safety and labelling regulations, as well as the operational dynamics of working within a wellness-focused company.
As part of her ongoing professional development, Dr. Laubscher has benefited from mentorship by Yolande Scholtz, which has helped refine her skills and broaden her industry perspective. At the SAAFost conference, she will share insights on the importance of mentorship and how it helped her to bridge the gap between research and industry.

Bryson Bolton

Bryson C. Bolton is a sensory science professional with over 15 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. He has led sensory programs at a research agency and a flavor company and has held roles at several multinational food companies. His academic experience includes positions as a lecturer and adjunct professor. Currently, he is the Director of Strategic Growth at Compusense, a leading software company for sensory and consumer research, where he leads sales, marketing, and strategy. A committed contributor to the field, Bryson has served on the IFT Board of Directors, advises Cornell University’s Food Science Department, and mentors early-career professionals.

Miles Kubheka

A passionate serial entrepreneur and changemaker on a mission to drive positive change in South Africa, a country he firmly believes to be the best in the world. With the audacity of hope and innovation, he transforms dreams into reality. His influential story resonates across the cultural landscape of both South Africa and beyond, inspiring others to embrace the spirit of entrepreneurship and contribute to the country’s greatness. As a thought leader, he fosters an entrepreneurial mindset in individuals (across walks of life) and organizations, making a lasting impact on the nation’s business landscape. Accomplished in business, he founded Vuyos and later, Wakanda Food Accelerator & Gcwalisa. Beyond entrepreneurship, he serves on the board of the food rescue organisation, SA Harvest, further cementing his commitment to making a positive difference in South Africa.

Debora van der Merwe

As a highly creative and dynamic Food Scientist, Debora is passionate about driving innovation in the food industry through science, strategy, and storytelling. With over a decade of hands-on experience in New Product Development (NPD), Food Legislation and Consultancy, she brings a rare blend of academic insight and real-world expertise. 13 years in the food industry include: leading NPD at Babylonstoren, launching numerous successful food products, hosting workshops, invited public and academic talks and advising clients on allergen labelling and risk at FACTS. Debora now lectures and does research at Stellenbosch University, where she equips future food scientists with the tools to shape a healthier, more sustainable food future. Rooted in agricultural heritage (she grew up on a farm) her work bridges tradition and transformation. She is not just shaping food products—she’s shaping the next generation of thinkers and makers in food science.

DJ Sbu

Sbusiso Leope, popularly known as DJ Sbu, is a South African award-winning social entrepreneur, DJ, TV & radio host, music producer, actor, bestselling author, motivational speaker & philanthropist who thrives on giving back to the youth of Africa. He is considered by many as an African youth icon.

The brand, DJ Sbu has shaped youth culture and their thinking in South Africa over the past 15 years since 2001. Despite his tough upbringing in Tembisa, he has overcome obstacles on his journey and made a name for himself using his media talents on national television and radio.

Over the past decade Sbusiso has worked on national platforms exposing his brand and personality to 25 million people per week. Sbusiso first made a name for himself in the music and entertainment industry. His company TS records of which he is a co-owner has produced and continues to produce hit music and popular artists in South Africa with continental appeal.

His most recognized projects are his Y-Lens DJ compilations, Mzekezeke – a masked Kwaito character, the ‘late’ Brown Dash’ & the current success story that is Zahara.

Jessica Boonstra

Jessica Boonstra is the founder and CEO of Yebo Fresh, a fast-scaling B2B e-commerce platform on a mission to empower South Africa’s underserved township communities through smart technology and inclusive innovation. Launched in 2019 from her garage, Yebo Fresh grew into a powerful force for change, leveraging data, last-mile logistics, and field intelligence to unlock access for informal retailers. Since its acquisition by Smollan in 2025, the company now reaches over 72,000 spaza shops and 145 midi wholesalers, supported by a 220-strong township-based team. Dutch-born, Jessica brings global retail experience and a deep personal passion for building impact at scale.