SPEAKERS

BIOGRAPHY

Matthew Griffin, one of the world's most renowned futurists and foresight experts, thirteen times author, international keynote, and host of the hit FanaticalFuturist podcast, is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global futures and deep futures advisory firm working across the next 50 years, and XPotential University, the world's first free to attend futures and foresight university that's open to all.

A rare talent Matthews ability to identify, track, and explain the impacts of hundreds of powerful emerging technologies and trends on global business, culture, and society has earned him a powerful reputation and a portfolio of clients that include royalty, world leaders, G7 and G20 governments, and many of the world's most respected and recognised brands including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi Group, Coca Cola, Decathlon, Dentons, Deloitte, Disney, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Pepsi Co, Qualcomm, Samsung, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, and many others.

Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, and WIRED, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.

BIOGRAPHY

Miguel joined ECOALF as Head of Footwear Division in March 2017, bringing over 20 years of experience in footwear and innovation with a different approach to manufacturing.

In 2013, he oversaw the first Flip-Flops made from used tires that included the development of a unique process that uses heat and pressure to eliminate the need for toxic and harmful adhesives. In 2018, Ecoalf's collaboration with Felder & Felder received an award at the international PETA Fashion Awards for the 100% vegan collection using Piñatex^® made from pineapple leaf fibres.

Upon a full Life Cycle Analysis, Ecoalf's Yarn sneakers (made with plastic through Ecoalf Foundation's Upcycling the Oceans project) received some of the lowest CO2 equivalents on the market, positioning the company as a reference in sustainability and leading the shift towards zero emissions.

Other collaborations include Camper and Michelin x Cordura^® in which Miguel merged Michelin's reused rubber soles with the most-resistant recycled polyester on the market. Miguel continues to explore the latest material innovations and sustainable practices to continue lowering the industry's environmental impact without compromising on quality or design.

BIOGRAPHY

Francesco has over 15 years in the shoes business with roles of ecommerce manager and commercial director.

He is the CCO and co-founder of two highly successful Italian companies: Future Fashion by Zakeke Group and DIS.

Since 2023, Future Fashion is part of the Zakeke group, an omnichannel platform that helps fashion brands virtualise and customise their collections in 3D, reducing sample costs and increasing sales conversion.

DIS offers the fastest made to order shoe service in the world. Thanks to an end-to-end platform, DIS sells today shoes without producing them, using an omnichannel 3D configurator with over 60 million virtual combinations.

BIOGRAPHY

Yuxiang serves as an Innovator at Li-Ning Brand, conducting footwear technology research across sports categories. His engineering background, market insights, and extensive industry experience boost innovations in various aspects, including novel product structures, advanced testing methods, etc.

Yuxiang is a twelve-year veteran in the sports footwear industry. Prior to his tenure at Li-Ning, he worked for world-renowned brands in the supply chain sector. He holds an MBA degree from CEIBS and he is well-versed in product research, development, commercialization, and manufacturing. His strategic insights into markets and consumer needs have further enhanced his professional acumen, delivering great products and superior performance to athletes.

BIOGRAPHY

Tahsin Akar started his corporate career at Unilever in 1995, and after 17 years of local, regional and global responsibilities in marketing, communication, brand and category management at Evyap and Reckitt Benckiser, he joined Turkcell as Marketing Director in 2011. He carried out the responsibilities of Youth Segment Customer Management along with the transformation of Turkcell Digital Services and Marketing Communications. Tahsin Akar joined LC Waikiki as Deputy CEO in 2016, and continuing his career as Deputy General Manager in LC Waikiki Shoes Category.

BIOGRAPHY

Kubilay Gençkan graduated from Kocaeli University, Political Science and Public Administration Department in 2012 and had worked for Daewoo International Corporation and n11.com. Then, he participated to Alibaba as Business Development Manager in September 2021.

He also has Master's Degree from Boğaziçi University on International Competition and Trade.

BIOGRAPHY

Jon joined Clarks as CEO in April 2022, bringing significant global experience and knowledge of the footwear and apparel market to the global brand.

Jon is a visionary, strategic, and operational executive leader with vast general management and global experience. He has a demonstrated track history of proven results in restructuring and driving growth within organisations.

He joined Clarks from Hanes Brands Inc. where he was their Global President of Global Activewear. Before that, he spent sixteen years at New Balance where over the years he ran the LATAM, EMEA, and North American businesses. He was instrumental in leading transformation, growth, and profitability in the EMEA business and then led the North American multi-channel business.

Prior to joining New Balance, Jon built a background in sports marketing with senior roles at the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, and National Hockey League Players' Association in North America.

BIOGRAPHY

She joined Pikolinos as Lean Promotor in August 2021.

She attained that great dream of being able to reach her objective of boosting continuous improvement with extensive experience whilst experiencing a fascinating sector such as fashion from the inside.

Julia is very passionate about Kaizen, which focuses on the people she works alongside with in an organized manner, with a disruptive spirit, and always having a global vision of the company.

She has achieved great success impelling the Lean philosophy and has proved that simplifying and speeding up processes can improve the degree of customer satisfaction. Julia worked previously as process engineer at Aludium Premium Aluminium where she applied Lean Manufacturing within Production, that saved costs but also improved the production environmental impact. She had also worked before for AMC Grupo Alimentación (a natural food company) where she started on continuous improvement projects. Then, on the first attempt, she obtained the Silver Supplier Validation for the first Spanish company for Marks and Spencer.

Julia has also worked as Financial Planner and Sales department officer for Navantia Shipyards, where she realized that there was a need to work in a more efficient and transversal manner. Upon discovering Continuous Improvement, she continued her education by achieving an Industrial MBA as well as the Six Sigma Green Belt which helped her realise that she had finally discovered her vocation.

BIOGRAPHY

Since 2017 Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors Deichmann SE, responsible for Buying, Sourcing, IT, Logistics and Corporate Development.

He graduated from university in business administration in 1991 (Dipl.-Kaufmann).

Mr. Kroneder has more than 30 years of experience in the retail industry. Before joining the Deichmann Group in 2015 as Managing Director, he previously held various CEO positions and was a Member of the Board of Directors of the Douglas Holding AG.

Mr. Kroneder is an enthusiastic mid-distance runner since his national service time.

BIOGRAPHY

Burak Celet is the General Manager of the premium leather goods brand DESA and the luxury accessories brand NINETEENSEVENTYTWO. The company has a 40 year old heritage combining traditional values of craftsmanship with quality and design. DESA prides herself on the high quality leather goods and accessories, ready-to-wear with an emphasis of leather outerwear, and shoes.

With an impressive educational background, Burak Celet has all the credentials for a successful career. He graduated in May 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Bogazici University in Istanbul. He then went on to secure a Masters in Business Administration in United States and a Masters of Science in Leather Technology in UK, in both of which he graduated with a distinction.

Burak Celet is now responsible for a workforce of 2,000 and a turnover of more than $100 million. After taking the company public in 2004, he led DESA to become one of the largest exporters in its industry employing more than 2,000. He orchestrated a deal with Samsonite Group in 2008 creating a JV for retail and distribution of Samsonite Group brands in Turkey and the neighboring countries. In 2022, he has established the first Turkish leather goods manufacturing facility in Italy catering to the players in the luxury segment. With the number of DESA stores now at 115, he has been instrumental in the success of the company in recent years.

Burak Celet is a family man with 2 kids and enjoys sporting activities such as competing in Ironman distance triathlon events, long distance swimming or sitting in the pilot's seat for an afternoon of flying.

He is fluent in German, English, Italian and Turkish.

BIOGRAPHY

Graduated with honours in 1997 in Environmental Sciences from the State University of Milan and awarded in 2022 by the University of Northampton with an Honorary Doctorate in Fashion Sustainability, Federico works with his team to develop an integrated approach toward "innovative sustainability”, encouraging collaboration between large corporations and small and medium-sized businesses.

In 2009, he founded SPIN360, a company that has grown over time and is specialised in developing new sustainable business models and innovative solutions from a technological and organisational point of view, dedicated (among others) to leather and luxury companies all over the world.

SPIN 360 is highly specialised in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of leather and related supply chains. SPIN is also pioneering the concept of Carbon neutral leather, and it is committed to innovation and promoting sustainable business models in Fashion, Luxury, Interior Design, Automotive and other important sectors.

Federico is also the curator of two inspiring events on innovation in the luxury industry: Lineapelle Innovation Square (www.fashioninnovation.it) and MICAM X (micamx.themicam.com), and has been appointed Scientific Director of the Master in "Fashion Sustainability and Industry Innovation" of the prestigious Accademia Costume & Moda, started in February 2022 in its new headquarters in Milan.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Yuly Fuentes-Medel is a catalyst of creative ideas and ecosystem builder. Program Director at Climate Grand Challenges at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, manager of the MIT Fabric Innovation Hub and Venture Partner at Closed Loop partners. As founder of Value of Science LLC she created DESCIENCE, a global collective of designers, scientists & technologists, connecting the world of science and Design as one. She was selected as Human of the year by motherhood Magazine on 2018 and received the 2015 Boston Business Magazine "Woman to Watch” Award. She graduated with a PhD in biomedical sciences from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Postdoctoral trained at the MIT Sloan School in Technology Innovation & entrepreneurship (TIE). She currently serves as President of the board of the Chile-Massachusetts Alliance to support international exchange of investment, technological business, talent and social impact. She is a past board member of FIT DeTechLab. As a member of Women Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology (WEST), she received a Volunteer Giving back award. She is also an advisor to MIT Delta students' start ups. During her time as a Ph.D. student, she helped pioneer the International workshop called "Small Brains Big Ideas”. So far, this initiative has successfully trained almost a hundred Latin-American students. Trained as a biochemist at University of Concepcion in her native Chile, she is constantly in search of opportunities to support young talent and technologies to make an impact in global markets.

BIOGRAPHY

Living by the motto "Be the change you want to see,” Marco has been implementing Vibram's The Sustainable Way, Vibram's sustainability strategy to turn SDGs into measurable actions and goals. As Vibram is a leader in the footwear component industry, Marco's objective is for the company to be the leader in sustainability among footwear component brands, inspiring others through the company values recognized by consumers.

Originally equipped with an engineering degree, due to his interests and natural strengths in growing teams and developing business, Marco decided to get his MBA. Ever since, he has held leadership roles at a variety of international companies in Italy. With his personal passion for outdoor sports in mind, Marco originally joined Vibram as the Director of Research and Development. With a thorough understanding of materials and innovation gained from years in that position, Marco now serves as Vibram's Sustainability Director since 2018.

Besides his sustainability goals for the company, Marco has a strong, personal conviction towards meritocracy, and in his free time, voluntarily works to promote a meritocratic culture in Italy.

BIOGRAPHY

She is a world-renowned footwear forecaster and visionary, with a broad background in engineering, journalism, marketing and design. She is known to see connections where others do not and to create innovative solutions that improve the footwear industry from the inside out.

Currently she is the cofounder Footwearology LAB in Barcelona. Together with multiple technology partners - such as machine builders, material suppliers and software developers - she aims to create a future where shoes have multiple lifecycles and are manufactured and sold on demand, through transparent, automated, local-for-local manufacturing and distribution systems.

BIOGRAPHY

Luca Boltri is Vice-Director of UNIC Italian Tanneries, the representative body of the Italian tanning industry, which covers over 60% of the European sector in terms of leather production, turnover and companies.

He has responsibilities in most of the fields in which the organisation provides services, including economic intelligence, international projects & relationships, social dialogue, sustainability, legal affairs, industrial policy, promotion and business support.

Luca started to work for UNIC in 2000 for the Economic Department of the association.

He holds a Master Degree in Business and Law Administration at Bocconi University (Milan) and he previoulsy worked for the Italian Trade Agency ICE and for the World Bank.

BIOGRAPHY

Stephen E. Lamar is President and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association, the national trade association representing more than 1,000 brands in the apparel and footwear industry. Steve leads a dedicated team of professionals who represent AAFA members before the government, through the media, and in industry settings on key brand protection, supply chain and manufacturing, and trade issues. Steve also advises AAFA member companies on legislation and regulatory policies.

BIOGRAPHY

The Administrator of the French family-owned SME Richard-Pontvert, the parent company of the footwear label Paraboot, Clémentine Colin Richard runs, in parallel, a consulting firm that helps companies' directors grow their business. In 2021, she was elected president of the French Footwear Federation (FFC), which represents 120 companies ranging from manufacturers to footwear designers, and following on from this, she took over the presidency of the leather sector's incubator, ADC Au-Delà du Cuir.

Paraboot (a combination of «Para», a port in Amazonia where latex was exported from, and «boot», the interesting new shoe discovered by Rémy Richard, the founder of the brand in the US) makes high-end shoes in France for men and women since 1908. Paraboot is a brand of the Richard-Pontvert company. In 2'16, the e company inaugurated its new factory, nested between Chartreuse and Vercors, at the foot of the French Alps. Paraboot is a standard, thanks to the durability and comfort of its styles, and also the quality of its raw materials. The company is proud to belong to the "Made in France” ambassadors thanks to its know-how.

BIOGRAPHY

LU Hua, graduated with a doctor's degree, is currently the Vice Secretary General of China Leather Industry Association (CLIA), where he has been working since 2008. He is also a member of the national technical committee on footwear of standardization administration of China (SAC TC 305), and a member of the leather shoe branch of SAC TC 305. He has participated in many footwear industry research reports on footwear submitted to the government, national and industrial standards, and several leather and footwear industry development plans commissioned by local governments and leading companies.

BIOGRAPHY

Horacio Moschetto has served as the General Secretary of the Footwear Industry Chamber of Argentina since 2003 and has been a Director of the Chamber since 2001. He coordinates the Foreign Trade Department and owns a SME that produces casual footwear. He has been actively involved in the footwear industry for 30 years.

In the performance of its institutional functions, he represents the footwear industry before national, provincial and municipal authorities, defending the interests of the industry. As coordinator of the Foreign Trade Department, he has organized and participated in different actions to promote footwear exports with footwear manufacturing companies: Fairs, international business rounds and trade missions.

He also represents the sector in bilateral international trade negotiations, and in MERCOSUR negotiations with other blocks and countries around the world.

Likewise, he represents the Argentinian footwear industry before Footwear Associations and Chambers of Latin America, Europe, the United States and Asian countries, coordinating joint actions on issues related to industry, employment and sustainability.

BIOGRAPHY

He is the founder of Gensi Group S.r.l. We could say that he was born in the middle of the shoes in the small craft of his parents.

By taking over the company's management in the 1990's, he embarked on an ambitious strategy to promote its manufacturing. They made significant investments in state-of-the-art machinery and hired skilled personnel. This allowed them to become competitive in the panorama of small and medium-sized Italian companies in the province of Teramo, under the brand named Calzaturificio Gensi Group S.r.l.

The brand has attracted internationally renowned customers, and in June 2015, Chanel International B.V. entered the company, which was a decisive turning point. Since then, they specialised in the production of high-end sports shoes. Thanks to their high professionalism and the quality of Made in Italy, their annual turnover rose from 18 million euros in 2015 to about 140 million in 2019.

The Group prioritises investments in highly qualified personnel to meet new production needs. The production team grew from 189 employees in 2015 to over 600 in 2019, up to 700 in 2023. To support this growth, they acquired two new industrial factories, in addition to what they already owned, for a total of 21.500 square meters.

BIOGRAPHY

The Administrator of the French family-owned SME Richard-Pontvert, the parent company of the footwear label Paraboot, Clémentine Colin Richard runs, in parallel, a consulting firm that helps companies' directors grow their business. In 2021, she was elected president of the French Footwear Federation (FFC), which represents 120 companies ranging from manufacturers to footwear designers, and following on from this, she took over the presidency of the leather sector's incubator, ADC Au-Delà du Cuir.

Paraboot (a combination of «Para», a port in Amazonia where latex was exported from, and «boot», the interesting new shoe discovered by Rémy Richard, the founder of the brand in the US) makes high-end shoes in France for men and women since 1908. Paraboot is a brand of the Richard-Pontvert company. In 2'16, the e company inaugurated its new factory, nested between Chartreuse and Vercors, at the foot of the French Alps. Paraboot is a standard, thanks to the durability and comfort of its styles, and also the quality of its raw materials. The company is proud to belong to the "Made in France” ambassadors thanks to its know-how.

BIOGRAPHY

Giovanna Ceolini was born in Legnano, Milan, in 1959.

Since she was a child she has breathed the art and "scent" of footwear in her family.

Having graduated in Accounting, she immediately started working at the Cele Ferrario shoe factory as a secretary and responsible for samples and sales.

In the following years, to broaden and complete his knowledge of the entire supply chain, he held managerial roles in important companies in the leather, footwear and components system.

Later, together with his partner Karlheinz and Thierry Rabotin, he founded "Parabiago Collezioni srl" of which he has been Sole Director since 1999. In over twenty years the company has grown and today has 60 employees, has more than 700 customers and exports to 43 Countries in the world.

In 2011 she became a member of the Assocalzaturifici Board and a member of the School-Training laboratory. In 2014 she was elected President of the footwear section of the Industrial Association of Legnano.

The sporting passion of her children, Andreas and Thomas, brought her closer to "RUGBY PARABIAGO 1948", today at the top of the Serie A rankings; due to her collaborative and relational attitude, and her character, in 2007 she became the only woman to join the company's Board.

Since 2015 he has been Vice President of Assocalzaturifici, first with the Pilotti Presidency and then with the Badon Presidency, always with responsibility for internationalization and focus on the European and US markets.

Since August 2022 he has assumed the role of President and Secretary of the Board of Assocalzaturifici Italiani.

BIOGRAPHY

Sergio Dulio graduated with full marks in Aerospace Engineering in 1981 at the Milan Polytechnic. He began his professional career in the aerospace industry working first abroad and later in Italy. He then moved to IBM where he was in the technical sale support staff for 3D CAD systems (CATIA) until 1987, when his involvement with product and process technologies for footwear started. In this phase of his professional development, he worked both in industry and in research (National research Council of Italy and European research) until 2005. After a few years as a consultant for the associations ASSOCALZATURIFICCI and ASSOMAC, he was called in 2013 to create and manage ATOMLab, the research and innovation division of the ATOM Group, a provider of footwear manufacturing technologies.

Since 2021 he has been Atom Chief Technology and Innovation Officer with the task of reorganizing the R&D department in a view to the evolution from machines to systems and looking at the digital transformation of its processes. Sergio Dulio has long served UITIC, the International Union of Shoe Technicians, as a member of the Executive Committee and of the Congress Scientific Committee.

In September 2023, he was appointed President of UITIC.