Mr Prasad Pant

Director, South Asia, ZDHC Foundation

Prasad is responsible for the representation and implementation of the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme in the South Asia region and also manages the Competence Centres that provide knowledge based services to the ZDHC Community. Prasad has a degree in Textile Chemistry and 30 years of experience in textile processing, dyes & auxiliaries manufacturing & marketing and chemical management systems implementation.

Ms Sophie Mather

Co-Founder and Executive Director, The Microfibre Consortium

Sophie Mather is the Co-founder and Executive Director of The Microfibre Consortium (TMC). As thought leader on sustainable innovation, she brings first-hand experience, innovative thinking and network to the industry challenge of microfibre release within the clothing industry.

Mr Suhas Khandagale

Global Material Innovation & Strategy Manager, H&M Group

Suhas Khandagale is the Global Material Innovation & Strategy Manager at H&M Group. With more than 15 years within H&M Group he worked on different roles in India, Srilanka, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and China. At present Suhas is responsible for activities related with sustainable materials & process innovations, while leading the H&M group’s long term sustainable materials goals.

Ms Aslihan Memisoglu

Research Associate, Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences

Aslihan Memisoglu graduated from Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences with a Bachelor's degree in Textile Technology. After studying abroad at the University of Manchester and Victoria University of Melbourne, she finished her Master's degree in Textile Products. She currently works as a research associate at the A.U.G.E. Institute and conducts research in the areas of sustainability, occupational safety and health as well as chemicals management. She is presently in the German-Indonesian project EnaTex.

Mr Andrea Venier

Managing Director, Officina+39

Andrea Venier started Officina+39 in 2007, focusing on technology and processes for the denim and fashion apparel industry. While he is focused on managing his company now, Andrea maintains his keen interest in research and development. He and his team patented an innovative technology called RecycromTM.

Mr Carlo Centonze

CEO, HeiQ Materials AG

Carlo Centonze started his professional career as co-founder of the ETH Spin-off Myclimate, one of the world’s leading providers of carbon offsetting measures today. Since 2004, he has been serving HeiQ as CEO, developing the firm from two founders – himself and Dr. Murray Height - to a 240-employee company.

Mr Demian J.F. Yeh

Technical Manager, Technical Marketing & Service Division, Everlight Chemical Industrial Corporation

Demian J.F Yeh is responsible for technical marketing activities. developing, training, and providing technical guidance in Everlight Chemical. He is experienced in global marketing and customer service, delivering technical support, consulting, training and troubleshooting. Damien has 30 years of experience in the technical application of textile dyeing.

Ms Evelyn Lempa

Research Scientist, Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences

Evelyn Lempa finished her Dipl.-Ing. Textile Technology in 1988 and her Master of Science Textile Products in 2012 at Niederrhein University. Her professional career started in South Africa, continued in South Korea, and then back to Germany. Since 2006, she is back to her roots as a research scientist at Niederrhein University.

Ms Jana van den Bergen

Innovation Manager, Fashion for Good

Jana van den Bergen is an Innovation Manager at Fashion for Good, the global platform for sustainable fashion innovation. Jana is responsible for scouting, assessing, and enabling sustainable technological innovations while supporting them in moving from piloting to implementation. Her work includes orchestrating projects such as the Fashion for Good D(R)YE Factory of the Future Project.

Mr Praharsha Fonseka

Material Sustainability Innovation Manager, Adidas

Praharsha Fonseka is a Material Sustainability Innovation Manager at Adidas, focusing on innovative ways to add color and functionality to apparel, accessories and footwear. He has a background in chemistry and has 10 years of professional experience in manufacturing, innovation, and commercialization of textile & apparel coloration and finishing technologies.

Mr Per Stenflo

CCO and Cofounder, imogo AB

Per Stenflo is the CCO and cofounder of imogo AB and has many years of experience from commercial leadership in an international company with high focus on global exports. imogo aims to bring textile wet processes in to the 21st century in a sustainable and economically viable manner.

Dr Thomas Schäfer

Senior Expert, Bluesign Technologies AG

Dr Thomas Schäfer is an expert on textile chemicals and sustainability in the textile supply chain. With 30 years of experience, Dr Thomas Schäfer, senior expert of bluesign® ACADEMY and a lecturer at University of Applied Science Hof, recognises that knowledge is essential to drive positive impact.

Dr Tova N. Williams

Research Assistant Professor, North Carolina State University College of Textiles

Dr Tova N. Williams is a Research Assistant Professor in the Textile Engineering, Chemistry & Science Department at NC State University. She is also the Principal Investigator of The Sustainable Dye Chemistry Laboratory which designs and develops environmentally benign dyes and dyeing processes for textiles and other materials.

Mr Ullhas Nimkar

Chairman, NimkarTek Technical Services Pvt. Ltd

Mr Ullhas Nimkar is the Chairman of NimkarTek Technical Services Pvt. Ltd, and also the President of the Society of Dyers and Colourists – UK for the year 2022- 2023. Nimkar lectures extensively on Ecological issues in Textiles and Sustainability, and is currently associated with ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) and is on their MRSL Advisory Council.

Mr Yawer Ali Shah

Co-Founder & CEO, AMA Herbal Laboratories Private Limited

Mr Yawer Ali Shah is a pioneer of sustainability. His leadership made AMA Herbal a world-renowned name in Natural Dyes. He is the project leader of the ISO panel for making natural dye identification standards and the BIS panel for making a Natural Dye Mark.

Mr Andrew Filarowski

Deputy Chief Executive, Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC)

Mr Filarowski completed his BSc (Hons) in textile chemistry at Leeds University, School of Textiles. A sought-after speaker at international conferences, he is a member of numerous textile standard committees and on the editorial advisory board for the Journal of Textile Design, Research and Practice. He has consulted with many associations involved in raising environmental issues and providing solutions to the industry for a cleaner industry tomorrow.

Ms Diana A Wyman

Executive Vice President, American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC)

AATCC is a professional association and standards development organisation for the global textile industry. Ms Wyman has been involved in all aspects of textile testing — from managing a contract lab to developing specifications for a retail brand, and participated in the standards development process for AATCC and textile-related committees of ASTM, IEC, IPC, and ISO. She holds degrees in fashion merchandising, textiles, and business administration, and is currently pursuing a PhD in fibre and polymer science.

Mr Frank Michel

Executive Director, The ZHDC Foundation

Mr Michel is the Executive Director of the ZDHC Group, a global multi-stakeholder initiative focusing on sustainable chemical management. ZDHC’s Roadmap to Zero Programme leads the textile, leather, apparel and footwear industry towards eliminating hazardous chemicals from the supply chain. Today, ZDHC has over 170 contributors and offices in 5 regions.

Mr Janak Mehta

Chairman, Asia Dyestuff Industry Federation (ADIF)

Mr Mehta is the President of The Dyestuffs Manufacturers Association of India (DMAI). Since 2018, he became the first Chairman of the Asia Dyestuff Industry Federation (ADIF). He is a nominated member of many government committees and international forums. Under his leadership, DMAI has organised several conferences on colourants. He has led multiple delegations to various countries and has chaired many conferences.

Mr Stefano Cavestro

President, Associazione Italiana di Chimica Tessile e Coloristica (AICTC)

A delegate council member of the International Federation of Associations of Textile Chemists and Colourists (IFATCC), and a veteran of the textile industries, Mr Cavestro has a wealth of knowledge in dyes and dyeing mechanism, finishing and coating processes. He has been working within the chemical industry to find innovative solutions for customers in new technical textiles applications, particularly in filtration, active, work and protective wear.