Mitra O'Malley

Managing Director and Co-Founder - The ITB Group

Ms. O’Malley is one of the founding partners of The ITB Group in 1992. As Managing Director, she focuses on technology feasibility and business development activities in automotive acoustics, interior and exterior. Her specific areas of specialty include cabin technologies (materials, processing and function integration). Ms. O’Malley has 40 years of
experience in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Lowell
with a Master’s degree in Plastics Engineering.

Dr. Joel Kopinsky

Managing Director and Co-Founder - The ITB Group

Dr. Kopinsky (Ph.D. Chemical Engineering and MBA) is responsible for The ITB Group’s consulting assignments in energy storage, vehicle emissions, and hydrogen-based systems for mobility. In addition, Dr. Kopinsky leads ITB’s work related to start-up mentoring and M&A transactions. Over the past 30+ years he has completed a variety of strategic and technical feasibility consulting projects for leading suppliers, OEMs and investment banks in North America, Europe and Asia. Over the last few years, Dr. Kopinsky has been involved with mentoring several start-up organizations and is a board member at Mazlite (Toronto, Canada). In the 1980’s, Dr. Kopinsky worked at the General Motors Research Labs followed by the completion of his MBA at Columbia University. On the side, Dr. Kopinsky is an avid clarinetist and long-haul hiker.

Kristen Siemen

Former VP & Chief Sustainability Officer - General Motors

Ms. Siemen is a board member and former General Motors C-suite executive with deep expertise at the intersection of automotive technology, product development, and sustainability. Her career spans engineering, manufacturing, and large-scale operations, with hands-on leadership across EVs, electrification, ADAS, software-defined vehicles, safety, and energy systems. She is widely regarded as a thoughtful and trusted voice on the industry’s transition to a more sustainable, electrified, and software-enabled future. Ms. Siemen currently serves on and advises boards across technology, clean energy, and industrial sectors, bringing a pragmatic, system-level perspective to growth and transformation. Ms. Siemen holds a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Oakland University.

Isiah Thomas

Chairman and CEO - Isiah Enterprises

Rich James

Global Marketing Director Mobility Science - Dow Automotive

Rich James is Global Marketing Director for Dow’s MobilityScience Sustainability platform and Specialty Plastics business, where he leverages Dow’s chemistry portfolio to help global automakers advance circularity and carbon-reduction goals. He also chairs the American Chemistry Council’s Durable Goods Leadership Team and serves on its Automotive Committee. Mr. James holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Brigham Young University.

Jelle Saint-Germain

Sales Engineer - AD REM

Mr. Saint-Germain works as a Sales Engineer for Ad Rem and has been involved with the start-up and commissioning of many plants, focusing on the separation of metals and plastics from shredder residue. He is also responsible for various flotation plants worldwide and has been involved in numerous research projects related to the optimization of material flows in recycling processes, removing hazardous substances from recycled plastics, and developing sampling devices. Mr. Saint-Germain holds a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Ghent, Belgium.

William Crane

CEO - OrbAid

Mr. Crane is an entrepreneur, executive, and recognized thought leader in sustainable business innovation, as well as the founder of OrbAid. Additionally, he is the co-founder of the Ann Arbor Sustainable Innovation Meet-up and engages in AI and sustainability research with the University of Michigan. Mr. Crane holds a Bachelor and Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan and is an ISM Certified Professional in Supply Management.

Carla Toth

Senior Vice President Corporate Strategy - Nexus Circular

Ms. Toth is a senior executive with more than 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, and general management within the plastics and specialty chemicals industries. In addition to her current strategy leadership role at Nexus Circular, she has held similar roles at GreenMantra Technologies and Pinova. Ms. Toth holds a Chemical Engineering degree from Virginia Tech and an Executive MBA from Duke University.

Christopher Bradlee

Sustainability Manager, Performance Materials - BASF

Coming soon!

Nicholas Hammond

Product Sustainability and Compliance Manager - Shawmut

Mr. Hammond is a Product Sustainability Engineer who specializes in sustainability and life cycle assessment for soft automotive interiors including decorative surface textiles and formable multi-ply composites. Mr. Hammond created the company’s Life Cycle Assessment System and achieved third-party certification to ISO 14040/44 standards. In addition to monitoring the production stream, he also works with suppliers to quantify environmental impacts across the supply chain to identify and implement impactful sustainability initiatives. Mr. Hammond holds an MS in Textiles from North Carolina State University and a BS in Polymer and Fiber Engineering from Auburn University.

Dr. Robert Pell

CEO - Minviro

Dr. Pell is the Founder and CEO of Minviro. He has over a decade of experience advising mining, battery, and advanced manufacturing clients on LCA, carbon footprinting, decarbonization, and regulatory compliance. He is actively engaged in shaping emerging sustainability regulations and contributes to industry working groups focused on life cycle data, verification, and digital product passports. Dr. Pell holds a PhD in Life Cycle Assessment from the University of Exeter.

Dr. Michael Faltenbacher

Director Transport & Mobility - Sphera

Dr. Faltenbacher is Consulting Director for Transport and Mobility at Sphera (formerly thinkstep). With more than 25 years of experience, he specializes in producing Product Carbon Footprints and Life Cycle Assessments and applying these tools in the evaluation of fuel and propulsion technologies for light- and heavy-duty vehicles. His work supports regulatory reporting and decarbonization strategies in the automotive sector for compliance with the EU Battery Regulation and EU Carbon Border Adjustment mechanism. Dr. Faltenbacher received his education from the University of Stuttgart.

Gina Oliver

Senior Director, Durable Markets Advocacy - American Chemistry Council

Ms. Oliver leads the American Chemistry Council’s Durable Goods Market Advocacy group, setting strategy to advance sustainable plastics through responsible public policy. She advises Congress, federal agencies, and global organizations on the role of durable plastics in addressing challenges such as automotive sustainability. Her background includes global automotive regulatory and product support, trade association leadership, and public policy advocacy. Ms. Oliver holds an MBA from Wayne State University.

Marco Meloni

Chief Operating Officer - Plastic Recycling Inc.

Mr. Meloni is a recognized expert in the field of plastic recycling and compounding with over 27 years of international experience transforming waste into high-value polymer solutions. As the Chief Operating Officer of Plastic Recycling Inc., he oversees the transformation of post-consumer and industrial plastics into automotive-grade compounds. He also helped build one of the most sophisticated plastic labs in the U.S., capable of advanced material characterization, performance validation, and OEM-compliant product development. His strategic focus bridges the technical, regulatory, and sustainability demands of modern mobility.

Dr. Mike Siwajek

Vice President of Research and Development - CSP

Dr. Siwajek is Vice President of R&D at CSP, where he has held various positions of technical leadership through company transitions over his 25-year employment. As a recognized leader in composites, he has played a key role in advancement of lightweight FRP materials in the global automotive industry and is a trusted speaker and contributor at plastics and automotive conferences worldwide. Dr. Siwajek is co-inventor on more than 60 patents and holds a Ph.D. in Synthetic Organometallic Chemistry from Purdue University.

Dr. Ellen Lee

Technical Leader Advanced Polymer Technology - Ford Motor Company

Dr. Lee is Technical Leader of the Advanced Polymer Technologies Department at Ford Research and Advanced Engineering, with more than 25 years of experience developing polymer-based technologies for automotive applications. She leads research in sustainable materials and processing, EV battery materials, engineered polymer systems, and polymer additive manufacturing, and serves in leadership and advisory roles with SPE, SME, and Women of Ford. Dr. Lee holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.

Jordan Ginsbach

Quoting and Sales Engineer - AGS Technology

Jordan Ginsbach is an Engineering Manager and Project Manager at AGS Technology who brings a practical, engineering-focused perspective to material and process decisions. With over ten years of experience in injection molding, he has worked in molding simulation, tooling engineering, processing support, and manufacturing execution for high-performance applications, including recycled materials. Mr. Ginsbach holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Graphics and Technology from Purdue University.

Zack Cohen

Customer Liaison for Automotive Applications - AGS Technology

Mr. Cohen is a Sales Engineer and Key Account Manager at AGS Technology, where he partners with customers, making innovative engineering solutions that produce quality injection-molded plastic components and successful product launches. With OEM senior engineering experience in design, powertrain, fuel efficiency and noise/vibration, he is also a Design for Six Sigma Black Belt and a named patent holder. Mr. Cohen holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Management from Clarkson University.

Bridget Grewal

Director Packaging Continuous Improvement - Magna

Ms. Grewal is Director of Packaging Continuous Improvement at Magna International, where she leads global strategies to optimize packaging systems, reduce environmental impact, and improve efficiency across 338 facilities worldwide. Her work includes packaging recycling, returnable container programs, sensor technology integration, and ISPM-15 compliance. As a recognized industry voice, Ms. Grewal contributes to organizations such as the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment and is committed to advancing circular economy and sustainable supply chain principles. She holds a B.S. in Packaging from Michigan State University.

Ana Sofia Almagro

Global Project Lead - Global Impact Coalition

Coming soon!

Kai Lammel

Senior Project Manager, Innovation Excellence - Global Impact Coalition (BASF)

Coming soon!

Karen Guzman

Automotive Marketing & Sustainability Manager - Covestro

Coming soon!

Matthew Korey

Associate R&D Staff - Oakridge National Laboratory

Coming soon!

Dr. Amber Hubbard

R&D Staff Member - Oakridge National Laboratory

Dr. Hubbard is an R&D staff member in the Manufacturing Science Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where her research focuses on natural fiber polymer composites, polymer processing, and inherently recyclable materials for industrial applications. She earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Auburn University and her PhD from North Carolina State University, where she was an NSF Graduate Research Fellow. Prior to joining ORNL, Dr. Hubbard completed a National Research Council postdoctoral fellowship at the Air Force Research Laboratory, specializing in vitrimer composites.

Dr. William Gramlich

Associate Professor - University of Maine

Dr. Gramlich is an Associate Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Maine. At UMaine, he is also cooperating faculty with the Advanced Structures and Composites Center and the Forest Bioproducts Research Institute. The research of his group focuses on sustainable polymers and materials, next generation paper coatings, biomaterials to control cell behavior, and fundamentals of polymer science. Professor Gramlich received his PhD in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Chemistry from the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Yaoli Zhao

Postdoctoral Associate - Tufts University

Dr. Zhao is a Postdoctoral Associate at Tufts University specializing in multimodal sensing, infrared spectroscopy, and AI-enabled materials characterization. Her research combines microdevice-level sensitivity and infrared selectivity to develop high-throughput tools for identifying plastics, recycled content, and emerging contaminants. Dr. Zhao pioneered standoff IR sensing and AI-guided multimodal platforms for challenging waste streams, supporting circular-economy regulations. Her work spans sustainable materials, automotive recycling, and data-driven environmental monitoring, with 18 publications, three invention disclosures, and multiple awards.

Charlotte Harper

Product Sustainability Engineer - Rivian

Ms. Harper is a Product Sustainability Engineer at Rivian with over 10 years of experience in the transportation sustainability sector in both the UK and USA. She has led life cycle assessment for the UKRI-funded RECOVAS battery circularity project and held sustainability roles at Connected Places Catapult and Jaguar Land Rover. Ms. Harper holds a Master’s degree in Renewable Energy Engineering from the University of Exeter and a Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Value Chains from the University of Cambridge.

Paul Salach

Product Leader, Type 30 and SUSTAINA - Owens Corning

Mr. Salach currently serves as the Americas Product Leader for Type 30 Single End Roving and Global Product Leader for Sustaina® Glass Fibers. He began his career at Owens Corning as a member of the Supply Chain Leadership Program then became a Strategy Analyst where he provided executive level recommendations on organic growth opportunities across Owens Corning’s businesses. Mr. Salach holds a bachelor’s degree in applied engineering sciences from Michigan State University.

Dr. William Tenn III

Senior Research Associate - INVISTA

Dr. Tenn is a Senior Research Associate at INVISTA and co-developer of a commercialized world-scale process for producing adiponitrile, a key nylon 6,6 intermediate. Dr. Tenn is also the inventor of two commercialized process technologies that improve process yields and reduce waste from the manufacturing of nylon intermediates. His current work is focused on developing chemical recycling technologies for nylon 6,6. Dr. Tenn holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Southern California.

Prashant Bhokardole

Staff Engineer - PHINIA

Mr. Bhokardole is a Staff Mechanical Engineer at PHINIA, leading sustainable product development for fuel systems in North America to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He has over 18 years of experience in simulation-driven design in the automotive and energy sectors and has multiple patents in valve train systems, emissions control, and turbine technologies. Mr. Bhokardole has also authored publications on innovative methods for evaluating mechanical strength. He holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.

Jason Park

Senior Application Technology Engineer - Ascend Performance Materials

Mr. Park is a Senior Application Development Engineer at Ascend in the Structural Applications area, where he leads the development and validation of innovative lightweight solutions including metal-to-plastic conversion and anti-vibration technologies, helping customers improve performance, durability, and sustainability. He has over 25 years of experience in advanced plastic part design, development, and validation. Mr. Park holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Ulsan in Korea.

Andrew Mittermiller

Business Manager ECO - Zeon Chemicals

Mr. Mittermiller is the Business Manager of the Hydrin® Epichlorohydrin Elastomers line, where he supports global Zeon customers using his commercial leadership and technical knowledge from 15 years working as a development and application chemist. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from The Ohio State University.

Dr. Cosimo Carfagna

Senior Business Development Engineer, Transportation - Arkema

Dr. Carfagna is a Senior Business Development Engineer in the Transportation segment of Arkema High Performance Polymers. Over his 30 years’ experience, he has gained his technical expertise through working in many company locations and diversified environments in 3 countries and by authoring publications in applied polymer science. Mr. Carfagna holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University “Federico II” of Naples, Italy, and completed post-doctoral research at the Universities of Naples and Salerno and at Case Western Reserve University.

Matt Boback

Senior Manager, Battery Applications - Henkel

Mr. Boback is Senior Manager of Battery Applications for Henkel’s Adhesive Technologies division in North America, with 28 years of experience developing adhesive and sealant solutions for the automotive and electrification markets. Within Henkel’s Automotive group, he leads eMobility and powertrain initiatives for OEMs and Tier suppliers, specializing in power storage, power conversion, eDrives, and thermal and sealing solutions that support the transition to electric mobility. Mr. Boback has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University.

Dr. Yukio Cho

Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellow - Stanford University

Dr. Cho is currently a Stanford Energy Fellow and postdoctoral researcher focused on next-generation energy storage. His expertise is in materials chemistry, specializing in nanomaterials and electrochemical applications, with publications in leading journals including Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Chemistry, and Advanced Materials. Dr. Cho received his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Clemens van Zeyl

Managing Director - Heimdalytics

Mr. van Zeyl has over 40 years of extensive experience as a senior executive and engineer in several electrical engineering and technology companies including GE and Shell. He is also a visionary in implementing and marketing advanced technological products in the industrial and energy sectors. Currently he is Managing Director at Heimdalytics which he co-founded in 2021. Mr. van Zeyl holds a bachelor’s degree in applied science and an MBA, and he is also a professional engineer licensed in Ontario, Canada.

Erich Esser

Managing Director GER/A - Ecobat

Mr. Esser has more than 25 years of experience in automotive and chemical industries and operates as Managing Director and Vice President, Global Polypropylene at Ecobat Resources. Prior to this role he served as Sales Director and Business Unit Manager at Recticel where he worked closely with German automotive Manufacturers. Mr. Esser holds a Master of Science in Chemical engineering from the Cologne University of Applied Sciences.

David Coffin

Senior International Economist - U.S. International Trade Commission

Mr. Coffin is an international economist with over 15 years at the U.S. International Trade Commission, where he analyzes the impacts of trade policy on the competitiveness of the U.S. automotive industry. He has led and contributed to numerous ITC fact-finding investigations, including the USMCA Automotive Rules of Origin 2025 report assessing the transition from NAFTA to USMCA. Mr. Coffin has published more than two dozen working papers and multiple journal articles on automotive trade with China, the EV supply chain, and used vehicles. He holds an M.A. in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.