Julie Hesketh-Laird is a global food and drink professional with a career to date spanning private sector business representation and government. She has led membership bodies in iconic sectors such as the salmon sector and Scotch Whisky, as well as her recent leading role in an independent food regulatory public sector body. Julie brings to FIVS a wealth of advocacy and strategy development experience and energy to the sector and the role, as well as specific expertise in sustainability and safety.

Laura Gelezuinas is the Deputy Head of Secretariat of FIVS. Laura’s responsibilities include the management of FIVS’s Scientific and Technical Committee, Environmental and Economic Sustainability Working Groups, Fire Impact Subgroup and Codex Alimentarius Task Force. She has extensive expertise in international affairs and diplomacy, having previously worked at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as Associate Programme Specialist. Laura has a Master’s in European Affairs from Sciences Po Paris and a Master’s in Political Science and Government from the London School of Economics, as well as a Diploma of European Wine Law from the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne. She is fluent in French, English, and Polish.

Karen Geronimo is the Office Manager of FIVS. Karen’s responsibilities include the management of FIVS’s Social Sustainability Working Group, the administration of the Federation, as well as communications. She has worked for ten years at UNESCO as Associate Project Officer with its Global Education Monitoring Report team and Education for Sustainable Development Section. She has solid expertise in project implementation and communication. Fluent in English, French, Spanish, Catalan, Italian, and Tagalog, Karen has a Master’s in English Language and Affairs from Université Paris-Sorbonne.