• Alistair is a subject matter expert in the Food Contact Safety Team at Smithers. This involves advising clients on the safety legislation which applies to food packaging in a wide range of different countries throughout the world and coordinating work programmes to ensure that clients' products meet these requirements.
• His expertise spans all the EU countries, USA, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Israel, Russia and South America.
Laura Markley, Ph.D. has been a toxicologist for 15 years with expertise in risk assessment, metals toxicology, nanotoxicology, and food safety. She received her doctorate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Maine and completed her postdoctoral studies at the FDA in the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. She has worked as a toxicologist in consulting firms performing environmental and human health risk assessments and volunteered as the Associate Director at the nonprofit Wise Laboratory Field Research Program in collaboration with the Ocean Foundation in D.C. Currently, Dr. Markley is a toxicologist at the FDA in the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in the Division of Food Contact Substances as a safety reviewer.
Peter Coneski Ph.D. is a senior scientific advisor in the Health Care and FDA practice at K&L Gates. Peter provides assistance in evaluating the regulatory compliance of food contact materials in the US and other jurisdictions. In addition, Peter advises clients on global sustainability initiatives, EPR schemes, and supports specialty chemicals and manufacturing clients as they navigate risks associated with emerging contaminants and other alleged toxins. Peter has a background in synthetic polymer chemistry and previously worked at the US Naval Research Laboratory developing functional paints, coatings, and fibers.
Mr. Kenny is an experienced regulatory attorney who has worked and consulted for nearly 30 years in the food and consumer products space. A food contact and food additive Subject Matter Expert, Mr. Kenny founded Decernis LLC in 2003, which grew to eventually cover food and consumer products regulations for every country in the world.
Decernis was acquired in June 2019 and Mr. Kenny became a member of the Executive Leadership Team at FoodChain ID in 2020 as SVP Compliance Services. In his final two years, Mr. Kenny worked with industry leaders to build out Packaging Sustainability product- and service offerings for FoodChain ID. He retired from FoodChain ID in April 2024 but continues to consult for them on a part-time basis.
Mr. Kenny recently founded a new online product safety and regulatory training company called Invenimus LLC, which will offer both in person and online global courses on all matters of chemical product safety, food and cosmetics packaging and regulatory compliance.]
Stephanie Raeke is a seasoned sustainability and packaging expert with over a decade of experience driving impactful change across the consumer goods and manufacturing sectors. As the Director of Compliance & Sustainability, Stephanie leads strategy and execution for compliant and sustainable packaging solutions that reduce environmental impact and align with global circularity goals.
With a strong foundation in policy analysis, product stewardship, chemical management and technical packaging, she has spearheaded cross-functional initiatives to integrate recyclable, compostable, and renewable materials into foodservice products. Her leadership has helped deliver tangible results in emissions reductions, material safety, and regulatory compliance.
Stephanie holds a Bachelor’s degree from Loyola University of Chicago in Political Science with a minor in Environmental Action and Leadership as well as Anthropology. In addition, she holds a Masters of Public Affairs from Indiana University O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs with a concentration in Sustainability and is passionate about advancing industry collaboration, transparency, and innovation in packaging sustainability. She is a frequent contributor to thought leadership forums and brings practical insight into navigating the complex intersection of product performance, consumer needs, and environmental responsibility.
Daniel Rubenstein provides strategic counseling to industry regarding regulatory compliance requirements for food packaging materials and food ingredients across the globe.
As an Industrial Engineer with a background in medical device manufacturing, Daniel recognizes the importance of providing clients with timely and actionable advice regarding critical regulatory decisions that drive product innovation, marketing, and promotion. Daniel leverages this experience to assist companies in proactively establishing compliance for products under the laws and regulations administered by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He also is familiar with food contact material regimes in the European Union (EU) and jurisdictions throughout Asia and South America.
Daniel regularly speaks to professional organizations and trade associations about developing, implementing, and promoting Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) strategies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for regulated facilities, and has authored a number of publications on this topic. He also uses his technical background and internal auditing experience to assist clients to prevent and – when necessary – respond to product contamination and recall situations.
John has over 40 years of experience in various aspects of food production, food safety, quality assurance, sanitation, training, and auditing. He spent 25 years with Trident Seafoods, starting as a crab fisherman and then working in roles as plant manager, corporate HR, regulatory compliance, national account sales, FSQA, and then as the Director of Training and Development for the company. John is now an independent food safety consultant based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He enjoys working with clients to help them ensure food-safe products and he’s an expert partner at Cultivate SA for assessing and changing food safety culture in food businesses.
John is a citizen of both the USA and Canada. He has a broad understanding of the cultures and food companies in this vast region.
Scott Breen is President of Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI). CMI represents U.S. metal can manufacturers and their suppliers. His responsibilities include promoting the can as a sustainable/circular package, advocating for federal and state legislation and regulation that reflect the can’s sustainability advantages, and leading the industry’s efforts to build upon the can industry’s leading recycling rates.
Scott’s roles prior to CMI were associate manager of the Sustainability and Circular Economy Program at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and attorney-adviser at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Along with his position at CMI, Scott also explores various aspects of sustainability as creator and co-host of the podcast Sustainability Defined. Sustainability Defined has monthly episodes that reach thousands of listeners across more than 100 countries and all 50 states.
