Karen Hope, Technical Director at AAG, is an entomologist specializing in biological control and integrated pest management, with more than 10 years of experience in research and implementation. Her work focuses on evaluating biopesticides, supporting science-based crop protection, and strengthening pesticide management and registration frameworks. Karen combines technical expertise and project management skills to advance practical, effective, and sustainable crop protection solutions for farmers. Karen holds an MSc in Biology from the University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

Alexis Heather, Program Director at AAG, has managed multidisciplinary projects ranging from grassroots farmer programs to government-to-government partnerships, including leading USDA Foreign Agricultural Service trade capacity-building efforts across six countries. As a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana, he worked alongside smallholder farmers to establish agroforestry cooperatives that strengthened international market connections. Alexis holds an M.S. in International Agricultural Development from UC Davis with a specialization in geospatial and economic systems analysis.

Luis Suguiyama, Senior Advisor at AAG, is an international pesticide consultant specializing in capacity building and regulatory support programs around the world. He brings nearly 30 years of experience with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where he served as a Senior Pesticide Regulatory Manager. His work has focused on integrated pest management, pesticide regulation, sanitary and phytosanitary programs, risk assessment, food safety, and sustainable agricultural practices.

Alan Norden is a regulatory expert with more than 26 years of experience in crop protection products and veterinary medicines through his leadership roles with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. His work has focused on supporting agricultural industries, particularly minor crops, through regulatory processes and advancing international guidance on regulatory incentives, data use, and crop grouping. Alan has also contributed to global collaboration efforts through leadership roles with the OECD Expert Group on Minor Uses and previous Global Minor Use Summits.

Dr. Wayne Jiang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University (MSU) with expertise in food safety, pesticide residue analysis, and laboratory quality systems. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry and has extensive experience in analytical, organic, environmental, and forensic chemistry. Over his career, he has served as a senior chemist, laboratory director, IR-4 lab director, QA manager, and senior editor of academic journals. Dr. Jiang has led pesticide MRL studies around the world and provided GLP training and technical support to analytical laboratories across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

Carmen Tiu is a Global Residues, MRL, and Risk Assessment expert and American Chemical Society AGRO Fellow with more than 30 years of experience in agrochemical regulations, food safety, and international trade standards harmonization. Her work focuses on developing country- and product-specific regulatory strategies, with particular expertise in specialty and minor crops such as fruits and vegetables. Carmen supports global regulatory harmonization, capacity building, and cooperative programs that advance science-based food trade compliance and agricultural innovation.

Ian Reichstein is a regulatory and agricultural policy expert with more than 30 years of experience in the Australian public service. His work included serving as Director of the Australian National Residue Survey and leading the Australian delegation to the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues. Since retiring from permanent government service in 2020, Ian has continued supporting international agricultural and food safety initiatives through contract work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the FAO.

Dr. Jason Lutze has more than 25 years of experience in pesticide residues, maximum residue limit (MRL) establishment, and regulatory capacity building. He previously held senior leadership roles with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, including Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Director of Residues and Trade, and has represented Australia in international Codex and OECD committees related to pesticide and veterinary drug residues. Jason holds a PhD in Plant Sciences from the Australian National University and supports international efforts to strengthen effective pesticide regulation and safe MRL standards.

Dr. Chris Peterson is an entomologist and toxicologist specializing in pest management and agricultural policy. He is retired from a nearly 25-year career at the United States Department of Agriculture that included pesticide research, international scientific capacity building, sanitary and phytosanitary trade compliance, and pesticide and biotechnology policy. He now works as an independent consultant assisting global partners in matters affecting the quality, safety, and access to food, particularly as they relate to pest management and trade. He earned his PhD from Iowa State University in 2001. 

Shanker Reddy brings two decades of leadership in USDA’s national food safety and monitoring programs for pathogens and pesticide residues. He coordinated nationwide sampling and analytical programs in partnership with states’ Departments of Agriculture, overseeing technical analysis, data evaluation, and publication of findings. He also built strategic collaborations with FDA, EPA, CDC, and industry partners to strengthen food safety monitoring and advance science-based regulatory practices.