This inspired him to research water all over the world to see what else was possible with enhancing water. He found alkaline ionised water in Japan and with this technology was the first to market in Europe and is now pioneering the growth of this new category.

Since joining AWS in 2011, Adrian has overseen the development of AWS into a truly global network that inspires the leadership across different groups that is needed to safeguard our freshwater resources.

Adrian has extensive international experience ranging from Fairtrade International in Germany to grassroots NGOs in Nepal and Bangladesh.

His diverse experience, together with his academic background (Masters in International Policy and Diplomacy), has helped to shape Adrian’s view that addressing key global challenges requires fresh leadership from all stakeholder groups.

In 1973, he started his academic studies at the National Technical University of Athens, graduating in 1979 with an architect-engineer degree. In 1980, he attended the courses of the University Paris I, Pantheon Sorbonne, getting an Advanced Graduate Diploma in Architectural Aesthetics (DEA), entitled “Argument on Space and Architectural Composition”. In 1982, he obtained a research grant from the Aristotelis Onassis Foundation and drew up a thesis at the same University of Sorbonne, entitled “Model Theory in Architectural Design Process”.
He is one of the most important foreign entrepreneurs in Romania. He has Swiss and Greek citizenship. He is married and has three sons.

In 1994, he established Valvis Holding setting up Dorna Apemin, a joint-stock company with Romanian-Swiss capital. Within this company, three mineral water plants were built under the Dorna brand in Vatra Dornei, Suceava (Dorna, Poiana Negri, Izvorul Alb brands), between 1996-1999.

In 1998, he established Dorna Lactate SA and built, under the green field scheme, a dairy processing plant in Dorna Candreni and, in 1999, a processed cheese factory in Vatra Dornei, with a range of 85 dairy products under LaDORNA brand. In 2000, he established a subsidiary of the holding in Athens: Dorna Hellas.

In 2002, he concluded the transaction with Coca Cola and sold the Dorna mineral water division. In the same year, he also laid the foundations of the Ecological Biofarms project, as part of the eco agricultural activity performed by the Dorna Agri company, a project launched in 2004, for Bio cereals. In 2003 and 2004, a cottage cheese factory (Ortoaia, Suceva) and a sheep milk feta cheese factory (Mihail Kogalniceanu, Constanta) were built under the green field scheme.

In 2006, he invested in SC Viti-Pomicola Samburesti and in 2009 he launched a range of wines under the following brands: Château Valvis, Domeniile Samburesti and Samburel de Olt.

In 2008 LaDorna dairy products division is sold to Lactalis, one of the largest dairy company in the world.

From this point onwards, Jean Valvis focused on developing the wine division- Domeniile Samburesti and starting other projects which started showing results in 2010: extending investments in eco agriculture and eco energy projects with Dorna Agri, on 8,000 ha land nearby Calarasi (Roseti), South of Romania and launching the brand AQUA Carpatica, the only naturally sparkling mineral water in the world with 0g nitrates/liter (Nitrate Free). Even from its launch, AQUA Carpatica became a success and a serious competitor for the mineral water market in Romania, the claim - “The purest mineral water in the world”, a water with a unique characteristic: zero nitrates.

With a special understanding of new consumption trends, he takes on challenges, and in plain pandemics and economical struggles dares to launch a completely new category on the market: hard seltzer under Wet brand name and also the first Romanian mineral water produced in can. In July 2022, he concluded the 3rd big international transaction, a strategic partnership with PepsiCo, by selling 20% of AQUA Carpatica company shares.

From 1998 to 2002 he was the President of the Mineral Waters Employers’ Organisation (OPA). Between 2000 and 2008, he was a member of the Management Board of the Romanian Employers’ Confederation. From 2005 to 2016 he was a member of F.I.C. (Foreign Investors Council), and in 2006 he was elected as a member of the Management Board of F.I.C. and appointed vice-president of the board of F.I.C until 2015. Since 2016 he is the vice-president of AOAR, and he was the chairman of the agriculture taskforce for Coalitia pentru Dezvoltarea Romaniei (CDR) between 2016-1019.

He was named in 2017 The Brand Creator by Business Magasine, Entrepreneur of the Year in 2001 and 2010 by Bucharest Business Week Newspaper, Entrepreneur of the Year in 2006 by Capital magazin.

In 2004 awarded by Daniel, The Metropolitan Bishop of Moldavia and Bucovina, with “The Cross of Moldavia and Bucovina” for his involvement in supporting the local community and the environment by creating new jobs within a sustainable and environmental respectful project of Bio Farming in 2004. Through his Foundation, Valvis Foundation, he initiated several actions to help sectors of society in need, both in Romania and in Greece.

Following a degree in Food Industry Management from UC Davis Mike participated in the creation of the fresh pasta category in San Francisco and later was among the founding team of Nespresso as the 1st Nespresso CMO and head of B2B being instrumental in the journey from startup to +100$ Million. Following the Nespresso experience Mike was the co founder of Eden Springs Europe, the leading Home & Office Water Delivery company in Europe and as CEO built a business of +100$M, participated actively in the European Bottled Water Association which he presided, and later brought Danone as a JV partner to Eden Springs.

Mike's main focus today is on impacting positively the planet with better, more responsible water hydration with www.bewtr.com. BE WTR innovates in upgrading tap water with patented technologies that positively impact taste & experience.

Ross is exclusively focused on advising Beverage sector clients including suppliers, processors, brand owners and distributors across the value chain in beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks and coffee/tea.

His cross-border transaction experience includes leading M&A advisory engagements across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. Ross is a recognized beverage industry thought leader and is a frequent guest speaker at industry events and in news media including CNBC, Bloomberg, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times.

Prior to joining Capstone Partners, Ross was Managing Director /Global Head of the Beverage team at KPMG Corporate Finance from 2019 - 2023. Prior to KPMG, Ross spent 9 years as Managing Director and Global Sector Head - Beverages at Rabobank, a leader in Food & Agriculture finance where he had responsibility for US$9.0 billion in commitments across nearly 90 large & mid-cap beverage clients. Ross was at Rabobank from 2011 until 2019.
 
Ross was Managing Director and COO at Beverage Marketing Corporation from 1999-2007, and President of Haas Financial Corporation from 1987- 1999. Ross spent the first five years of his career in operating roles at Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Miami and Cadbury Schweppes plc.

In a career over 25 years leading strategy teams in client-side, consulting and agency roles; he focuses now on Circana's clients in FMCG, Retail and Media categories. He is often invited to industry events to share foresights that shape these categories.

Skilled in brand building, marketing management, consumer insights, and shopper marketing, she is currently the Water Category Director for Europe at The Coca-Cola Company, having assumed this role in April 2023 after her successful stint as the Brand Director for Tea & Coffee in Europe.

Prior highlights include directing innovative brand and marketing strategies for products such as Coca-Cola, FuzeTea and Fanta, across the Western Europe and Iberia regions.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from ICADE and has honed her skills in Leadership and Business Innovation through the Executive Education programs at IE Business School and ESADE.

Silvia is deeply passionate about people development, diversity, and empowerment. Her expertise lies in weaving together innovative strategies that result in overall growth for the brands she oversees.

Before his current role, he has been leading Global Public Affairs for Danone for the last 7 years. In his career, he worked as a researcher in applied economics, as an economic consultant, and also held different roles in the Argentine Public Sector, at the national and provincial levels.

Throughout his career, he has found a number of novel bio-active compounds which contribute to healthy human life and has been awarded by various academic societies.

Daisuke attended the University of Tokyo and achieved a Ph.D. He started his carrier as a basic scientist at Kirin before becoming a visiting researcher the national research center of Japan and completing his post-doc at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA.

Currently, Daisuke is serving as General Manager of the Institute of Health Sciences of Kirin Holdings CO., Ltd and leading R&D innovation by linking research activities and business development. In addition, Daisuke serves as visiting lecturer at the University of Tokyo.

...has established The Narang Group as one of the leading premium food & beverage companies in India.

The Narang Group is all about “Crafting Brands”, dating back to 1999, when Rahul’s love for Red Bull led to launching the brand & novel energy drink category in the country. Since then, the group has successfully introduced an entire nation to some of the finest beverage brands over the last two decades, such as Evian, Perrier, Twinings, Monster, Lindt, Fever Tree & several others. The route-to-consumer that was built & developed for these brands in India over the years, soon led to the idea of launching his own portfolio of lifestyle health & wellness beverages.

The Narang Group owns the No. 1 premium natural mineral water in India – Qua from the Himalayan Foothills, & Ocean Beverages. Apart from Qua & Ocean, the group’s current portfolio also comprises of world class brands such as illy & Haribo.

When it comes to inspiring smarter hydration, Ocean Beverages aim to set the benchmark, with Ocean Fruit Water, Ocean Natural Energy Drink & Ocean Natural Mixers, all of which have been crafted as ‘better-for-you’ products, with a focus on sustainable living. The brand’s purpose is to redefine hydration for 350 million consumers in the country, by constantly creating natural innovative beverages that are not only good for them, but the environment too.

Virat Kohli – internationally renowned Sportsman, has a stake in Ocean Beverages along with several other high-profile investors. With it’s unique portfolio of good-for-you hydration+ beverages, Ocean is the No.1 brand in the fruit water & premium mixer segment in the country.

Rahul, being a member of YPO (Young President’s Organization) since 2010, and also serving on the Board of YPO South Asia as Regional Finance & Alliance Officer since 2019, firmly believes in life-long learning, through education, exchange of ideas and meaningful relationships.

He has in-depth knowledge of the beverage sector, gained through a twenty-year career with the company, working in Italy and abroad.

Marini joined the Sanpellegrino Group in 1999 . Over the years he held roles of increasing responsibility before becoming Head of Generating Demand at Nestlé Waters in 2012. In this position, Stefano helped to define strategies for the region covering the UK, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Greece, and Hungary, coordinating the marketing and sales teams across several European countries and managing the development of an international product portfolio .

In 2014, he returned to Italy to manage the Group's domestic market business as Head of the Italian Business Unit. He held this role until 2018, when the Sanpellegrino Group appointed him Business Executive Officer of the International Business Unit, tasked with helping to further grow Made in Italy brand ambassadors S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, across more than 150 countries in which the company is present.

By 26, he became CEO and since then has worked to build the largest privately held beverage company in North America supplying global and local retailers in addition to contract manufacturing for some of the country’s most recognized beverage brands.

Andy continues his commitment to world-class manufacturing and supply chain by investing in industry leading software and the fastest, most technologically advanced PET bottling lines in the world. Niagara has grown to over 50 manufacturing facilities in four countries producing a diverse range of beverages including still, sparkling and alkaline water as well as teas, sports drinks, ready-to-drink coffee, protein drinks and non-dairy milk products.

Andy’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for innovation has built a unique family culture that drives Niagara’s success. Andy values giving back to the community through Niagara Cares which supports families in need, helps provide access to water in underdeveloped countries and seeks to find a cure for follicular lymphoma. The company’s numerous awards include Beverage Forum’s Large Company of the Year, Ernst & Young’s National Entrepreneur of the Year for Family Business, Deloitte’s Best Managed Company and Walmart’s Sustainable Supplier of the Year.

Andy is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and lives in Southern California with his wife Jaime and their six children.

Leveraging over two decades of comprehensive experience in marketing strategy, business development and operations leadership, she skillfully develops and implements multi-channel strategies to fuel Nirvana Super’s™ rapid scaling. In her role as CMO, Leila is responsible for a 360-marketing strategy focused on a combination of education and lifestyle content around NWS’s exclusively licensed ingredient, HMB (Beta-Hydroxy Beta-Methylbutyrate). Her approach encompasses digital platforms, retail touchpoints, and key brand partnerships, including high-profile collaborations with professional athletes.

Leila brings to the table a formidable track record in the competitive beverage sector, specializing in transforming start-ups into leading industry players. Previously, Leila was the Vice President of Marketing at MAD TASTY, the market leader in CBD-infused beverages. Prior to this, she spearheaded business development at First Beverage Ventures, a private equity firm focused exclusively on the beverage industry, where she worked with some of the most notable emerging beverage brands in the world.

Beyond her professional acumen, Leila is deeply committed to health and wellness - a passion rooted in her athletic background. She was a Pac-10 All-American gymnast at UC Berkeley and represented Lebanon in elite international competitions. An advocate for holistic well-being, Leila fuses her gymnastics expertise with functional strength training and yoga, embodying a lifestyle that seamlessly dovetails with her professional aspirations in wellness-focused industries ranging from medical and tech to consumer-packaged goods.

Leila received her degree from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and lives in L.A. with her husband and three children. Her favorite beverages are Strawberry Basil
Lemonade Nirvana Super™ Water and the Citrus Nirvana Super™ Shot.

Serena holds a bachelor’s degree in meteorology, a master’s degree in sustainable business, and a robust background in the field of sustainability spanning transportation and beverage sectors.

With Serena’s leadership, Richard’s has implemented a framework to measure and reduce environmental impact internally and with external partners. While some in the water industry have begun prioritizing sustainable packaging, Serena and Richard’s Rainwater are taking it a step further to prioritize the sustainability of the water itself.

This centre is aiming to bridge Yili’s Innovation Centers in China with strategic collaboration parties in Europe and beyond. Partnerships are closed with academia, CRO’s, strategic suppliers as well as other dairy and food companies.

Before joining Yili he worked as SVP R&D at Valio, Finland; at Unilever (2004-2011) as R&D Director Flavour and Consumer Research; at NIZO food research (1993-2004) in The Netherlands, where he was as board member responsible for the departments Flavour, Nutrition and Ingredients. Moreover, he held for 12 years an endowed professorship at Wageningen University (NL) in Molecular Flavour Science.

He obtained a masters degree (Utrecht University) and PhD degree (Leiden University) in molecular biology.