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2026 Global Tissue Paper Summit at NC State

Speakers

Meet our speakers: A unique mix of brilliant minds from the tissue paper world. From researchers setting the pace at top universities to experts from the industry’s leading companies. They will guide you through the latest trends, cutting-edge technologies, and the key points that are transforming the industry.

Jose Guirao

VP of Pricing and Commercial Excellence at Essity. With more than 20 years of experience across the Americas, he has held senior finance and commercial leadership roles driving pricing strategy, operational performance, and business growth in the hygiene and consumer goods sectors.

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Dr. Joana Curto

Professor at the University of Beira Interior (Portugal) and researcher at FibEnTech-UBI. She leads industry collaborative research within the InPacTus program developing computational tools to optimize eucalyptus raw materials for tissue paper applications with The Navigator Company.

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Dr. Afonso HT Mendes

Consultant and Associate Researcher at the University of São Paulo (Brazil) specializing in pulp and paper technology. With extensive experience in product engineering, technical services, and industry training across Latin America, he has worked with companies such as Valmet, Metso, and Beloit and serves on the Tissue Paper Committee of ABTCP.

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Dr. Ronalds Gonzalez

Associate Professor at North Carolina State University and co-director of the SAFI Consortium. He is a global expert in conventional and alternative fibers for consumer products, with a focus on hygiene materials and sustainable fiber technologies.

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Dr. Hasan Jameel

Distinguished Professor at North Carolina State University and a leading expert in pulping and bleaching processes. Through his widely recognized work on wood and non-wood feedstocks, he has contributed to advancing conversion technologies and fiber utilization in the tissue paper industry.

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Carlos Franco Solis

Executive Director of Innovation and Sustainability at Kimberly-Clark Mexico. With more than 20 years of experience, he leads transformation and innovation initiatives across supply chain systems through strategic, agile, and lean methodologies.

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Jessica Carette

R&D Project Director at Cascades Tissue Group, leading innovation in tissue paper product development. She has 18 years of experience in applied science, specializing in tissue softness and haptic evaluation. Jessica holds a chemistry degree from McGill University and an MBA from HEC Montréal.

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Dr. Song Won Park

Professor and researcher at the University of São Paulo, specializing in tissue paper science and engineering. His research focuses on fiber modification, pulp bleaching chemistry, and process optimization to enhance tissue paper quality and sustainability.

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Dr. Ramon E. Vera

Lead Process Engineer at Kimberly-Clark USA. His work focuses on developing non-wood pulping technologies, alternative fiber solutions, and processes to convert cellulosic waste into value-added chemicals, with additional expertise in emulsions, surfactant systems, and colloidal technologies.

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Jamie LeLiever

Founder and CEO of National Bamboo LLC. He leads efforts to commercialize timber bamboo as a sustainable non-wood fiber for the tissue paper industry, developing large-scale bamboo cultivation systems across the Southeastern United States to support domestic fiber supply and regenerative agriculture.

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Dr. Medwick Byrd Jr

Professor at North Carolina State University specializing in mechanical, chemical, and non-wood pulping and bleaching. With more than 30 years of experience, his research advances the use of agricultural fibers and biomass as sustainable feedstocks for hygiene and pulp and paper applications.

Dr. Richard Venditti

Distinguished Professor at North Carolina State University and a leading expert in recycling and sustainable bioproducts.  His research focuses on renewable polymers, tissue paper products, and life cycle assessment to advance fiber utilization and environmental performance in the pulp and paper industry.

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Dr. Joel Pawlak

Professor at North Carolina State University and a recognized expert in paper physics and fibrous materials engineering. His research advances understanding of fiber structures that control softness, absorbency, and performance in tissue paper products and other fiber-based materials.

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Dr. Richard Phillips

Former Senior VP of Technology and Manufacturing at International Paper, where he led engineering and research operations during a 34-year career with the company. He is Adjunct Professor at North Carolina State University and an active consultant on supply chains, technoeconomics, and manufacturing strategy in the tissue paper industry.

Dr. Lokendra Pal

Distinguished Professor at North Carolina State University with more than 23 years of global experience in bio-based materials and manufacturing innovation. His work focuses on developing sustainable fiber technologies and smart manufacturing systems for tissue paper and fiber-based products.

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Dr. Ronald Marquez

Professor at the University of Girona specializing in pulp and paper science and lignocellulosic materials. His research advances interfacial science, rheology, and bio-based material formulations that improve fiber processing and performance of tissue paper and fiber-based products.

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Lee Reisinger

CEO of ReiTech Incorporated. With more than 50 years of experience in the tissue paper industry, he has led innovation in tissue paper and paper towel manufacturing through process development, technology commercialization, and production system design, including through-air-drying systems

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