After a successful career in media in Central East Europe, Stevan focused his attention on public affairs, corporate communications, and international affairs. He gained valuable market experience in Adriatic region before he moved into a global role in Imperial’s head office.

With over a decade of industry experience, his areas of interest now are above national regulations, international treaties and illicit trade research and prevention. He is passionate about scientific and consumer research, public debate, and transformation.

Stevan is also a published book author, mentor, and a coach.

Alice Jaussaud has been a Product Manager for Evolute® filtering media solutions for four years. She is leading partnerships and fostering strong industry networks across the value chain to drive the transition to plastic-free filters. She joined SWM International’s R&D team in 2009 in Research and Development, first as a Product Developer and later as Global R&D Manager for tobacco papers. Before that, she spent eight years in the paper packaging industry with the Smurfit Group. Alice holds a degree from Grenoble INP-Pagora, Graduate School of Engineering in Paper, Print Media, and Biomaterials.

Jon B. Woods is currently Vice President, Fibers and Analytical Technology.

Jon joined Eastman Chemical in 1989 and has served in a variety of leadership positions in technology, business management, corporate innovation and new business development, corporate strategy, and licensing.

Jon holds a Bachelors degree in Biomedical Engineering and a Masters degree in Engineering Science and Mechanics from the University of Tennessee. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He is a native of Kingsport, Tennessee.

A graduate in International Business and Finance from California State University at Long Beach, Lisauskas worked as a research analyst for the Norwegian investment company Baltic Management in Vilnius, Lithuania. He later became marketing manager of Omnitel Telecom and later Vice President for Grey Worldwide Baltics advertising agency. On his return to the U.S. in 2002, he built multiple businesses in San Diego, California.

Lisauskas Founded Greenbutts in 2010, with the purpose of finding a viable solution to the widespread pollution caused by cigarette filters and built a team of experts from the tobacco, biochemistry and engineering industries to round out the Greenbutts team. After multiple patent issuances surrounding the Greenbutts™ filter technology and gaining a reputation within the tobacco and nicotine industry, Mr. Lisauskas has made Greenbutts a widely recognized company whose mission is to facilitate the advancement of ecological and regulatory compliant technologies that can be implemented industry-wide in the combustible, HNB and modern oral space.

Karen Garaseferyan is Regulatory and Fiscal Strategy Director at JT International SA, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Karen is a Corporate Affairs and Communications professional with more than fifteen years of experience in the areas of Government Relations, Communications, Sustainability and Supply Chain Management. In recent years he has been responsible for the areas of Supply Chain Control, including EPR schemes, authentication and traceability. His previous experience is in the area of Management Consulting and Advisory, across many industries and geographies.

Karen holds a master’s degree in Engineering and Computer Science from the State Engineering University of Armenia and MBA degree by the Rotterdam School of Business in the Netherlands.

Arnaud Bansard is Government Affairs Director at EDGYN, where he leads global engagement with governments and institutions to advance the adoption of innovative “phygital” security solutions that combat counterfeiting, grey market activity, and illicit trade.

With more than a decade of experience in security innovation, Arnaud has held senior roles in global business development at Surys and De La Rue, where he partnered with brands and public authorities to implement advanced authentication technologies that protect revenues, ensure tax compliance, and strengthen supply chain resilience.

Arnaud has led complex projects across Europe, Asia, and Africa and is a leading advocate for the integration of digital and physical security to address emerging global challenges.
He holds a Master’s degree from ESSEC Business School.

Emanuel Greisen is the CEO and Managing Director of PSQR, a Denmark-based software company specializing in track-and-trace solutions.

With a strong background in both, technology and leadership, Emanuel brings decades of experience in building and scaling IT companies across sectors, including supply chain, finance, entertainment, and investigative intelligence.

An experienced entrepreneur and effective communicator, Emanuel has held roles ranging from software engineer to CTO and COO, giving him a well-rounded perspective that combines deep technical knowledge with strategic leadership. At PSQR, he leads the development of robust and scalable solutions that support global supply chain transparency and regulatory compliance.

Under Emanuel’s leadership, PSQR has successfully delivered traceability systems that support international compliance requirements, such as the EU Tobacco Products Directive, and is actively contributing to frameworks like the upcoming Digital Product Passport. The company’s software is presently used to track billions of products across borders and industries, helping governments and businesses ensure authenticity, accountability, and data-driven decision-making.

An experienced professional with over 10 years in the banking and fintech industries, Yurii Ovsiienko specializes in e-commerce, digital banking, and financial services. As the Head of Project Management at SmartOne, Yurii oversees all government projects, ensuring successful implementation of complex fintech and regulatory solutions.

Key Achievements:

- Full management of the Track & Trace projects, a crucial solution in fintech and regulatory compliance.

- Led the launch of SmartOne’s government solutions in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

- Successfully executed large-scale government projects, driving digital transformation in the financial sector.

With a strong background in project management, data analysis, and strategic growth, Yurii’s leadership continues to shape innovative solutions that enhance government and business operations in fintech.

Michiel Reerink is Alliance One International’s (AOI) international affairs director and managing director of Alliance One International GmbH, based at the company’s Switzerland office. Reerink directs AOI’s international corporate affairs, represents AOI with governments, legislators, nongovernmental organizations, industry organizations and other trade associations and provides outreach to share the company’s views and positions with the wider public. Reerink started his career in the tobacco industry in 1996 at the association of Dutch fine-cut tobacco manufacturers in The Hague, representing its members’ interests with Dutch and European legislators and politicians. He then joined Imperial Tobacco in 2001, working across a range of corporate affairs and anti-illicit trade roles nationally and regionally as well as at Imperial’s Bristol head office. In 2004, he established and subsequently managed Imperial’s EU affairs office in Brussels. Prior to joining AOI in 2020, Reerink worked at Japan Tobacco International from 2010 leading the global regulatory strategy department at the company’s Geneva headquarters where he established and executed comprehensive strategies to address emerging regulatory and corporate affairs issues worldwide. Reerink received a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics and a master’s degree in Dutch law. He has lived and worked in the Netherlands, USA, Belgium, Germany, U.K. and Switzerland.
Michiel Reerink is Alliance One International’s (AOI) international affairs director and managing director of Alliance One International GmbH, based at the company’s Switzerland office. Reerink directs AOI’s international corporate affairs, represents AOI with governments, legislators, nongovernmental organizations, industry organizations and other trade associations and provides outreach to share the company’s views and positions with the wider public. Reerink started his career in the tobacco industry in 1996 at the association of Dutch fine-cut tobacco manufacturers in The Hague, representing its members’ interests with Dutch and European legislators and politicians. He then joined Imperial Tobacco in 2001, working across a range of corporate affairs and anti-illicit trade roles nationally and regionally as well as at Imperial’s Bristol head office. In 2004, he established and subsequently managed Imperial’s EU affairs office in Brussels. Prior to joining AOI in 2020, Reerink worked at Japan Tobacco International from 2010 leading the global regulatory strategy department at the company’s Geneva headquarters where he established and executed comprehensive strategies to address emerging regulatory and corporate affairs issues worldwide. Reerink received a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics and a master’s degree in Dutch law. He has lived and worked in the Netherlands, USA, Belgium, Germany, U.K. and Switzerland.

Christopher A. Maan is a Partner at Macht Global, a company specializing in value-added products and services, international trade, and strategic partnerships. He has a well-established career in the global tobacco and leaf trade, developing commercial strategies, sourcing initiatives, and building business relationships across different markets.

With a hands-on approach, Christopher works closely with manufacturers and merchants to navigate industry challenges, improve supply chains, and support sustainable growth. His experience covers commercial strategy, corporate structuring, international trade, crisis management and problem solving to address market disruptions and structural challenges.

Frederick Maan is a Partner at Macht Global, a company specializing in value-added products and services, international trade and strategic partnerships. He has a well-established career in the global tobacco and leaf trade, overseeing business development, market strategy, manufacturing, and international trade.

With a hands-on approach, Frederick works closely with partners across diverse markets, focusing on sourcing, operations and commercial growth. His experience covers global trade, supply chain management and manufacturing, with a strong focus on optimizing operations, overseeing financial performance and driving scalable growth strategies in international markets.

With over 45 years of experience in the tobacco processing industry, Curina has played a key role in managing large-scale projects across more than 30 countries. Beginning his career at Godioli & Bellanti S.p.A. in 1977, he advanced to become a Shareholder, Sales Director, and CEO, overseeing global operations, contract negotiations, and project execution.

Currently serving as Sales Director & Consultant, he continues to contribute his expertise in engineering, thermotechnical systems, and industrial processing. In addition to his corporate leadership, he has held board positions in public service management, banking, and industry associations, shaping the future of tobacco technology and infrastructure.

Dr. Pete Gibbons is the Business Development Director at Labstat International. Pete is a chemist by training with extensive experience in New Category Nicotine Products, aerosol science and analytical chemistry. He is a frequent contributor to the development of European (CEN) and worldwide (ISO) standards and actively participates in Coresta. His previous positions include Head of Reduced Risk Product Analysis at Hall Analytical (Manchester, UK) and Head of Technical for a major Independent UK ENDS business. Prior to joining the Nicotine Product industry in 2015, Pete enjoyed a successful career as a drug discovery expert.

Bengt Wiberg is a Swedish former CFO that became a celebrated harm reduction activist and the inventor of the Stingfree / PROTEX technology. As the founder of EU for Snus Bengt has strived to legalize snus in the EU as a much healthier alternative to smoking that could see the EU daily smoker rates drop to the very low levels present in Sweden.

Pouch use is safer than smoking in every conceivable way but it can affect oral health negatively. Bengt experienced this first hand when his gums got inflamed from years of pouch use but rather than risk going back to smoking he invented the Stingfree/PROTEX pouch. These pouches have a US/Europe patented built in protective barrier for the gums that reduces the burning sensation and irritation of the gums.

Bengt's vision is that Stingfree will contribute to a smoke-free world by lowering the threshold for smokers to make the switch to much safer pouch products.

Fredrik Laurell is CEO at Nicoccino, a Swedish company producing patented oral dissolvable Nicotine Strips. He has worked with snus and nicotine pouches since 2008. Between 2011 and 2015, Fredrik led SMPMI, a joint venture between Swedish Match and Philip Morris International that explored the potential for snus worldwide. 2016-2018 he worked with Thomas Eriksson, the inventor of the tobacco-free nicotine pouch, and for Imperial Brands’ Skruf snus. Previously, he held marketing and strategy roles with McDonald’s and Duni in Europe, Asia/Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.

Fredrik holds an MSc from the Stockholm School of Economics and a BA from Stockholm University.

Samuel ‘Sam’ Hampsher-Monk joined ARAC in January 2025 as VP, Global Regulatory Strategy and Business Operations, having spent seven years as Managing Director of BOTEC Analysis where he led international, multidisciplinary research on cannabis, tobacco, and nicotine product regulation for state and municipal agencies, research institutions, and philanthropic foundations. He has authored technical reports, case studies, white papers, policy briefs, and academic papers on topics such as consumer product regulation, taxation, illicit trade, policy reform, and social justice. His peer-reviewed research has been published in the Journal of Consumer Policy and the Journal of Health Communication. He is also the lead author of Clearing the Air on E-Cigarettes and Harm Reduction: Tobacco Control, Economics, and Public Health (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024).

Sarah has broad experience serving pharma, medical device, and consumer products industries, with a focus on integrating science, quality processes, and business goals in a regulated environment. She has a proven ability to develop resilient, cross-functional teams and champion complex projects across diverse groups of stakeholders. Sarah specializes in helping clients develop and successfully execute strategies to access the U.S. market.

Sarah works closely with clients to plan and submit premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs) and modified risk tobacco product applications (MRTPAs) across various nicotine product categories, including novel, emerging delivery systems. She combines her extensive industry experience, scientific expertise, and business acumen to navigate the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape and provide practical solutions to regulatory challenges. Sarah supports regulatory strategy across all scientific areas including product design and development, manufacturing, and nonclinical and clinical study programs.

She specializes in helping clients create and navigate multi-product regulatory strategies and product line extensions. These strategies leverage existing scientific evidence through use of supplemental PMTAs (sPMTAs) and tobacco product master files (TPMFs) to minimize regulatory costs and timelines. She also supports preparation for Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) meetings.

Chris co-founded Broughton in 2006, having worked previously within global blue-chip pharmaceutical companies and Contract Research Organisations within the medicinal product and medical device sectors.

· Over 25 years’ experience in Analytical and Regulatory Science focussing on inhaled and solid dose pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and nicotine products

· Extensive experience with global regulatory agencies, including US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

· Oversees the overall direction of the organisation, ensuring that Broughton’s mission is achieved

· Has a passion for developing Broughton’s services and team members to help accelerate life-enhancing products to market

Chris Allen is the Chief Executive Officer at Broughton. Since obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a subsequent Post Graduate Certificate in Analytical Science, he has gained over 25 years of analytical and regulatory experience working in global medical device and pharmaceutical companies and leading CROs. Chris started his career working on both Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical products within Smith+Nephew. Subsequently, Chris moved into inhaled medicines, supporting blue-chip pharmaceutical companies’ drug product registration programs within Melbourn Intertek.

Before co-founding Broughton, Chris moved into a leadership role with Sciantec (Cawood), successfully overseeing its entry into the Veterinary Medicines market, supporting global Marketing Authorizations and site inspections.

Chris co-founded Broughton Laboratories in 2006, with Paul Moran, overseeing its first and successful MHRA Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspection within the first three months. With a focus on supporting Marketing Authorizations and Post Marketing activities within the pharmaceutical sector, Broughton played a pivotal role in obtaining the first UK Medicinal License for an electronic cigarette, a project that started in 2010.

Chris took this combined experience of Pharmaceuticals and Nicotine to expand Broughton’s services to support the development and registration of Reduced-Risk Tobacco Products, including Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). Rapid growth within this area resulted in the expansion to a second site, and a multi-million-pound (GBP) investment into a custom-built facility, leading-edge analytical equipment, and expansion of the team and service offerings. Chris has overseen multiple product applications for Medicinal Marketing Authorization Applications (MAA), EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), US Premarket Tobacco Product

Application (PMTA) and other global markets. Chris has become well established as a recognized subject matter expert in the science and regulation of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and reduced risk nicotine products.

As Chief Executive Officer of Broughton, Chris’ passion lies in developing the Broughton Team and associated services to deliver life-enhancing products to market for their clients.

Fouad is a seasoned commercial expert in the NGP and FMCG industry, boasting over 25 years of experience in the MENA region. He currently serves as the Regional Director for the MEA region at DENSSI Nicotine Pouches.

Before joining DENSSI, Fouad led the RELX Tech business in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during the challenging period of COVID-19. His extensive experience also includes a decade at Philip Morris International (PMI), where he held various commercial and strategic leadership roles.

Fouad's career began with notable positions at Mondelez and Nestlé Middle East, providing him with a strong foundation in the industry. He holds a Master’s degree in Corporate and Marketing Communication from IE University in Madrid.

Dr Hugo joined BAT in February 2022 and is a trained medical physician who holds an active annual practicing license from the Malaysia Medical Council. After practicing in both major public and private hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, he spent 14 years in medical affairs for multinational pharmaceutical organizations such as GlaxoSmithKline, Merck KGA, Novo Nordisk, Takeda. Hugo was formerly Medical and Regulatory Director for Novartis Oncology and AstraZeneca Hong Kong. He has worked with leading researchers in early and late phase clinical trials and partnered with biotech start-ups to bring innovative medicine from early development to commercialization. Hugo also completed an MBA from the Manchester Business School