Don't miss the opportunity to participate in the largest aquaculture event in the Southern Hemisphere!
Don't miss the opportunity to participate in the largest aquaculture event in the Southern Hemisphere!
Karina von Baer is a prominent Chilean entrepreneur from the Araucanía Region. She holds a degree in Agronomy with a specialization in Agricultural Economics from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Empresas Agrotop, a holding company that includes key firms such as Saprosem, Granotop, Oleotop, and Avenatop, with a strong presence in the production, processing, and export of seeds, grains, and derived products. Under her leadership, Agrotop has developed a vertically integrated business model that connects the entire agro-industrial value chain — from certified seed production to the industrial processing of oils and food ingredients — ensuring quality standards, traceability, and operational efficiency. She has also played a significant role in expanding Chilean agricultural products into international markets, strengthening the country’s export positioning. Her management approach emphasizes strategic collaboration with local farmers, fostering sustainable and cooperative production networks in southern Chile. In the institutional sphere, she made history by becoming the second woman ever to serve on the board of the National Agriculture Society (SNA), contributing to greater female representation within Chile’s agricultural leadership.
Explore the full list of experts who will take part in conferences, panels, and
event activities.
Senior Health Scientist at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where he works on nutrition, food safety, and risk prioritization within the Human Foods Program. He has extensive experience in food policy, regulatory development, and cross-agency coordination.
He holds a degree in Microbiology from the University of Oslo (1989) and has built an extensive international career in aquatic animal health and aquaculture policy. He began his professional career as a scientist at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, focusing on fish health and disease prevention in aquaculture. He later served in several roles within the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture, including Head of the Animal Health Unit. He subsequently joined the European Commission (DG Health and Consumer Affairs), where he was responsible for developing the EU legislation on aquatic animal health. From 2017 to 2019 he chaired the FAO COFI Sub-Committee on Aquaculture and, since 2020, he serves as Director General and Head of the Department of Aquaculture at the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.
Public Accountant from Universidad Andrés Bello and holds a Master’s degree in Science and Innovation Management from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain. He currently serves as Regional Deputy Director of CORFO Los Lagos, where he supports initiatives related to innovation, entrepreneurship, and regional economic development. He has more than two decades of experience in public administration and productive development, having held positions in SENCE, the Regional Government of Los Lagos, Chilean Customs, and Fundación Chinquihue.
Ignacio Fernández Ruiz is the Director General of ProChile, with over 25 years of experience in the public sector and international economic relations. He holds a Law degree from the University of Chile and a Master’s in International Economic Policy from the University of Sheffield. He has held several positions within the Undersecretariat for International Economic Relations and ProChile, both in Chile and abroad.
