Our podcasts, interviews and site-visits
Gather insights, perspectives and inspiration from high-level discussions and extended interactions between circular economy experts and business leaders from across the Americas.
CEFA Sessions Podcast at the World Circular Economy Forum 2025 with Alex Fernandes | original in Portuguese
Alexandre Gobbo Fernandes, from the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas, has an interesting conversation with three inspiring business leaders from Brazil, who share their experiences within their organizations in promoting changes to enable their transition to the circular economy.
Moderated by:
• Alexandre Gobbo Fernandes (Brazil), Innovation Management | Circular Economy | Circular Design | Cradle to Cradle | Strategic Planning | Reverse Logistics | Ecologic Architecture, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
Invitees:
• Isabella Menezes Goltz (Brazil), Sustainability | ESG | Circularity & Recycled Materials | Civil Construction | @Saint-Gobain.
• Cilene Monteiro (Brazil) Engineer | Entrepreneur, founder and commercial director of Grupo Era.
• Raíssa Tavares (Brazil), Sustainability Manager at Assessa.
CEFA Sessions Podcast at the Circular Economic World Forum 2025 with Kevin de Cuba | original in Spanish
Kevin de Cuba, from the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas, has an interesting conversation with two innovative and inspiring entrepreneurs from Latin America, about their learning and experiences in developing and marketing their bio-packaging products, and how to bring them to corporate and consumer markets.
Moderated by:
• Kevin de Cuba (Aruba), Senior Circular Economy & Sustainability Advisor | CEO & Co-Founder, BIOREFICOL S.A.S. | Founder, CEP & CEFA Americas | EU-LAC Cooperation Leader.
Invitees:
• Sebastián Estrada (Colombia), CEO of Mahiz BioPack.
• María Nasta Bittar (Paraguay), Founder and CEO ofMadre Mejores Empaquez.
INTERVIEWS: CEFA Sessions at the World Circular Economy Forum 2025 with Kevin de Cuba in São Paulo | original in English
The Circular Economy Platform of the Americas (CEP) and the CEFA Sessions team participated at the World Circular Economy Forum 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil. Kevin de Cuba from CEP, interviewed some of his circular economy colleagues during this important forum to better understand their learned experiences and updated perspectives.
The interviewed:
• Kari Herlevi (Finland), Program Director, Circular Economy at Sitra, CoFounder World Circular Economy Forum | board professional.
• William Dominici (United States), Strategic Leader | Circular Economy Advocate | Driving Innovation in Global PC & Smart Solutions | Lenovo and Chris Cui (United States), Global Leader in Responsible Tech, Ethical AI & Sustainable Innovation | AI Governance Professional (AIGP) Certified | Columbia MBA | ESG Investing CFA Certified.
• Chris Whyte (South Africa), Circular Economy Specialist | Founder of Africa Circular.
CEFA Sessions at the World Circular Economy Forum 2025 in Brazil
INTERVIEWS at the World Circular Economy Forum 2025 with Kevin de Cuba in São Paulo | original in Spanish
The Circular Economy Platform of the Americas (CEP) and the CEFA Sessions team participated at the World Circular Economy Forum 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil. Kevin de Cuba from CEP, interviewed some of his circular economy colleagues during this important forum to better understand their learned experiences and updated perspectives.
The interviewees:
• Susana Muhamad (Colombia), Former Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development Colombia |Palestinian Descendant | Environmental Activist.
• Maria Nasta Bittar (Paraguay), Sustainable Development | Entrepreneur | Founder and CEO of "Madre, Mejores Empaques".
• Veronica Alegre (Paraguay), Project Manager | Founder and Leader of Maigotex | Consulting for startups and innovation projects.
• Juan Manuel Duque Vidal (Colombia), Consultor de Economía Circular @ IDOM | Magister en Biotecnología | Magister en Gestión de la Innovación | Cadenas de valor sostenibles | Bioeconomía | Desarrollo de ecosistemas de fomento a la sostenibilidad.
• Yolanda Salazar de Tobar (El Salvador), Master of Business Administration and Chemical Engineer.
INTERVIEWS at the World Circular Economy Forum 2025 with Kevin de Cuba in São Paulo | original in Portuguese
The Circular Economy Platform of the Americas (CEP) and the CEFA Sessions team participated at the World Circular Economy Forum 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil. Kevin de Cuba from CEP, interviewed some of his circular economy colleagues during this important forum to better understand their learned experiences and updated perspectives.
The interviewees:
• Daniel Lage Chang (Brazil), Bioeconomy Specialist | Knowledge Manager | Science, Technology and Innovation Advisor | Human Design Professional Analyst & Living Your Design Guide.
• Vanessa Campos Guedes (Brazil), Innovation Supervisor | Research, Development and Industrial Innovation | R&D | R&D at SENAI.
• Barbara de Alencar (Brazil), Strategy | Marketing | Circular Economy at BRASKEM.
• Marcelo Souza (Brazil), CEO at Fox Industry Ltd. | Circular Economy President of INEC - National Institute of Circular Economy - advisor - speaker - professor - writer.
• Fernanda Neumann (Brazil), New Business for Technological Innovation | SENAI National Department.
• Georgia Albertoni (Brazil), Circular Economy | Sustainability | Climate Change | Innovation at Abiplast.
• Andrea Xavier (Brazil), Marketing & Comunnication | Research in Education, Health, Platforms & Communities | ESG | Team Management | | Lifelong Learner.
• Nicollas Candil (Brazil), Business Consultant | Biomass | Renewable | Decabornization | Steam | ESG.
Circular Economy: The Fundamentals.
CEFA Sessions Podcast #1 (Session 1, Day 1) | original in English
Members and friends of the Platform shared their reflections on the foundations and principles of the circular economy, and exchanged ideas on how to design solutions, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems. They also explained how the circular economy contrasts with the linear "extract-make-dispose" economy.
Moderated by:
• Rubiela Lampe-Chiquito (Aruba), CEO of ACE Firm Engineering.
Invitees:
• María de los Ángeles Franco (Peru), Expert in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning & Impact Assessment | Global Development | Circular Economy | Food Systems | Specialty Coffees, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
• Kevin de Cuba (Aruba), Senior Circular Economy & Sustainability Advisor | CEO & Co-Founder, BIOREFICOL S.A.S. | Founder, CEP & CEFA Americas | EU-LAC Cooperation Leader.
• Juana Camacho Otero (Colombia), Driving circular transformation through strategy, design & collaboration | 15+ yrs in sustainability and ESG, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
• Kenneth Alston (United States), Host Circularity Catalyst | Sustainably Circular Transformation for Business Leaders That Give a Damn | Helping Businesses Profit by Regenerating Life | Creator of Design Like Nature™ & the Tactical Tetrahedron™, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
• Ken Webster (United Kingdom) [digital], Visiting Professor, Cranfield Univ. Fellow at CISL (Cambridge Inst. for Sustainability Leadership) Head of Innovation, Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2010-18), DSc h.c. FRSA.
Circular Economy: Effectiveness of Foreign Funded Initiatives in LAC.
CEFA Sessions Podcast #2 (Session 2, Day 1) | original in English
Here we captured an interesting conversation among colleagues and friends of the Platform during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2020 where they shared their reflections on European Union (EU) funding for circular economy (CE) initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) through various programs, platforms, and bilateral cooperation to support sustainable development and climate action.
Moderated by:
• Kevin de Cuba (Aruba), Senior Circular Economy & Sustainability Advisor | CEO & Co-Founder, BIOREFICOL S.A.S. | Founder, CEP & CEFA Americas | EU-LAC Cooperation Leader.
Invitees:
• Octavio Torres Quintana (Colombia), Founder & CEO at Valopes | Climate disruptor | Royal Academy of Engineering Fellow | IoT enthusiast | Digital Twins |, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
• Linda Breukers (the Netherlands), Circular Economy Consultant & Business Development Fuse Caribbean.
• Robert Oomen (the Netherlands), Circular Economy Consultant - Órbitat, Turntoo, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
Circular Economy as the Tool for Economic Recovery & Regeneration.
CEFA Sessions Podcast #3 (Session 3, Day 1) | [Dubbed English audio] original in Spanish
In this podcast colleagues and invitees shared their experiences since the beginning of the global Covid-19 pandemic, discussed their perspectives on the global and regional recovery, and how the Circular Economy could contribute to it. This podcast was recorded during CEFA2020, which was held on the island of Aruba.
Moderated by:
• Mauricio Zenteno Casas (Mexico), Circular Projects Development & Management, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
Invitees:
• Irina Reyes Donoso (Chile), Manager of Climate Change Transformation at Corfo | Driving climate solutions | Innovation in the circular economy | Natural Capital | Circular economy expert – Climate finance – Sustainable innovation, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
• Jully Andrea Herrera (Colombia), Circular Economy Product Design Engineer | PhD Candidate in Industrial Ecology, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
• Alexandre Gobbo Fernandes (Brazil), Innovation Management | Circular Economy | Circular Design | Cradle to Cradle | Strategic Planning | Reverse Logistics | Ecologic Architecture, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
CEFA Sessions at the Circular Economy Forum of the Americas 2020 in Aruba
Circular Economy: Building Resilience and Driving Sustainable Development.
CEFA Sessions Podcast #4 (Session 4, Day 2) | [Dubbed English audio] original in Spanish
In this podcast we captured an in-depth conversation among colleagues of the Platform at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2020 where they shared how applying the Circular Economy boosts resilience, drives diversity and reinforces equality. Building resilience drives sustainable development by enabling societies, economies, and ecosystems to adapt to and recover from shocks like climate change and economic crises, ultimately fostering long-term well-being.
Moderated by:
• Irina Reyes Donoso (Chile), Manager of Climate Change Transformation at Corfo | Driving climate solutions | Innovation in the circular economy | Natural Capital | Circular economy expert – Climate finance – Sustainable innovation, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
Invitees:
• Juana Camacho Otero (Colombia), Driving circular transformation through strategy, design & collaboration | 15+ yrs in sustainability and ESG, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
• Mauricio Zenteno Casas (Mexico), Circular Projects Development & Management, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
• Santiago Murillo (Colombia), Politólogo, Especialista en Gestión Pública, Magistrando en Desarrollo Humano, Doctor Honoris Causa, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
• Jorge Eduardo López Jaramillo (Colombia), Gestión del tiempo | Productividad | Implementación de estrategias | Comunicación efectiva | Priorización | Generación de valor, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
Circular Economy: Data and Technology for Sustainable Development.
CEFA Sessions Podcast #5 (Session 5, Day 2) | [Dubbed English audio] original in Spanish
In this podcast colleagues and invitees of the Platform shared their perspectives on how to drive a circular economy through the use of technology and data, and how they can connect professionals using platforms like Industry 4.0 technologies to improve resource regeneration through reuse and data-driven insights to minimize waste.
Moderated by:
• Jully Andrea Herrera (Colombia), Circular Economy Product Design Engineer | PhD Candidate in Industrial Ecology, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
Invitees:
• Mauricio Zenteno Casas (Mexico), Circular Projects Development & Management, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
• Linda Breukers (the Netherlands), Circular Economy Consultant & Business Development Fuse Caribbean.
• María de los Ángeles Franco (Peru), Expert in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning & Impact Assessment | Global Development | Circular Economy | Food Systems | Specialty Coffees, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
• Octavio Torres Quintana (Colombia), Founder & CEO at Valopes | Climate disruptor | Royal Academy of Engineering Fellow | IoT enthusiast | Digital Twins |, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
• Weber Amaral (Brazil) [digital], Professor at USP/ESALQ, CBDO GBMEX, entrepreneur and investor.
Circular Economy: Vital for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
CEFA Sessions Podcast #6 (Session 6, Day 2) | original in English
In this podcast the panelists discussed how to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering a Circular Economy, addressing resource-efficient production and consumption models that eliminate waste, extend product lifespans, and regenerate natural systems.
Moderated by:
• Jorge Eduardo López Jaramillo (Colombia), Gestión del tiempo | Productividad | Implementación de estrategias | Comunicación efectiva | Priorización | Generación de valor, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
Invitees:
• Jully Andrea Herrera (Colombia), Circular Economy Product Design Engineer | PhD Candidate in Industrial Ecology, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
• Robert Oomen (the Netherlands), Circular Economy Consultant - Órbitat, Turntoo, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
• Kenneth Alston (United States), Host Circularity Catalyst | Sustainably Circular Transformation for Business Leaders That Give a Damn | Helping Businesses Profit by Regenerating Life | Creator of Design Like Nature™ & the Tactical Tetrahedron™, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
• Alexandre Gobbo Fernandes (Brazil), Innovation Management :: Circular Economy :: Circular Design :: Cradle to Cradle :: Strategic Planning :: Reverse Logistics :: Ecologic Architecture, member of the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas.
• Lewis Akenji (Canada) [digital], Executive Director @ Hot or Cool Institute | Member of Club of Rome.
