Cleaning up the Brazilian Gold Value Chain
Gold production in Brazil is an important source of deforestation, pollution and abuse of human rights. The Lula government is intent on cleaning it up. Switzerland, as the world’s leading gold trading centre, can contribute knowledge and expertise in traceability, blockchain-based financial controls, and enhancing the rule of law.
Speakers:
Olivia Lipsky
Corporate Sustainability Manager - WWFOlivia Lipsky joined WWF Switzerland in 2021. Besides working on topics including Climate Action and Biodiversity Stewardship, in her capacity as Corporate Sustainability Manager, Olivia promotes more Sustainable Business Practices in the gold, watch and jewellery sectors. She holds a master’s degree in Sustainable Development from the University KU Leuven and is passionate about driving positive change in the realm of sustainability.
Patrick Odier
Chair - Building BridgesPatrick Odier is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Lombard Odier Group. He acted as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bank Lombard Odier & Co Ltd. from 2014 -2022. Previously, he was Senior Managing Partner of the Lombard Odier Group from 2008 until 2022. He joined the Lombard Odier Group in 1982 and completed his training in Zurich, New York, and Montreal, before becoming a Managing Partner in 1986. He holds an economics degree from the University of Geneva and an MBA in finance from the University of Chicago. Patrick Odier is president of Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF). He is also Chairman of Building Bridges. He was Chairman of the Swiss Bankers Association from 2009 to 2016 and was member of the Board of economiesuisse (Swiss Business Federation) from 2004 to 2022. He also serves on the boards of academic and philanthropic organizations.
Diana Culillas
secretary General - Swiss Better Gold AssociationDiana started at the International Committee of the Red Cross in the context of the first Russian-Chechen conflict. She then spent 14 years in Africa, Asia and Middle East with different humanitarian projects. From 2008 to 2018, as CSR Manager at Chopard Group, she established and oversaw numerous sourcing, environmental, work-life balance and philanthropic initiatives of the group. Today, Diana leads the Swiss Better Gold Association, a pioneering network of industry, finance and service providers representing Swiss gold industry, supporting sustainable development of artisanal small-scale miners and facilitates establishment of responsible gold value chains from these operations to end market.
Mark Halle
Senior Advisor - Nature FinanceNeidinha Suruí
environmental and human rights activistNeidinha Suruí is an environmental and human rights activist, indigenist, historian, and project coordinator at the nonprofit Kandidé Ethno-Environmental Defense Association. She holds a Masters degree in Geography.
Marcelo Furtado
Principal - Nature FinanceMarcelo combines his role as head of sustainability at the investment holding Itaúsa with his Principal role at the international non-governmental organization Nature Finance. He worked at Greenpeace for 24 years in international positions and as executive director in Brazil. He also worked in philanthropy as the CEO of Arapyau Institute and Alana Foundation and leads the Itausa Institute. He is currently a board member at WRI (World Resources Institute) Brazil, Conectas Human Rights and the Sovereignty and Climate Center. Co-founder of the Brazilian Coalition on Climate, Forest and Agriculture and member of the Sustainability Committee of Dexco and Marfrig.
Melina Risso
Research Director - IgarapeXavier Miserez
Head of Sales - MKS PampXavier joined MKS PAMP in 2013, in the Legal & Compliance department. He then moved to a front position to become Head of Sales in 2019, covering all upstream and downstream clients. Prior to this, Xavier has worked for a law firm and EY in a Legal & Regulatory team dedicated to banks and financial intermediaries. He holds a master’s Degree in law from Lausanne University, was admitted to the Geneva bar and a DAS in Commodity Trading from Geneva University
Barbara Beck
senior researcher - University of LausanneBarbara graduated in Earth Sciences at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland and got her doctoral degree at the Universities of Lausanne and Fribourg in the field of archaeometry. She then worked at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology and later on for the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, Consumer Protection Division. Barbara is Privat Docent and currently a lecturer in the field of natural resource management and senior researcher at University of Lausanne. With her research, she aims to use mineralogical, geochemical and geostatistical tools to solve issues relating to the traceability of mined gold.
Raul Jungmann
CEO - Brazilian Mining Institute (IBRAM)Raul Jungmann is CEO of IBRAM. He leads the organisation and associated mining companies toward structuring a bold transformation of the Brazilian mineral sector, to make it safer, sustainable and accountable. He was Minister of State for four terms between 1996 and 2019 – of Land Policy, Agrarian Development, Defence, and Public Security; and a congressman for three terms between 2003 and 2018. He also held senior positions in governmental agencies, including President of the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA); founded and chaired NGOs; and was part of several boards of directors at relevant organisations.