Speakers – Basque Circular Summit

Maria Elisa Arroyo

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Belen Gonzalez Villajos

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Begoña Beobide

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Begoña Beobide Azpeitia holds a degree in Telecommunications Engineering and an Executive MBA from IE Business School. She has over 25 years of professional experience, having held senior positions in organizations such as Euskaltel, Sogecable, and the technology center Vicomtech, leading technological innovation and digital transformation projects. She is currently the General Manager of Iraurgi Berritzen, Urola Erdia’s development and innovation agency, where she promotes strategies for business competitiveness, territorial development, and public-private collaboration. Her profile combines technological vision, management experience, and a systemic approach to the articulation of innovation ecosystems. She is a frequent speaker at conferences on innovation, governance, and sustainable development.

Raul Crespo

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Gorka Erlaiz Cotelo

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Gorka Erlaiz is a CIO with extensive experience in strategic management of information technologies and is an expert in defining and implementing technological strategies in line with business goals.

Leadership in digital transformation by means of incorporating innovative solutions such as artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing and cybersecurity. He has proven ability in managing multidisciplinary teams, driving technological innovation and streamlining internal processes to improve the operational efficiency and profitability of the business.

He has shown his ability to lead R&D&I projects with special emphasis on new technologies, sustainability and the circular economy.

Olatz Unamunzaga

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Olatz Unamunzaga graduated in Biology, has a PhD in Agricultural Science and an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Business Management; she is currently the general manager at NEIKER. She has a strong background in research and management, and has held different posts of responsibility at NEIKER; these included being in charge of innovation, where she drove the application of scientific knowledge to the development of practical solutions for the agrifood sector. Olatz is also the co-coordinator of the BRTA bioeconomy transfer group, which fosters collaboration between research and business. Part of her research career has focused on studying the life cycle assessment applied to agriculture, livestock farming and forestry. Furthermore, Olatz has extensive experience in soil science, aimed at implementing good farming practices, efficient use of nutrients, studying erosion and the soil.

Imanol Pradales Gil

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Ioannis Bakas

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William Neale

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William Neale is Adviser on Circular Economy in the European Commission (Environment Directorate General). His work is currently focused on the Circular Economy Act and Clean Industrial Deal, Ecodesign, the Digital Product Passport, and Sustainable Finance Taxonomy.

Mr. Neale previously served for 11 years as a Member of Cabinet (private office) of European Commissioners for Science and Research, and for Environment, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. He worked for 7 years in the Commission’s Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry (DG GROW), with responsibilities for social economy, then coordination of programmes for SMEs.

He previously spent 13 years in the private sector in international banking, retail, cooperatives and social enterprise and management consultancy. He holds a joint honours Bachelor degree in Economics and History, and a Master degree (M.A. Econ) both from the University of Manchester (UK).

Isabel López Rubio

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