Program
25-26 February, 2026
JW Marriott Hotel, Miraflores, Lima - Perú
This two-day, invitation-only Congress will convene leading public health officials, national health organizations, nutrition experts and clinicians from most Latin American countries to increase the alignment of nutritional policies across the Americas with up-to-date science.
Elevate awareness
among health officials, practitioners, and nutrition leaders about the role of dairy in improving health outcomes across the lifespan.
Strengthen understanding
among nutritional thought leaders across Latin America about the scientific basis for dairy’s role in health and nutrition.
Foster collaboration
with regional partners and government entities to support sustainable, affordable and nutrient-dense food systems.
Event Program
The Congress program will feature keynote speeches, plenaries, expert panels, and case studies. Topics will span from maternal health and child nutrition to cardiometabolic wellness and dietary guidelines.
Introduces the Congress with Keynote addresses linking dairy’s role to generational nutrition and public health goals. Subsequent sessions highlight the importance of dairy in addressing micronutrient deficiencies, supporting healthy pregnancies, and improving child health. The day concludes with interactive discussions on scaling nutrition programs and a networking reception to deepen collaboration.
Networking Breakfast and Registration - Marriott Hotel
Networking Breakfast and Registration - Marriott hotel
Opening Remarks
• Krysta Harden CEO & President U.S. Dairy Export Council
• Emcees: Edgar Vasquez, Former Peruvian Minister of Commerce, and Paola Fernanda
Welcome Address
• Ricardo Peña Sánchez Vice Minister of Public Health in Peru (Invited)
Welcome Address
• Ricardo Peña Sánchez Vice Minister of Public Health in Peru (Invited)
Keynote Addresses
• Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
• Andres Acosta, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic
Overview of the Current Nutrition Landscape in the Latin America Region Global Lens
Global speaker:
• Eileen Kennedy, DSc, Professor, Nutrition Epi & Data Science, Tufts University (SAC)
Regional speakers:
• Israel Rios-Castillo, Regional Nutrition Officer, FAO
• PAHO Director General Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr. (Invited)
Overview of the Current Nutrition Landscape in the Latin America Region Global Lens
Global speaker:
• Eileen Kennedy, DSc, Professor, Nutrition Epi & Data Science, Tufts University (SAC)
Regional speakers:
• Israel Rios-Castillo, Regional Nutrition Officer, FAO
• PAHO Director General Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr. (Invited)
The Role of Dairy in Addressing Micronutrient Deficiencies
Panel
• Eileen Kennedy, DSc, Professor, Nutrition Epi & Data Science, Tufts University
• Israel Rios-Castillo, Regional Nutrition Officer, FAO
• Kimberly Avila Edwards MD, MSHCT, FAAP, Associate Chair for Advocacy & Associate Professor of Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin
• PAHO Director General Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr. (Invited)
Coffee Break - Marriott Hotel
Coffee Break - Marriott Hotel
The Role of Dairy in Supporting a Healthy Pregnancy
Global speaker:
• Alison Steiber, Chief Mission, Impact and Strategy Officer, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAC)
Health professional option
• Yolanda Lawson, MD, FACOG, OBGYN, Baylor University Medical Center
From Science to Clinical Practice: Increasing Dairy Consumption in Latin America to Support Healthy Pregnancies in the Region
Panel:
• Alison Steiber, Chief Mission, Impact and Strategy Officer, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Patricio López Jaramillo, MD, Universidad de Santander
• Yolanda Lawson, MD, FACOG, OBGYN, Baylor University Medical Center
From Science to Clinical Practice: Increasing Dairy Consumption in Latin America to Support Healthy Pregnancies in the Region
Panel:
• Alison Steiber, Chief Mission, Impact and Strategy Officer, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Patricio López Jaramillo, MD, Universidad de Santander
• Yolanda Lawson, MD, FACOG, OBGYN, Baylor University Medical Center
Networking Lunch Buffet - Marriott Hotel
Dairy’s Role in Child Health and Global School Meal Programs
• Arlene Mitchell, Executive Director, Global Child Nutrition Foundation
• Ronald Kleinman, MD, Physician in Chief Emeritus, MassGeneral for Children and Charles Wilder Distinguished Professor, Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
• Heather Eicher-Miller, PhD, Professor, Purdue University
Dairy’s Role in Child Health and Global School Meal Programs
• Arlene Mitchell, Executive Director, Global Child Nutrition Foundation
• Ronald Kleinman, MD, Physician in Chief Emeritus, MassGeneral for Children and Charles Wilder Distinguished Professor, Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
• Heather Eicher-Miller, PhD, Professor, Purdue University
Case Study: School Milk Program
• Caren Zelmonovich, Uruguay School Meal Program (Invited)
Improving Children’s Diets and Fostering the Continued Success and Scaling of School Feeding Programs
• Krysta Harden CEO & President USDEC
Panelists:
• Arlene Mitchell, Executive Director, Global Child Nutrition Foundation
• Ronald Kleinman, MD, Physician in Chief Emeritus, MassGeneral for Children and Charles Wilder Distinguished Professor, Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
• Heather Eicher-Miller, PhD, Professor, Purdue University
• Caren Zelmonovich Uruguay School Meal Program (Invited)
Improving Children’s Diets and Fostering the Continued Success and Scaling of School Feeding Programs
• Krysta Harden CEO & President USDEC
Panelists:
• Arlene Mitchell, Executive Director, Global Child Nutrition Foundation
• Ronald Kleinman, MD, Physician in Chief Emeritus, MassGeneral for Children and Charles Wilder Distinguished Professor, Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
• Heather Eicher-Miller, PhD, Professor, Purdue University
• Caren Zelmonovich Uruguay School Meal Program (Invited)
Adjourn
Bus Departure for Cocktail Hour and Reception
Cocktail Hour and Dinner Reception
Cocktail Hour - Huaca Pucllana Museum
Covers a wide range of topics, beginning with the latest science on dairy fat, the dairy matrix, and cardiometabolic health. Discussions will also address the role of dairy and other animal-source foods in national nutrition guidelines, healthy food systems, and ensuring affordable, nutrient-rich diets. The day closes with expert reflections on regional strategies, policies, and collaborations to advance health and nutrition outcomes across all life stages
Networking Breakfast and Registration - Marriott Hotel
Opening Remarks
• TBA
Opening Remarks
• TBA
The Science Behind Dairy Fat: Unpacking the Evidence Supporting Fat Flexibility
• Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, Director, Tufts Food is Medicine Institute, Tufts University
• Andrew Mente, PhD, Associate Professor, Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University
State of the Science: The Dairy Food Matrix
• Arne Astrup, MD, DMSc, Senior Vice President, Medlem of Executive Leadership Team, Novo Nordisk Foundation
State of the Science: The Dairy Food Matrix
• Arne Astrup, MD, DMSc, Senior Vice President, Medlem of Executive Leadership Team, Novo Nordisk Foundation
Expert Perspectives on Dairy Fat and the Dairy Matrix
Panel:
• Arne Astrup, MD, DMSc, Senior Vice President, Medlem of Executive Leadership Team, Novo Nordisk Foundation
• Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, Director, Tufts Food is Medicine Institute, Tufts University
• Andrew Mente, PhD, Associate Professor, Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University
Coffee Break - Marriott Hotel
Coffee Break - Marriott Hotel
Applying Science to Clinical Practice: Recommending Dairy to Support Patients’ Cardiometabolic Health
Panel:
• Rodrigo Valenzuela, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile (SAC)
• Patricio López Jaramillo, MD, Universidad de Santander
• Andres Acosta, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic
The Landscape of Food-Based Nutrition Guidance Globally and in Latin America
• Verónika Molina Barrera, Independent Consultant, FAO, UNICEF
• TBA
The Landscape of Food-Based Nutrition Guidance Globally and in Latin America
• Verónika Molina Barrera, Independent Consultant, FAO, UNICEF
• TBA
The Role of Animal-Source Foods in Food Systems Transformation
• Shibani Ghosh, PhD, MS, Adjunct Associate Professor, Tufts University, Friedman School of Nutrition; Associate Director, US AID Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Nutrition at Tufts University
• TBA
Networking Lunch Buffet - Marriott Hotel
Networking Lunch Buffet - Marriott Hotel
Animal-Source Foods and Dairy Recommendations within Food-Based Nutrition Guidelines
Panel:
• Alice Stanton, MB, BSc, PhD, FRCPI, Professor, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
• Verónika Molina Barrera, Independent Consultant, FAO, UNICEF
• TBA
Dairy's Role in Healthy, Affordable Diets: Myths, Context & Key Messages
Panel:
• Sheryl Hendriks, BSc, BScHons, MSc, PhD, Professor and Director, Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich
• Shibani Ghosh, PhD, MS, Adjunct Associate Professor, Tufts University, Friedman School of Nutrition; Associate Director, US AID Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Nutrition at Tufts University
• TBA
Dairy's Role in Healthy, Affordable Diets: Myths, Context & Key Messages
Panel:
• Sheryl Hendriks, BSc, BScHons, MSc, PhD, Professor and Director, Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich
• Shibani Ghosh, PhD, MS, Adjunct Associate Professor, Tufts University, Friedman School of Nutrition; Associate Director, US AID Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Nutrition at Tufts University
• TBA
Looking Ahead: Exploring Opportunities for Improved Nutrition Outcomes Across the Lifespan
Moderator & Lead: Katie Brown, NDC
Panel:
• Eileen Kennedy, DSc, Professor, Nutrition Epi & Data Science, Tufts University (SAC)
• Kyla Lara-Breitinger, MD, MS, Cardiologist Division of Cardiovascular Prevention and Division of Echocardiography (Invited)