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 [Confirmed]
• Emcees: Paola Fernanda [Confirmed]
Welcome Address
• Leonardo Rojas Mezarina, MD, MSc, Vice Minister of Health, Ministry of Health, Peru [invited]
Welcome Address
• Leonardo Rojas Mezarina, MD, MSc, Vice Minister of Health, Ministry of Health, Peru [invited]
Keynote Addresses
• Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) [Confirmed]
• Andres Acosta, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic [Confirmed]
Overview of the Current Nutrition Landscape in the Latin America Region Global Lens
• Eileen Kennedy, DSc, Professor, Nutrition Epi & Data Science, Tufts University (SAC) [Confirmed]
Regional speakers:
• Israel Rios-Castillo, Regional Nutrition Officer, FAO [Confirmed]
• Anselm Hennis, MB,BS,MSc., PhD, DLSHTM, FRCP, FACP, Dir. NCD, PAHO/WHO [Confirmed]
Overview of the Current Nutrition Landscape in the Latin America Region Global Lens
• Eileen Kennedy, DSc, Professor, Nutrition Epi & Data Science, Tufts University (SAC) [Confirmed]
Regional speakers:
• Israel Rios-Castillo, Regional Nutrition Officer, FAO [Confirmed]
• Anselm Hennis, MB,BS,MSc., PhD, DLSHTM, FRCP, FACP, Dir. NCD, PAHO/WHO [Confirmed]
The Role of Dairy in Addressing Micronutrient Deficiencies
Moderator & Lead: Cristina Palacios, SAC
Panel:
• Eileen Kennedy, DSc, Professor, Nutrition Epi & Data Science, Tufts University [Confirmed]
• Israel Rios-Castillo, Regional Nutrition Officer, FAO [Confirmed]
• Kimberly Avila Edwards MD, MSHCT, FAAP, Associate Chair for Advocacy & Associate Professor of Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin [Confirmed]
• Dr. Anselm Hennis, MB,BS,MSc., PhD, DLSHTM, FRCP, FACP, Dir. NCD, PAHO/WHO [Confirmed]
Coffee Break - Marriott Hotel
Coffee Break - Marriott Hotel
The Role of Dairy in Supporting a Healthy Pregnancy
• Alison Steiber, Chief Mission, Impact and Strategy Officer, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAC) [Confirmed]
• Yolanda Lawson, MD, FACOG, OBGYN, Baylor University Medical Center [Confirmed]
From Science to Clinical Practice: Increasing Dairy Consumption in Latin America to Support Healthy Pregnancies in the Region
Moderator & Lead: Katie Brown, NDC
Panel:
• Alison Steiber, Chief Mission, Impact and Strategy Officer, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics [Confirmed]
• Patricio López Jaramillo, MD, Universidad de Santander [Confirmed]
• Yolanda Lawson, MD, FACOG, OBGYN, Baylor University Medical Center [Confirmed]
From Science to Clinical Practice: Increasing Dairy Consumption in Latin America to Support Healthy Pregnancies in the Region
Moderator & Lead: Katie Brown, NDC
Panel:
• Alison Steiber, Chief Mission, Impact and Strategy Officer, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics [Confirmed]
• Patricio López Jaramillo, MD, Universidad de Santander [Confirmed]
• Yolanda Lawson, MD, FACOG, OBGYN, Baylor University Medical Center [Confirmed]
Networking Lunch Buffet - Marriott Hotel
Dairy’s Role in Child Health and Global School Meal Programs
• Arlene Mitchell, Executive Director, Global Child Nutrition Foundation [Confirmed]
• Ronald Kleinman, MD, Physician in Chief Emeritus, MassGeneral for Children [Confirmed] and Charles Wilder Distinguished Professor, Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School [Confirmed]
• Heather Eicher-Miller, PhD, Professor, Purdue University [Confirmed]
Dairy’s Role in Child Health and Global School Meal Programs
• Arlene Mitchell, Executive Director, Global Child Nutrition Foundation [Confirmed]
• Ronald Kleinman, MD, Physician in Chief Emeritus, MassGeneral for Children [Confirmed] and Charles Wilder Distinguished Professor, Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School [Confirmed]
• Heather Eicher-Miller, PhD, Professor, Purdue University [Confirmed]
Case Study: School Milk Program in Uruguay
• Caren Zelmonovich, Uruguay School Meal Program [Confirmed]
Improving Children’s Diets and Fostering the Continued Success and Scaling of School Feeding Programs
Moderator: Krysta Harden, CEO & President, U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), United States
Panel:
• Arlene Mitchell, Executive Director, Global Child Nutrition Foundation [Confirmed]
• Ronald Kleinman, MD, Physician in Chief Emeritus, MassGeneral for Children and Charles Wilder Distinguished Professor, Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School [Confirmed]
• Heather Eicher-Miller, PhD, Professor, Purdue University [Confirmed]
• Caren Zelmonovich, Uruguay School Meal Program [Confirmed]
Improving Children’s Diets and Fostering the Continued Success and Scaling of School Feeding Programs
Moderator: Krysta Harden, CEO & President, U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), United States
Panel:
• Arlene Mitchell, Executive Director, Global Child Nutrition Foundation [Confirmed]
• Ronald Kleinman, MD, Physician in Chief Emeritus, MassGeneral for Children and Charles Wilder Distinguished Professor, Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School [Confirmed]
• Heather Eicher-Miller, PhD, Professor, Purdue University [Confirmed]
• Caren Zelmonovich, Uruguay School Meal Program [Confirmed]
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
• Shawna Morris, Executive Vice President, Trade Policy & Global Affairs, USDEC [Confirmed]
Opening Remarks
• Shawna Morris, Executive Vice President, Trade Policy & Global Affairs, USDEC [Confirmed]
The Science Behind Dairy Fat: Unpacking the Evidence Supporting Fat Flexibility
• Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, Director, Tufts Food is Medicine Institute, Tufts University [Confirmed]
• Andrew Mente, PhD, Associate Professor, Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University [Confirmed]
State of the Science: The Dairy Food Matrix
• Arne Astrup, MD, DMSc, Senior Vice President, Medlem of Executive Leadership Team, Novo Nordisk Foundation [Confirmed]
State of the Science: The Dairy Food Matrix
• Arne Astrup, MD, DMSc, Senior Vice President, Medlem of Executive Leadership Team, Novo Nordisk Foundation [Confirmed]
Expert Perspectives on Dairy Fat and the Dairy Matrix
Moderator & Lead: Katie Brown, NDC
Panel:
• Arne Astrup, MD, DMSc, Senior Vice President, Medlem of Executive Leadership Team, Novo Nordisk Foundation [Confirmed]
• Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, Director, Tufts Food is Medicine Institute, Tufts University [Confirmed]
• Andrew Mente, PhD, Associate Professor, Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University [Confirmed]
Coffee Break - Marriott Hotel
Coffee Break - Marriott Hotel
Applying Science to Clinical Practice: Recommending Dairy to Support Patients’ Cardiometabolic Health
Moderator & Lead: Moises Torres-Gonzalez, NDC
Panel:
• Rodrigo Valenzuela, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile (SAC) [Confirmed]
• Patricio López Jaramillo, MD, Universidad de Santander [Confirmed]
• Andres Acosta, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic [Confirmed]
The Landscape of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) Globally and in Latin America
• Verónika Molina Barrera, Independent Consultant, FAO, UNICEF [Confirmed]
• Cristina Palacios, PhD, SAC [Confirmed]
The Landscape of Food-Based Nutrition Guidance Globally and in Latin America
• Verónika Molina Barrera, Independent Consultant, FAO, UNICEF [Confirmed]
• Cristina Palacios, PhD, SAC [Confirmed]
The Role of Animal-Source Foods in Food Systems Transformation
• Shibani Ghosh, PhD, MS, Associate Professor, Division of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Ecology at Cornell University [Confirmed]
• Alice Stanton, MB, BSc, PhD, FRCPI, Professor, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland [Confirmed]
Networking Lunch Buffet - Marriott Hotel
Networking Lunch Buffet - Marriott Hotel
Dairy’s Role in Healthy, Affordable Diets and Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs)
Moderator & Lead: Kuda Lamin-Bangura, NDC
Panel:
• Alice Stanton, MB, BSc, PhD, FRCPI, Professor, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland [Confirmed]
• Verónika Molina Barrera, Independent Consultant, FAO, UNICEF [Confirmed]
• Shibani Ghosh, PhD, MS, Associate Professor, Division of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University [Confirmed]
• Kennya Siqueira, DSc, Researcher, Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation); Affiliated Professor, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Brazil [Confirmed]
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) [Confirmed]
· Kyla Lara-Breitinger, MD, MS, Cardiologist Division of Cardiovascular Prevention and Division of Echocardiography [Confirmed]
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) [Confirmed]
· Kyla Lara-Breitinger, MD, MS, Cardiologist Division of Cardiovascular Prevention and Division of Echocardiography [Confirmed]
Closing Remarks
• Jaime Castaneda, Executive Vice President, Policy Development USDEC [Confirmed]
• Teresa Stella Mera Gómez, LLM, Minister of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Peru [Invited]