Plenary Speakers
Register to join
Plenary Session – I
1:00 – 3:00 pm, Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Moderator – Mónica Blanco
1:00 – 1:30 pm, Wednesday, November 3 – Plenary I
Dr. Jesús Fabián López-Perez
Researcher and Professor
UANL
Digital Transformation
Fabian has performed on Digital Transformation & Data Science leading & managing roles in several companies during the last 35 years. Research & Consulting Professor at UANL since 2002 & in Texas State Univ. from 2013-2016. He has a cross-Industry relevant experience in Retail-CPG, Consulting Services & Manufacturing translating complex predictive & optimization models into business value. His current projects are related to Pricing & Revenue Optimization, Promotional Assortment Planning, Basket & Promotions Recommendation, Category & Planograms Optimization and E-commerce Click-Stream Web Analytics. Other previous projects are Call Center Analytics, People Talent Analytics, Organizational Sentiment Analysis, Workforce & Staff Optimization, Optimal Territory Design & Routing among others.
His career & contribution is focused in advise customers & provide business value through Advanced Analytics & Digital Transformation solutions. During the last 25 years he has been leading multi-disciplinary business projects to improve utilization of resources in manufacturing, transportation & supply chain. Extensive experience on Advanced Analytics solutions related to Network & Territory Design, Set Covering & Facility Location, Supply Chain Analytics, Multi-Echelon Inventory Optimization, Picking, Routing & Timetabling Optimization, Predictive Maintenance and IoT Analytics, etc. Fabian has a successful path in value generation through business projects in multiple functional areas.
Fabian is SNI Fellow Level 2 (2020-2024), this is highest country-wide distinction granted by Mexican National Council for Science and Technology. (www.conacyt.gob.mx). He has a Post-Doct at Texas State University and a Doctorate Degree (Ph.D.) in Management Science at Univ. de Nuevo Leon. Master Degree in Industrial Engineering and Bachelors on Computer Science & Mechatronics. Additionally, Fabian has earned Advanced professional Certifications as Certified Analytics Professional (CAPs – INFORMS), Predictive Analytics Certification from SAP and Certified in Production & Inventory Management (CPIM-APICS). Fabian has published several works in USA related to technical reports, 2 books in Operations Research field and scientific papers at Indexed Journals. He has a deep expertise in Operations Research and Predictive Analytics Techniques like Multivariate Analysis, Cluster Analysis, Factor Analysis, Random Forests, Robust Regression, Support Vector Machines, Structural Equation Modeling, Linear Mixed Integer Programming, Genetic Algorithms, etc.
1:40 – 2:10 pm, Wednesday, November 3 – Plenary II
Dr. Federico Guadalupe Figueroa Garza
Professor
UANL
Monterrey, Mexico
Geointelligence as a key driver of digital Transformation
Originally from Monterrey, Mexico, Doctor in Administration with a specialty in Technological Innovation from the Autonomous University of Nuevo León with more than 17 years of professional experience.
In his career there are companies like Heineken working in the areas of information technology, marketing and competitive intelligence. In Rivertrend where he works as CIO supporting federal projects such as FONDEN, FONHAPO in the consulting part in geographic information systems and in the private sector doing business geointelligence consulting and data analysis.
He is a SNI Candidate and works as Research Professor and Research Coordinator at the UANL – School of Business.
2:15 – 2:45 pm, Wednesday, November 3 – Plenary III
Reynol Eloy Villarreal González
Professor at UANL
Monterrey, Mexico
Industry 4.0 Elements: Implications and Future Perspectives
Reynol Villarreal graduated in Accounting and Auditor Certified, received a Master degree in International Business Administration in UANL and currently student a PhD in University San Martin de Porres Lima, Peru. He is currently an Associate Professor of Facpya Uanl in International Business since 2006. He works actually in Victory Packaging into the Financing area in Credit, Collections and Leader in Cash Applications since 2007.His current research interest in Industry 4.0 ,Digital Transformation and Information Systems recognizing the importance for the actual information system and business components essential in enterprises wanting to go digital.
Plenary Session II
3:00 – 5:00 pm, Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Moderator – Jenny
3:00 – 3:30 pm, Wednesday, November 3 – Plenary IV
Ing. Saul Marenco
Senior Vice-President
Neoris
Become an Intelligent Enterprise
Saul Marenco, with more than 20 years of experience in consulting and business management, Saúl oversees and manages the most important business partners for NEORIS. Under his supervision are more than 500 consultants with skills in multiple technologies, ranging from cloud implementation, e-commerce, mobile applications, ERP, artificial intelligence and data science, internet of things, among some others.
He has extensive knowledge and relevant experiences in various industrial sectors, highlighting those related to telecommunications, manufacturing, CPG, and retail, both in Mexico and in other countries. Before joining NEORIS, he collaborated for prominent companies such as: Accenture, Deloitte and Axtel. His high sense of business and focus on results have allowed him to contribute to the development of the industry in Mexico, offering results at a local and global level.
Likewise, Saúl is CEO of ActiveTrac, a relevant fleet management solution based on the Internet of Things, for multiple industries.
Saúl graduated from Tecnológico de Monterrey as an Electrical Mechanical Engineer, and he holds a master’s degree in management from IPADE and different accreditations from the Stanford Graduate School, INSEAD and EGADE.
3:40 – 4:10 pm, Wednesday, November 3 – Plenary V
Ing. Berenice Navarro
Engine Systems & HVAC Project Responsable
Ciudad de México
México
Design for Manufacturing and Assembly in the Automotive Industry
Alejandrina Berenice is an experienced Project Lead Engineer with nineteen years of automotive industry experience in the areas of design, product engineering and engineering project management for Delphi Automotive Systems, General Motors and currently in Stellantis (previously Fiat Chrysler Automobile). Her areas of expertise are: product development, project management, mechanical design, supplier management, engineering problem solving, global team work and management.
Berenice holds a Bachelor degree in Mechatronics engineering with a diploma in Industrial Automation with a Master in Science in Automotive Engineering from the university of Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico. Berenice won a luminary Award in the HENAAC – Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Awards Conference in 2013 for making significant contributions to the Hispanic technical community as leader and role model.
4:15 – 4:45 pm, Wednesday, November 3 – Plenary VI
Ing. Alejandro Villarreal
Director, Commercial Operations & Partner Experience
Expedia Group
Bellevue, Washington
eCommerce, Analysis of Users’ Behavior in Latin America and how to attract them
Alejandro Villarreal graduated from the University of Monterrey with a Bachelor Degree in Information Technologies, and is professional in that area with more than 15 years of experience focusing on the integration of systems (B2B) for companies like Accenture, SAP and Bank of America. He is currently the Director of Commercial Operations and Partner Experience for North and Latin American in Expedia Group (Expedia.com, Hotels.com, Orbitz.com, Trivago, among others). Alejandro and his team give consulting and support to companies that want to integrate their technology with the solutions that Expedia Partner Solutions can offer (B2B & B2C).
Plenary Session – III
1:00 – 3:00 pm, Thursday, November 4, 2021
Moderator: Hussein
1:00 – 1:30 pm, Thursday, November 4 – Plenary VII
Dr. Dimitru Nedelcu
Professor
Technical University of Iasi
Romania
The Behavior of Biodegradable Materials in Injection Molding and 3D Printing Processes
Dumitru Nedelcu is a Professor and Ph.D supervisor at the “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi (TUIASI), Romania, Manager of Fine Mechanics and Nanotechnology Laboratory, President of ModTech Professional Association with 13 branches abroad, ModTech International Conference and Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Modern Manufacturing Technologies, Advanced Engineering Forum, International Journal of Manufacturing Economics and Management and International Journal of Hybrid Information Technology. His research topics: processing and characterization of polymeric and biodegradable materials; management of industrial manufacturing projects. He was a Visiting Professor at TAT, Institute of Engineering, Tokyo, Guest Professor at Joining and Welding Research Institute, Osaka University, Japan and Grenoble Institute of Technology, France. He had Erasmus teaching internships in prestigious universities from Poland, Italy and Mexico. Since with October 2016 he was accepted as Visiting Professor at the Silesian University of Technology, Mechanical Engineering Faculty, Gliwice, Poland. As far as research is concerned, he coordinated 15 national and international projects as project manager/responsible and member in other 16 research projects. He was invited to give 26 lectures, as plenary speaker/keynote speaker/invited speaker at different international conferences and over the years he got 22 national / international awards. Throughout his career, he received a TEMPUS and Romanian Government scholarship at Escuela Tecnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid. He has published more than 185 scientific papers on ISI and BDI journals and international conferences proceedings. He serves on various journals and conferences review committees.
1:40 – 2:10 pm, Thursday, November 4 – Plenary VIII
Dr. Jamison Kovach
PMI Houston Endowed Professor in Project Management
University of Houston
Texas, USA
Data: Guilty Until Proven Innocent
Dr. Kovach is the PMI Houston Endowed Professor in Project Management at the University of Houston. She received her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Clemson University. Her industrial experience includes more than five years as a product and process improvement engineer in the U.S. textile industry. Her current research investigates the use of methods for product and process innovation, expanding the use of these methods, and developing new improvement approaches in a wide range of industries/fields. In recognition of her work, Dr. Kovach was awarded the 2010 ASQ (formerly the American Society for Quality) Feigenbaum Medal. She is an Academician in the International Academy for Quality and an ASQ Fellow. Dr. Kovach currently serves as the Editor for Lean & Six Sigma Review, a quarterly ASQ publication, and she received the ASQ Six Sigma Forum Award for the Advancement of Six Sigma in 2019.
2:15 – 2:45 pm, Thursday, November 4 – Plenary IX
Edgardo J. Escalante−Vázquez, PhD, MBB
Professor Emeritus in Industrial Engineering
Tecnológico de Monterrey
Mexico
RSM Using Paper Helicopters
Dr. Edgardo J. Escalante is a Professor Emeritus in industrial engineering at Tecnológico de Monterrey. He has also been a consultant in applied statistics, Six Sigma, problem solving, and quality and productivity improvement in México, North, South and Central América for 36 years,. Some of the companies he has worked as a consultant or instructor are General Motors, Carplastic, Rassini, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Xerox, Cummins, Nemak, General Electric Lighting, FEMSA and John Deere.
Dr. Escalante has a PhD in Management Science from Lancaster University, a Master of Science degree in industrial engineering from the Ohio State University, the Diploma of Higher Studies in Sciences from L’Université de Rennes, and a BSc in Electronics and Communications Engineering from ITESM. He is also a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt from the ASQ, and a Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt from SigmaPro. He has written the books in Spanish: Six-Sigma, Design of Experiments, SPC, and The Analysis and Improvement of Quality.
Plenary Session IV
3:00 – 5:00 pm, Thursday, November 4, 2021
Moderator: Fernando
3:00 – 3:30 pm, Thursday, November 4 – Plenary X
Francisco Santos
Global Quality Director
Metalsa
Metalsa Operating System and Industry 4.0
Francisco Santos is the Chair-Elect on ASQ’s Board of Directors, as well as a past ASQ´s Treasurer and member of the Board. Paco has over 25 years of experience as a quality, project management, operations, business development and finance professional and is certified as CMQ/OE. He is currently the Global Quality Director at Metalsa, a global automotive supplier with operations in Mexico, the United States, Brazil, Argentina, India and Thailand. He is a Senior member of ASQ and has served as the Chair of the Monterrey Section. He holds an MBA from EGADE Business School.
3:40 – 4:10 pm, Thursday, November 4 – Plenary XI
Dr. Simona Mihaita
Data Science Institute
Future Mobility Lab
University of Technology Sydney
Australia
The next generation of Digital Twins for smart cities
Simona is a Senior Lecturer in the University of Technology in Sydney, leading the Future Mobility lab . Her research focus is around data science and artificial intelligence for transport prediction, simulation modelling and optimisation of future mobility in smart cities. She holds several leadership roles in various initiatives such as the Australian-Singapore ARC Linkage Partnership, the Premiere’s Innovation Initiative, the On-Demand Mobility trials in Northern Beaches, the connected trucks trials and the electric vehicle impact moelling. She is finalist in the 2019 Australian Smart Cities Award, nominated for the 2019 Prime Minister’s Science Awards, and team winner of the 2018 National ITS Awards.
4:15 – 4:45 pm, Thursday, November 4 – Plenary XII
Dr. Francisco Cantú Ortiz
Professor and Researcher
Tecnológico de Monterrey
Mexico
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation 2030: Social and Ethical Considerations
Francisco J. Cantu-Ortiz is Professor of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at Tecnológico de Monterrey. He is member of the Advisory Board for QS-World University Rankings and associate editor of various journals and conferences. His research interests include data science, AI analytics, science & technology management, and philosophy of science & religion. He has published more than 100 scientific documents and is a certified researcher by the National Council for Science and Technology, Mexico. He holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Edinburgh, UK, an MSc in Computer Science from North Dakota State University, USA, and a BSc in Computer Systems Engineering from Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM), México. He has supervised around 30 PhD and master theses in Computer Science
Plenary Session – V
1:00 – 3:00 pm, Friday, November 5, 2021
Moderator: Gaby Mtz
1:00 – 1:30 pm, Friday, November 5 – Plenary XIII
Dr. Laura Peña Parás
Professor and Researcher
Engineering Department
University of Monterrey (UDEM)
Monterrey, Mexico
Topic: Nanolubricants for Metalworking Applications
Laura Peña Parás has been a Professor of the Engineering Department at the University of Monterrey since 2010 and has professional experience as a Materials Engineer at Jacobs Engineering from 2008-2010. She graduated as a Mechanical Engineer Administrator, studies carried out at the University of Monterrey (UDEM) with the Award Scholarship, obtaining the Cum Laude distinction. She completed her doctoral studies in Materials Science from Rice University in Houston, Texas. Her areas of specialty are nanotechnology and advanced materials for the metal-mechanical industry. She has been recognized as a National Researcher Level I by the National System of Researchers of CONACYT. She has international publications and patents, as well as participation in conferences. In recognition to the development of a project that applies nanotechnology to lubricants to reduce wear in industrial machinery, the MIT Technology Review distinguished her as one of the “10 best innovators in Mexico” in 2013. This project is part of the permanent interactive exhibition “Interdisciplina” from the Mexican museum Papalote Museo del Niño, in Monterrey, inaugurated in 2018. She obtained the “Pro Magistro Roberto Garza Sada” Award for her outstanding teaching work at UDEM and the “UDEM’s Research Career Award” in 2018. She was recently awarded the “2019 Research Award” from the Mexican Academy of Sciences in the Engineering and Technology Area.
1:40 – 2:10 pm, Friday, November 5 – Plenary XIV
Ing José Luis González Mona
Software Quality Assurance Lead
Common Securitization Solutions
Software Quality Assurance in FinTech, current trends and what’s coming
Jose Luis Gonzalez is a Quality Assurance Engineer from Monterrey, Mexico. He obtained his Bachelors Degree in Electronic Systems Engineering in 2007, from Tecnologico de Monterrey. Since 2008, he has focused on Software Quality Assurance, working first in the telecom industry for clients like Nokia and Texas Instruments. Then since 2009, after joining Accenture, he moved to the Financial Services area supporting clients in the USA. Jose moved to the United States in 2014 to support a Mortgage Securitization project. In 2017 he was invited to join Common Securitization Solutions (CSS), a FinTech company that supports the Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security (UMBS). CSS is a joint-venture of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the United States, where Jose has gained vast experience related to top technology, automation, Agile methodology, and the best practices in the SDLC.
2:15 – 2:45 pm, Friday, November 5 – Plenary XV
Dr. Jorge Lozoya
Professor
Engineering and Science School
Core Researcher, Automotive Consortium for Cyberphysical Systems
School of Engineering and Sciences
Tecnológico de Monterrey
Mexico
Conscious Technologies for Smart Communities: Case
Jorge de-J. Lozoya-Santos received a BE in Electronic Engineering in Instituto Tecnológico de la Laguna, Torreón, México (2000), a Master Science in Automation (2005) and PhD Degree in Mechatronics and Advances Materials (2013) from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Monterrey, México with research stays in GIPSA-Lab, INPG, Grenoble, France. Jorge has current collaborations with Politecnico di Milano, Italy; Institute Polytechnique de Grenoble, France; Universita degli Studi di Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italia among others. He is a member of the National System of Researchers in Mexico Category 1. He is part of the national network of reviewers of CONACYT projects. Besides, He is reviewer of international journal articles. He has more than 25 international conferences, 10 indexed journals and 4 patent application. His research interests are intelligent transportation systems, modeling and control of systems, applied automatic control and automotive systems. He has experience in industry as process engineer and automation leader, and in academy as Professor and Director of Scientific Research. Dr. Lozoya Santos is Research Professor in Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences.
Plenary Session – VI
3:00 – 5:00 pm, Friday, November 5, 2021
Moderator: Osmar
3:00 – 3:30 pm, Friday, November 5 – Plenary XVI
Fabiola Solorio
Director FP&A, Carrier HVAC
Fabiola Solorio
Director FP&A, Carrier HVAC HQ
Co-Chair, Women’s Empowerment @Carrier
Charlotte, NC
Business in a changing environment
Fabiola Solorio is Director, Financial Planning and Analysis, Global HVAC at Carrier. She has a bachelor’s degree in International Finance from the University of Monterrey (Mexico), an MBA from NEOMA Business School (France) and finance courses from University of Vaasa (Finland). She graduated from two leadership programs ELEVATE at Carrier (USA) and Executive Program at Rotman Business School (Canada). She joined Carrier in 2010 and in her current role she oversees the financial reporting, forecast process, annual planning and works closely with the CFOs and leadership team to support the delivery of strategic commitments. Prior to her current role, Fabiola was the CFO for Chubb Canada, where she worked closely with sales and operations to provide support and direction, looking for efficiency, cost opportunities and cash conversion. Through her career, Fabiola has participated in two ERP implementations and several special projects, working with multiple groups across the organization. She is actively involved in diversity & inclusion activities, co-leading We@Carrier, an employee resource group which mission is to promote, support and inspire women across the organization, creating a diverse and inclusive environment. She is an IMA member.
3:40 – 4:10 pm, Friday, November 5 – Plenary XVII
Lydia Gutierrez
President
Hacienda Mexican Foods
Detroit, Michigan
Promoting woman and entrepreneurship to achieve economic growth in an urban neighborhood
Lydia Gutierrez serves as President and CEO of Hacienda Mexican Foods a manufacturer of Tortillas and tortilla chips located in Detroit, Michigan. HMF is a multimillion-dollar company co-founded by Lydia and her late husband in 1990. As President, Lydia is responsible for running all facets of her business. She has a proven track record with more than 30 years of experience in the food business. Over the years she has grown her manufacturing company from a two-person operation to employing more than 70 people. Lydia is an entrepreneur, she understands the food industry and the importance of compliance, supply chain operations, including, manufacturing, research and development, procurement, distribution, planning, transportation, inventory management, quality and more importantly the production floor. She has been at the forefront of Hispanic woman in manufacturing and received a lifetime achievement award from Michigan Food & Beverage Association and inducted to the Hall of Fame for the Tortilla Industry Association in 2020. She has served as the Board Chair to many Associations and numerous Executive Boards including, New Economy Initiative, Tortilla Industry Association, Food Policy Council for the State of Michigan, Crime Stoppers, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Henry Ford Health Systems, New Detroit, Child’s Hope, Academy of America School, Latino Family Services and Co-Chaired the “Woman In-Action” conference sponsored by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. Lydia attended Lee University and is the daughter of immigrant parents.
Kaustubh Kale
Hacienda Mexican Foods
Detroit, Michigan
Kaustubh Kale received his Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Lawrence Technological University, Michigan, USA in May 2020. He graduated from Savatribai Phule Pune University in India having major in Mechanical Engineering in 2015. Has a Six Sigma Green Belt certification, also successfully achieved implementation in Lean manufacturing tools & techniques for process improvement working as a Lean Manufacturing Engineer in India. Kaustubh has received ‘Outstanding Student Leadership Award’ at IEOM Detroit, USA conference in 2020. Currently he is working as an Industrial Engineer at ‘Hacienda Mexican Foods’ Detroit since 2020 and successfully achieved process improvements by implementing Lean Tools, reductions in waste by close monitoring & streamlining production schedule also working on different projects for developing SOP, maintenance program.
4:15 – 4:45 pm, Friday, November 5 – Plenary XVIII
Albes Rafael Urdaneta Urdaneta
Energy Manager
Ternium
Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
Albes Urdaneta is Energy Manager at Ternium Mexico since 2019. He is focused on working to produce green steel, without CO2 emissions. Albes manages Ternium Mexico’s Energy Efficiency Team, Controlling energy capex and executing / coordinating energy projects, and is also responsible for implementing ISO in the main plants. He has been working on Energy Efficiency matters since 2014.
Albes graduated with honors and ANFEI recognition from the Universidad Regiomontana, from Mechanical Engineering, and continued his studies with a Master in Mechatronics.
Albes is passionate about having a carbon-free economy.