Featured Speakers

The following executives are featured speakers at the Forum.

Ashin Parikh

Sr. Vice President, Global Supply Chain & Operations, Strategy & Transformation
PepsiCo

Ashin is Senior Vice President of Strategy & Transformation (S&T) for Global Supply Chain and Operations for PepsiCo. PepsiCo’s S&T team is evolving the company's digital strategy and accelerating the implementation of our transformation globally. This new model leverages a One PepsiCo approach to deliver business transformation anchored on profitable growth by transforming how we operate through digital, automation and technology capabilities that are unlocked with speed and increase efficiency of services across the company. Ashin began his career with PepsiCo in 1998 as a frontline Supply Chain Leader and has spent his 26-year career in progressive field leadership roles in the areas of Manufacturing, Warehouse, Logistics and Fulfillment.

Chase Christensen

Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Business Units and Enterprise Solutions
Jabil

With a focus on advancing Jabil’s digital transformation, Chase aligns business, IT, and operations to deliver integrated strategies. Leading a global business IT team, he drives optimization of technologies for automation, manufacturing execution systems, production planning, inventory management, and quality control. He also oversees the Enterprise Solutions portfolio, applying deep SAP expertise to strengthen the enterprise technology landscape and standardize processes across finance, operations, and supply chain. Over his 25-year career in IT, Chase has guided enterprise architecture initiatives encompassing technology governance, strategic alignment, software engineering, incubation, and adoption of emerging technologies—fueling innovation and operational efficiency at Jabil.

Magnus Nydén

Head of Innovation
AstraZeneca

Magnus is the Head of Innovation at AstraZeneca, where he leads the Digital Science, Business Development and Science & Innovation teams within Pharmaceutical Technology & Development. With a career spanning both academia and industry, Magnus brings expertise that allows him to act at the interfaces between chemistry, physics, biology, material science, spectroscopy and applied mathematics, including artificial intelligence. At AstraZeneca, Magnus is at the forefront of integrating AI and digital science to transform pharmaceutical development. He leads a program aimed at creating a holistic digital twin of AstraZeneca’s Pharmaceutical Technology & Development business, employing various AI methods, including Generative AI. This initiative seeks to transform the development process, reduce costs, lower the carbon footprint, and enhance efficiency of scientists in the organization, ultimately improving the accessibility and affordability of medicines for our patients. He holds an MSc and PhD in Physical Chemistry/Materials Science (Lund University), specialization in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).

Greg Davidson

Global Commodity Executive
Rolls-Royce North America

Greg serves as the Global Commodity Executive for Rolls-Royce North America. He oversees Rolls-Royce global raw material supply chain that support Rolls-Royce manufacturing operations in 3 different countries. He is a seasoned professional with 20+ years of experience in Supply Chain, Program Management and Engineering. He is responsible for $500 Million in annual spend with over 100+ suppliers around the world. Rolls-Royce spends above $9 billion per year with suppliers each year. Greg is a trained Aerospace Engineer with a passion for new and emerging technology for the aerospace manufacturing Industry.

Chad Wright

Chief Information Officer
Boston Dynamics

Chad is the Chief Information Officer at Boston Dynamics, the global leader in autonomous mobile robotics. An award-winning technology executive with over 30 years of experience, he specializes in building the core IT infrastructure—including ERP, Cybersecurity, and Data Analytics—that allows high-growth technology companies to scale their businesses. Chad holds degrees from the College of the Holy Cross, Bentley University, and the University of Massachusetts. He is also an Adjunct Lecturer in the CIS Department at Bentley University, dedicated to mentoring the next generation of IT leaders.

Nathan Van Rheenen

Director and Chief Engineer, Boeing Ventures
Boeing

Nathan is a senior executive leader and chief engineer focused on venture investment, startup partnerships, strategic alignment, and technology insertion of startup tech with aerospace & defense prime design partners and customers. He has extensive experience in C-level technology strategy creation & operationalization and development / deployment of innovative airborne & ground hardware & software systems and solutions. He has spent over two decades at Boeing where he has held senior leadership roles in AI/ML, connectivity, digital engineering, strategy, and new product development, leading cross-functional global engineering organizations focused on digital modernization and AI enablement that has improved aircraft availability and efficiency; introduced data and connectivity systems and platforms adopted across multiple airplane programs and thousands of aircraft; and established modeling and simulation environments that became enterprise standards.

Michael Hotaling

Technology Scouting, Innovation and Ventures
ExxonMobil

Michael’s scope includes managing the global digital footprint for refining, chemical and midstream operations. Additionally, Michael’s organization represents the business interests in the operations technology/ process control strategy, digital solutions, and ICS cybersecurity. He has been a key member of corporate business transformation activities in recent years to leverage ExxonMobil scale and integration. Michael has over 30 years of manufacturing experience within the refining, chemicals, lubes, supply/trading organizations for ExxonMobil. He has served at 9 different ExxonMobil facilities where his previous roles have included Process Manager, Technical Manager and Maintenance Manager for various operating sites. He has been in the digital and plant computing capacity since 2017.

List of Executive Speakers

New industry solutions are on display at the Innovations Showcase.  The Showcase provides an excellent opportunity for executives to assess the potential for emerging applications in production management, interoperability, virtual manufacturing, process improvement, asset management, operations management, supply chain synchronization, and more.  Exhibits have application scenarios for attendees to see how emerging technologies are applied to help solve issues across all industries.

The Showcase is open during the Monday Evening Reception and during breakfasts, breaks, and lunches.  It is held adjacent to the forum where refreshments are served.

Location

The Forum is held at the Renaissance Orlando Hotel in Orlando, Florida.

Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld  
6677 Sea Harbor Drive  
Orlando, Florida  32821  
renaissanceseaworldorlando.com

Note:  Please make your hotel reservations by contacting the hotel directly or using the link below.  Beware of any offers from third parties selling room reservations pretending to be calling on behalf of ARC or the hotel.

The Renaissance is just a short shuttle or taxi ride from the most popular Orlando attractions and within easy access of Orlando airports. Hotel amenities include complimentary 24 hour fitness center use; transportation to SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove, Aquatica, and Universal Studios Orlando based on shuttle schedule; and public area wireless Internet.

Orlando Visiting Information 
Please contact Orlando's Visitor Information Center at 407-363-5874, www.visitorlando.com, for information regarding current events in Orlando.  For discounted attractions in Orlando, please visit Orlando Convention Aid website.  Their on-line travel guide offers discounts to restaurants, golf, attractions, nightlife, shopping, and more, including making dinner reservations for you.