Where: Ludwig-Maximilian Universität, Leopoldstraße 13, Munich
When: 26th March 2026, 19:00 to 22:00. Registration from 18:30
Food Security and Safety is a more relevant and more prevalent issue than perhaps ever before. As national disasters increase, war hinders both crops and transport and biodiversity loss is resulting in what has become known as, “The Sixth Great Extinction”, how and where our food is and will be sourced in the future is an agenda issue for the world.
As defined by Committee on World Food Security: food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. The four pillars of food security are availability, access, utilization and stability.
Food security also matters directly to the finance industry, as instability in global food systems increases market volatility, credit risks and inflationary pressure. Financial institutions can play a constructive role by financing resilient supply chains, climate-adaptive agriculture and innovative solutions that strengthen long-term stability in global food markets.
In a multi-partner event, The American-German Business Club Munich, LMU and The Liechtenstein Bankers Association will be hosting an event with a panel of experts including innovators and practitioners from around the globe. This will be an enlightening conversation. The event is intended to be an educational event highlighting not only supply chain but the impact of the climate change on world food production and access.
Moderation:
Colinne S. Bartel: CEO, Truffle Time
Speakers:
Hila Cohen
Hila is Deputy Head of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Accelerator and co-chairs the UN Innovation Network (UNIN) for WFP. Since joining the Accelerator at its founding in 2015, she has leveraged her experience in private sector innovation and start-ups, connecting WFP with global partners to advance Zero Hunger and the Sustainable Development Goals. Under her leadership, the WFP Innovation Accelerator has been recognized by Fast Company as one of the ‘Best Workplaces for Innovators’ (2020, 2021, 2024), ‘Most Innovative Companies (Non-Profit)’ (2021), and ‘Innovation Team of the Year’ (2020). Hila also received the Silver Anthem Award for Non Profit Leader of the Year in 2023. Previously, she advised high-tech clients as a corporate lawyer in Tel Aviv and holds an MBA from SDA Bocconi (Italy) and a law degree from the University of Haifa (Israel).
Sophia Johler
Sophia Johler is Chair of Food Microbiology at the Competence Center for Food Safety, LMU Munich. She is Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Food Microbiology and a member of the Board of the European College of Veterinary Public Health. She also served and President of the Swiss Society for Food Hygiene. A veterinarian by training, she completed her doctorate at the University of Zurich and conducted postdoctoral research at NYU, VETMED Vienna, and the BfR Berlin, before taking over a professorial position at University of Zurich and later at LMU Munich. Her research focuses on food safety in the light of the agrifood system transformation and on minimizing the risk of foodborne intoxications.
Dr. Stephanie Bilo
As Chief Client & Investment Solutions Officer and Member of the Executive Management since 1 July 2019, Dr. Stephanie Bilo is responsible for overseeing the Sales, Product Development & Management, and Marketing & Communications teams at responsAbility. With over 20 years of experience in banking and finance, she has developed extensive expertise in sales and distribution, working with institutional investors, family offices, and private clients. Dr. Bilo also possesses in-depth knowledge regarding the structuring of investment solutions and holds a PhD in Finance from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Leon Schumacher
Leon Schumacher is Professor and Chair of Agricultural Biosystems Engineering at North Dakota State University. Previously, he held leadership and faculty positions in Agricultural Systems Management and Biological Engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
He has received several prestigious recognitions throughout his career. In 2021, he was honored with the Provost’s Award for Leadership in International Education from the University of Missouri. His contributions to the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) have been acknowledged through his selection as an ASABE Fellow in 2017, the Presidential Award in 2014, and his service as a member of the Board of Trustees in 2011. In 2013, he received the Biodiesel Innovation Award from the National Biodiesel Board, as well as the Allan W. Purdy Award from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
His scholarly output includes over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, two book chapters, more than 50 non-refereed publications, and in excess of 100 presentations and posters.