Conference Speakers

Gayatri Mehta is a Research Associate at VLB Berlin, focusing on fermenting beverages, particularly Kombucha, through groundbreaking research in the Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Applied Microbiology (BEAM). With early experience at the Barking Deer Brew Pub and Restaurant in Mumbai (2013-2014), Gayatri oversaw the entire production process, managing tasks like CIP, malt milling, and sensory evaluation. At the Research Institute of Beer and Beverage Analysis (FIBGA) at VLB Berlin (2018-2022), she contributed significantly to commercial turbidity analysis and research on shelf life and stability. Gayatri's expertise also extended to the Research Institute for Spirits, Analytical Technology, and Sensory Analysis (FISAS), where she led innovative projects, including a rapid forced aging test for beer. Holding a Master's degree in Biological Sciences from the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai (2010-2013), she became a certified Brewmaster from VLB Berlin in 2015.

Ian Griffin is the publisher of Booch News and the editor of SYMBIOSIS Magazine. Over the past five years he has met with and interviewed dozens of kombucha producers in Europe and the States. Since buying his first SCOBY from Hannah Crum in 2010 he has been an avid home brewer. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Kendra Sepulveda is the Executive Director of Kombucha Brewers International (KBI). She came to the position with almost three decades of education and experience in nutrition, culinary arts, kombucha brewing, and entrepreneurship as well as a life-long passion for healthy living and culinary innovation. In her current position, she advances the mission and vision of KBI in fostering excellence and sustainability within the kombucha industry as it evolves to the needs of the market and its stewards.

Martin Turjak grew up around fermented food and beverages and started admiring traditional practices and processes early on in life. He started brewing kombucha over 30 years ago and developed a deep love for this culture and its diversity. After finishing his PhD in biology, he left academia and went to work in professional kitchens, to understand the food and beverage industry better. Since kombucha started becoming commercially interesting and entering breweries, Martin is spending most of his time in breweries, helping them to implement wild fermentation practices on a larger scale. His main interest is in developing kombucha flavors and other kombucha based products.

Thiago Cunha is a Chemical Engineer, master's in biotechnology, and PhD candidate in Sciences at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil. He works as a researcher and international consultant specializing in kombucha and fermented beverages, having advised more than 100 factories across Brazil, Europe, and Latin America. Thiago is the founder and technical coordinator of LABKOM Assessoria e Serviços, a leading consultancy firm dedicated to the kombucha sector. He actively participates in the working group responsible for updating IN41/2019, the pioneering legislation that regulates kombucha in Brazil. He is also the inventor of a groundbreaking patent focused on sensory standardization between batches, ensuring product quality control and consistency. Thiago has been a speaker, judge, and collaborator at major events such as CONAKOM, the Brazil Kombucha Cup, the Latin American Kombucha Cup, and the International Fermented Beverages Cup. Recognized for combining scientific rigor with practical innovation, his mission is to foster global growth, quality, and innovation in the kombucha industry.

Championing Health and Sustainability in Nigeria. Xenia Ejidike is the visionary Director of Ozora Foods, a pioneering health food company in Nigeria. Her journey began with homemade fruit drinks sold at local fairs, which evolved into Ozora Juice and later, the widely celebrated Ozora Kombucha. Driven by a deep passion for environmental sustainability, ethics, and wellness, Xenia has dedicated her career to creating clean, nutritious products that empower healthier lifestyles. Under her leadership, Ozora has become a trusted name in the health food space, known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and eco-conscious values.