Gustavo A Camelo-Méndez, PhD

Strategic Leadership in R&D and Program Execution: Led the planning and execution of R&D programs by aligning innovation initiatives with business strategy. Oversaw cross-functional collaboration across Marketing, Quality, Engineering, and Manufacturing to prioritize and deliver high-impact projects through robust operating models and effective go/no-go governance processes. Portfolio Management and Process Optimization: Drove portfolio governance for digital transformation, scientific rigor, and project pipeline performance. Designed and implemented frameworks for process mapping, intentional experimentation, and Stage-Gate prioritization, enhancing project throughput and decision-making consistency across R&D. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Strategy: Developed and executed stakeholder engagement plans, including senior leadership (RDLT, MLT, DTLT). Created decision-support materials (decks, flight paths, prewires) and communication cascades to enable strategic alignment, project approvals, and portfolio visibility. Performance & Change Management: Defined KPIs, monitored program delivery, managed R&D budget, and established mechanisms to track deviations through change management. Coordinated program-level updates (Steering Groups, LT sessions, KPIs reviews), aligning execution to Prime 5 strategic pillars. Leadership Development and Cross-Departmental Enablement: Spearheaded talent development initiatives through coaching, feedback loops, and structured growth plans. Built digital and statistical capabilities within the team by launching training programs, mentoring junior talent, and fostering a culture of data-driven experimentation.

•Strategic Leadership in Product Development & Product Management: Spearheaded global R&D initiatives aligning product innovation with business strategies to penetrate new markets in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Directed a multinational team of scientists and process developers, fostering a collaborative environment that increased project delivery by 30% and reduced development cycles by 20%. •Financial Acumen, Business Case Development and Technical Assessment: Assess profitability and build business cases for proposed innovations using pricing, P&L models and scenario analysis. •Performance Measurement and Management: Define and implement KPIs, creation of training plans, monitoring performance metrics in the R&D area and across the product, project execution and commercialization. Managed R&D budget to achieve a 10% cost savings while delivering 30% more innovative projects and increasing the win rate in 30% by project prioritization impacting positively to the business •Product Development, Market Analysis, Insight Generation & Portfolio Management: Identify growth opportunities through syndicated and primary market research, and competitive intelligence. Drive new product development from lab to industrialization using prototyping, formula development, and Stage-Gate strategy (Go, no-Go) to ensure successful scale-up and market launch. Achievements: • Led a cross-functional team that delivered 20% growth in the company’s portfolio, strengthening its competitive position in the market. • Drove cost savings of 30% by optimizing internal processes and technologies, resulting in more efficient innovation initiatives, resource allocation, and a 15% improvement in product quality as measured by reduced defect and customer complaints. • Reduce product development cycle time and commercialization process by 20%, resulting in a decrease in time-to-market and faster delivery of innovative solutions.

• Strategic Planning, Project Management, Product Development & Product Management: Plan, develop and strategize R&D Stage- Gate strategy and operations focused on new product development of Colors (Food, Industrial, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetics) from concept creation to product launches across LATAM (Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Costa Rica), leading a team of 6 direct reports. Led the development and launch of 3 new products within the past year, resulting in a 5% increase in company revenue • Technical Proficiency in Product Testing and Validation: Define the formula stability, establishing the criteria to assess the physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters including temperature, humidity, and light exposure. • Knowledge of Intellectual Property Law: Collaborate closely with the Legal department to protect intellectual property regarding research findings and product registration before the national authorities. • Risk Management and Compliance: Identify potential risks and challenges associated with project or product innovation and develop contingency plans to mitigate risks ensuring adherence to federal/local regulations. • Relationship Management and Collaboration: Establish and develop long-term relationships with tollers and scientific groups, to build a network of collaborative environment, provide input regarding innovation and enhance research practices. Achievements: • Increased NPD portfolio revenue by 83% with within one year through successful patent filings and intellectual property strategies, benchmarking, strategic pricing adjustments, and market expansion. • Improved product profitability with a 27% increase in gross margin by optimizing the cost structure and supplier negotiations, launching targeted marketing campaigns and capturing a larger audience. • Led and execute a global project valued in 6M USD though suppliers/third parties evaluation, project execution and partnership with other Business Units

• Innovative Product Formulation and Development: Development of gluten-free products like pastas, snacks, breads and bakery mixes using nutraceuticals, starch, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds enhancing nutritional value and health benefits. Committed to advancing industry knowledge through writing and reviewing scientific publications and presentations. • Leadership and Quality Assurance: Supervise technical and scientific personnel daily activities, including ingredient and formula review as well as food production ensuring quality and safety standards are met. • Sensory Evaluation and Consumer Insight: Coordinate and plan sensory evaluation and implement surveys on product attribute, taste, texture and aroma to obtain valuable insights on product improvement.

• Technological Proficiency and Innovation: Provide technical and scientific advisory on new technology implementation regarding food production practices, color analysis and waste reduction. • Predictive Analytics and Packing Innovation: Develop predictive models to extend shelf life of industrial ham slices under different storage and environmental conditions and propose ideas on packaging methods and guidelines to achieve optimal ranges.

• Advanced Analytical Chemistry: Conducted research on determination of antioxidant, pigments, and aromatic compounds, and implemented color- composition predictive models for liquid and powder samples

Led the development of beverages with high antioxidant properties, characterized cereals for protected designation of origin, and designed new non-destructive technologies for food analysis. Results contributed to the launch of new products and increased efficiency in production processes.

Developed beverages with tropical fruit, evaluated functional ingredients, and conducted physicochemical and microbiological analysis of food products. Results contributed to product development and improved quality control measures, leading to increased customer satisfaction and revenue growth.

Designed and developed nutraceutical food products, conducted sensory and color evaluation, and ensured quality and shelf life of food products. Results contributed to the successful launch of new products and increased customer satisfaction, while maintaining high standards for food safety and regulatory compliance.