ICBA Team
Kate Loatman
Kate Loatman is the executive director of the International Council of Beverages Associations (ICBA), the global trade association representing the interests of the worldwide non-alcoholic beverage industry. ICBA members include U.S.-based multinational beverage companies as well as national and regional beverage associations that operate in more than 200 countries and territories. In addition, ICBA holds special consultative status with the UN’s Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC).
With nearly twenty years’ experience representing the beverage industry, Ms. Loatman represents the industry before global organizations including the United Nations and its agencies, including the World Health Organization, World Trade Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and the UN Environment Programme. She coordinates efforts with member companies to build and implement constructive positions and commitments on critical issues in coordination with beverage associations around the world.
Ms. Loatman holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in English from The College of William and Mary, and a juris doctorate with high honors from The University of Texas School of Law. Prior to joining ICBA, she practiced food and drug law with King & Spalding LLP. She lives outside of New York City with her husband and two sons.
Contact Ms. Loatman at kate@icba-net.org.
Elizabeth Yepes
Elizabeth Yepes is the Senior Director of Global Regulatory Affairs for the International Council of Beverages Associations (ICBA). In this role, Ms. Yepes promotes evidence-based positions before governments and regulatory agencies to ensure a fair playing field for beverages around the globe. Ms. Yepes also develops positions on key regulatory issues of priority interest to the global beverage industry and works with ICBA regional and national beverage associations to facilitate harmonization and message alignment. Prior to ICBA, Ms. Yepes worked in the U.S. Department of Agriculture addressing trade barriers on U.S. exports of processed products, including non-alcoholic beverages, as well as providing technical assistance to the 50 U.S. States and territories on integrity issues with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Elizabeth received both her Bachelor and Master’s degrees in International Affairs from the George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs.
Contact Ms. Yepes at elizabeth@icba-net.org.
Simone Soo Hoo
Simone Soo Hoo is the Director of Global Affairs for the International Council of Beverages Associations (ICBA). Ms. Soo Hoo serves as the first point of contact for beverage association members and is responsible for maintaining the operations of the organization; providing support to regional group directors; representing ICBA before allied trade associations; managing member recruitment, retention and resources; and leading the coordination and content development of member meetings and calls.
Ms. Soo Hoo was previously Director of Research for the American Beverage Association (ABA). She holds a master’s degree in International Relations from the United Kingdom’s University of Sussex as well as a bachelor’s degree in Diplomacy and World Affairs from Occidental College in Los Angeles, California.
Contact Ms. Soo Hoo at simone@icba-net.org
Geoff Parker
Geoff Parker is the Asia Pacific Regional Executive Director of the International Council of Beverages Associations (ICBA).
Mr. Parker’s first senior management role was at the age of 24, managing a budget of $5 million and a team of 50 staff. Over the last 20 years, Mr. Parker has held a diverse range of executive management positions in private companies, government departments and industry associations.
In addition to his management experience, Mr. Parker has over 20 years of involvement in boardrooms including global training companies, national not-for-profits, arts organizations, public companies, statutory authorities and international associations in both director and chair roles.
In 2009, Mr. Parker took over as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Beverages Council–the non-alcoholic beverage industry’s peak body. Since that time, he has successfully managed two mergers, strengthened the organization’s equity reserves and firmly positioned the Australian Beverages Council as the respected voice of authority for the industry in Australia with a broad range of stakeholders. In 2010, Mr. Parker was elected as President of the International Council of Beverages Associations (ICBA) and in 2012 was elected for a consecutive two-year term. He continues on the Executive Committee of the ICBA and is also a board member of the International Council of Bottled Water Associations.
Mr. Parker is a Fellow of both the Australian Institute of Management and the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds qualifications from the University of Queensland and the University of Cambridge. He is a terrible golfer, a much better runner and enjoys cooking and wine matching (hence the running).
Contact Mr. Parker at geoff@icba-net.org
Santiago Lopez Jaramillo
Santiago Lopez is the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Executive Director of the International Council of Beverages Associations (ICBA), the trade association that represents the collective interests of the non-alcoholic beverage industry worldwide.
Mr. Lopez is an experienced industry advocate representing the views of the beverage industry below key global, regional and national forums including the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the Organization of American States and integration systems such as the CARICOM, MERCOSUR, Pacific Alliance, the Central American Integration System among others.
As a representative of the non-alcoholic beverage industry, Mr. Lopez work along representatives of governments, civil society and the private sector to find productive pathways for the non-alcoholic beverage industry to contribute to the positive impact and transformation of food systems and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Previously, Mr. Lopez served as the President and Vice President of ICBA, Director of the Beverage Chamber of the National Business Association of Colombia, Director of Legal Affairs of the Colombian Association of International Trade and Advisor at the Colombian Senate (UTL).
Mr. Lopez served for five years as adjunct professor of Lobby and Public Policies, and Private Diplomacy at Universidad Sergio Arboleda. Mr. Lopez was invited to speak as a keynote speaker in multiple media outlets and as a speaker at parliaments and at regional and national conferences.
In addition to his trade association leadership role, Mr. Lopez is a national government delegate on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Board of the Museum of Art of Tolima and the Founders Committee of the University of Ibaque and San Bonifacio de las Lanzas School.
Mr. Lopez is passionate about social transformation and the role of the private sector as a driving force towards change but mainly he is the father of an amazing daughter.
Contact Mr. Lopez at santiago@icba-net.org.