Founder of MELICHAR Bros. and Vice President of the European Brand & Packaging Design Association, Uwe Melichar is a leading authority on circular packaging. Previously managing partner at Factor, he worked with global brands like adidas, Bosch, and Nestlé. He is a Red Dot juror, Pentawards judge, and keynote speaker worldwide. His motto “Increase value, decrease waste” reflects his dedication to reducing environmental impact while elevating brand design.

Industrial designer and professor at the Academy of Fine Arts Warsaw, Robert Pludra focuses on social design and sustainability. With over 15 years of experience, he has created award-winning projects such as nomadic furniture and the upcycled Barrel Armchair. Exhibited internationally in Milan, London, Berlin, and Tokyo, his minimalist yet socially useful work connects academic research with practical design. His expertise brings a strong human-centered perspective to the jury.

Editorial director of green Lifestyle, Petra Schmatz writes about eco-fair fashion, organic food, and sustainable living. She studied political science, economics, and law, and has worked at AVR Verlag since 2004. Personally committed to sustainable living, she views her editorial role as a chance to share green trends and inspire positive change. Her reporting connects consumer interests with innovative, eco-friendly solutions, making her a strong jury voice on sustainability communication.

Interior designer and trend expert, Katrin de Louw founded TRENDFILTER® in 1997. She advises the furniture industry on materials, colors, and trends, with a focus on ecology and sustainability. She also founded FURNITURE FUTURE FORUM and COLORNETWORK®, initiatives that promote sustainable design and circular color concepts. Recognized as a leading trendscout, she shapes the future of interiors.

Editor and author, Julius Wiedemann has published more than 40 design and visual culture books with TASCHEN, including Product Design in the Sustainable Era. His works have sold over 1.5 million copies. Born in Brazil, he studied design and marketing and is recognized internationally as an authority on sustainable design communication and publishing.

Assistant Professor at Parsons School of Design in New York, Raz Godelnik researches sustainable business models and corporate responses to the climate crisis. He co-founded green start-ups Eco-Libris and Hemper Jeans and authored Rethinking Corporate Sustainability in the Era of Climate Crisis. His work connects entrepreneurship, education, and sustainability, making him an expert in strategic approaches to green business.

Managing Director of LUWE GmbH, Sven Fischer has worked for more than 20 years as a consultant, designer, and lecturer for sustainable transformation. He guides companies and institutions in developing strategies that integrate sustainability into products, processes, and culture. Known for bridging science, business, and society, he emphasizes courage and innovation as key drivers of change. Fischer’s expertise makes him an important voice in evaluating sustainability across industries.

Associate Professor at the University of Oregon, Kiersten Muenchinger teaches product design with a focus on materials, manufacturing, and sustainability metrics. Her research measures how consumers perceive sustainability in materials, applying Kansei engineering methods. Formerly a designer with IDEO and Walt Disney Imagineering, she combines academic rigor with real-world design experience. She has been honored for her impact as an educator in sustainable design.

 

Dutch designer and graduate of Eindhoven Design Academy, Leonne Cuppen co-founded Yksi Design and curated numerous exhibitions worldwide. As co-initiator of Dutch Design Week, she is a well-known advocate for sustainable and circular design. Through her company Yksi Connect, she links young design talent with businesses and public organizations.

Vice Director of the Institute of Sustainable Design at Tsinghua University, Xin Liu specializes in sustainable design, user research, and product-service systems. He leads LeNS-China, a network of China’s top universities, and co-founded DESIS-China for social innovation. He also chairs the DESIS International Alliance Academy. With awards and leadership roles in education, he is a key academic authority in sustainable product-service innovation in Asia and beyond.

Professor of Lund University’s School of Industrial Design since 2001, Claus-Christian Eckhardt studied design in Braunschweig before working for Bosch, Blaupunkt, and Tenovis, where he became head of design. He also runs a freelance design practice. With a strong mix of academic leadership and corporate experience, he brings deep expertise in industrial design and innovation to the jury.

Journalist and editor-in-chief of Luxiders Magazine, Belvis Soler has written about fashion and design for over 20 years. She also directs the creative agency 001 Agency. Through Luxiders, she elevates sustainable brands with strong visuals and curated storytelling, positioning sustainability as aspirational and innovative within the fashion and lifestyle sectors.

Since 2020, Katja Keienburg has led the international trade magazine baby&junior, covering the children’s industry in over 30 countries. A mother of two, she combines professional knowledge with personal insights, reporting on retail, e-commerce, and manufacturers. Her focus includes sustainability in baby and children’s products, highlighting environmentally friendly solutions and climate-neutral business practices. She offers a consumer-oriented yet professional view of sustainable family products.

Fashion and textile designer, Rosan van Boven co-founded Fabriek Fris to produce fair, local textiles that create social impact and better working conditions. With the project MAEAN (waste to workwear), she won the Food Valley Innovation Award. She also co-founded Anderlus, which transforms textile waste into new materials and connects waste producers with designers. Her entrepreneurial work demonstrates how creativity and science can close resource loops.

Founder of The Circular Materials GmbH, Karsten Bleymehl specializes in innovative materials for the circular economy. Formerly Director of Research at Material ConneXion in New York, he has advised global companies on sustainable product development. He teaches “Materials & Design” and “Sustainability & Circular Design” at universities in Europe. His work connects material science, design, and sustainable innovation, making him a strong asset in assessing material-focused projects.

Communications expert in construction and architecture, Katja Reich joined the City of Munich’s Department of Public Construction in 2024. Previously, she led the editorial team at DBZ Deutsche Bauzeitschrift. With more than 20 years in publishing, she specializes in bridging architectural design standards with practical construction needs, offering valuable perspectives for sustainable building communication.

Founder and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Design at the University for the Creative Arts, UK, Martin Charter has over 25 years of expertise in sustainable innovation, product design, and new business models. He has advised organizations like Procter & Gamble and Interface, and organizes the long-running Sustainable Innovation conference series. A leading researcher and author, he contributes deep knowledge on sustainable business and product development.

Co-founder of Haus von Eden, Melodie Abdollahi previously worked in management consulting and industry in China, where she observed the effects of rapid consumption. She now focuses on corporate social responsibility and co-developed Haus von Eden’s sustainability criteria. The platform highlights responsible companies while maintaining strong aesthetics. As the first German-language sustainable design platform, it offers reliable information to conscious consumers.

Sustainability Manager at IKEA Germany since 2020, Katarzyna Dulko-Gaszyna leads the implementation of the company’s global strategy. She previously managed sustainability at IKEA Poland for nine years. With academic training in political and environmental sciences, she works to make sustainable solutions affordable and accessible for millions of customers. Her priorities include circular economy transition and carbon reduction.

Editor-in-chief of dds – Magazin für Möbel und Ausbau since 2024, Katharina Feuer is a trained interior designer. She previously worked at md INTERIOR DESIGN ARCHITECTURE and now leads coverage on carpentry, interior design, and sustainable building. Her dual background in design and journalism allows her to highlight innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainability in the furniture and interior industry, providing balanced insights that connect practice with forward-looking trends.

Architect, professor, and co-founder of InteriorPark., Tina Kammer has been active in sustainability since the 1980s. With a background in carpentry and brand architecture for companies like BMW and Hugo Boss, she later specialized in sustainable architecture and design. Today, she advises businesses, speaks at conferences, and teaches sustainable building. She is known for her holistic view and practical expertise.

Managing Director of Igedo Exhibitions, Ulrike Kähler has decades of experience in the trade fair industry. She launched Gallery SHOES in 2017 and since 2023 oversees Neonyt Düsseldorf, a leading sustainable fashion platform. Known for her creativity and organizational skill, she has positioned Düsseldorf as a hub for sustainable fashion and continues to support innovation in international fashion trade shows.

Co-founder of InteriorPark., Andrea Herold advises companies on developing sustainability strategies and reports aligned with GRI standards. She conducts workshops on market trends and helps businesses transparently communicate their progress. Her expertise bridges corporate strategy, sustainability communication, and design

Architect and cultural manager, Meike Weber worked for 15 years at DETAIL magazine, developing content and research on architecture, megatrends, and the future of building. She now teaches at HAWK Hildesheim and advises NGOs, academia, and politics on architecture and sustainability. Her work emphasizes foresight and the role of research in shaping urban futures.

Sustainability Manager at Avocadostore.de, Johannes Hilla evaluates products and brands, develops sustainability criteria, and manages reporting. Previously, he worked with VEJA, focusing on brand positioning and sales in Germany. With degrees in economics and governance, he combines academic knowledge with practical experience in fair fashion and sustainable goods.

Sixth-generation shoemaker and founder of nat-2™, Sebastian Thies leads thies 1856®, a sustainable footwear and lifestyle brand. His designs, using innovative materials, are exhibited in international museums and have won awards including Red Dot and the German Brand Award. Recognized as a pioneer, he continues a family tradition of over 160 years in sustainable footwear.

Co-founder of Studio Für Morgen and previously of Startnext, Anna Theil has supported countless entrepreneurs in social business, culture, and sustainability. With a degree in communication, she now focuses on societal change and the future of work. Her expertise lies in fostering creative and sustainable initiatives through crowdfunding, collaboration, and education.