Our Staff

Our staff includes veteran industry experts who offer personalized, concierge-level support to our members for support when needed. IBA goes the extra mile to help its members succeed. Please contact us with questions about IBA membership benefits, programming, or to get more involved in IBA.

 Learn about our commitment to our members

Meet the Team

	Dr. Akemi Ooka CEO Dr. Akemi Ooka has a Ph.D. in Chemistry and over 20 years in the CPG industry, from Fortune 500 companies to small startups. Akemi’s experience ranges from product development to sourcing and supply chain transformation at companies including J.R. Watkins, method, and The Clorox Company. Akemi previously served as IBA’s VP of Global Supply Chain and Sustainability Resources.
	Meredith Petillo Vice President of Technical-Regulatory Affairs Meredith Petillo brings over 15 years of experience in cosmetic regulatory affairs, legal advertising claims, product testing and product development to support IBA member companies with regulatory and technical solutions to grow and thrive. She holds a BS in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and an MS in Regulatory Affairs for Drugs, Biologics & Medical Devices. Meredith leads IBA’s Technical and Regulatory programming, education, and advocacy.
	Reema Patel Director, Export Program Reema Patel’s regulatory affairs experience ranges from the global cosmetics-drug industry, human subjects research, and clinical investigation. Reema holds a Master’s in Public Health. She is now IBA’s Export Certificate Director, overseeing the Certificate Program and supporting members with smooth international expansion.
	Ryan Nelson Director of Communications Ryan joined IBA from the trade press space where he covered policy, regulatory and commercial developments in the cosmetics and personal care industries, among other life sciences sectors, for 20 years As Editor-in-Chief of HBW Insight, he collaborated frequently with IBA and its members on projects to highlight independent beauty business interests and experiences amid growing regulatory, sustainability and operational pressures
	Neva Lindell Associate Program Coordinator Neva holds an MBA and a BS in Journalism. Her experience has focused on smaller organizations, including entrepreneurial for-profits and a variety of nonprofits, including serving as a nonprofit board member. Neva supports the Export Program and communications.
	Malia Hernandez Document Specialist Malia Hernandez is a seasoned professional in business administration and management, with a background in compliance, marketing, and sports entertainment. Malia handles the end-to-end processing of export documentation to the Export Certificate Program.
	Geetha Solheim Special Projects Lead Geetha Solheim is a product developer with 20 years of experience creating innovative formulations across personal care, home cleaning, and disinfection categories. Over her career, she has contributed to iconic product portfolios such as method and Clorox, blending technical expertise with a consumer-focused approach. Geetha serves as Special Projects Lead for IBA, where she builds new resources and benefits for members.
	Shannon Hess Strategic Initiatives Lead Shannon Hess brings over 25 years of global leadership spanning beauty brands and suppliers, sustainable product design, responsible sourcing, and supply chain strategy. With degrees in biology and chemistry, her experience includes Aveda, Burt’s Bees, The Estée Lauder Companies, The Clorox Company, and co-creating Areej Aromatherapy in Egypt. She leads committee governance, industry initiatives, and SME resources for IBA. Shannon serves as IBA’s ICCR representative and is a U.S. delegate and ISO 16128 TR 23750 Project Leader within ISO TC 217 Cosmetics.