Public-Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade

Guillaume de Brier joined the International Peace Information Service (IPIS) in 2015. IPIS is an independent research institute providing tailored information, analysis and capacity enhancement to support those actors who want to realize a vision of durable peace, sustainable development and the fulfillment of human rights.

At IPIS, Guillaume’s research mainly focuses on artisanal 3T and gold mines in Eastern Congo (DRC) and Central African Republic. In DRC, Guillaume has led multiple projects that aimed at strengthening responsible sourcing through mining sites mapping, risk assessment & conflict analysis. In Central African Republic, Guillaume has focused on conflict mapping and drivers of the conflict, which includes minerals extraction, trade and cattle transhumance. Prior joining IPIS, Guillaume has worked for 5 years in the Great Lakes Regions, firstly in Burundi (2.5 years), with the Belgian cooperation (Enabel) and then as a researcher on access to justice. Afterwards, he worked as a Human Rights programme officer at UNAIDS, in Kigali, Rwanda, in charge of HIV prevention amongst prisoners, youth and LGBT community. Guillaume holds a Master in International Relations (Conflict & Development Master, cum laude) from the Gent University and a bachelor in Contemporary History (magna cum laude) from the Free University of Brussels (ULB).

Jean-Paul Meutcheho, Ph. D. is Global Advanced Metals (GAM) Director of Sourcing and Corporate Sustainability. He develops and coordinates implementation of GAM’s responsible minerals sourcing objectives. His focus includes managing the associated procurement and audit requirements as well as establishing policies and procedures related to conflict-free tantalum raw material sourcing. He leads corporate outreach efforts with industries, NGOs, and governmental organizations to support the adoption and propagation responsible minerals sourcing practice.

Jean-Paul has more than twenty years of experience in purchasing and commodity management in many organizations including  Ford Motor Company. During his 15 years tenure at Ford Motor Company, Jean-Paul held multiple Purchasing/procurement roles, including ISE, and led corporate initiatives to develop a sustainable supply chain for conflict minerals and to comply with related U.S. legislation, and was the company executive loan to the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and chairperson of the conflict minerals workgroup at AIAG.

Jean-Paul has an extensive background in supply chain management, he holds a doctorate in management with research interest in sustainable supply chain management contribution to corporate profitability. Jean-Paul sits (or sat) on the Steering/governance committees of many organizations and workgroups including: the Responsible Minerals Initiative (formerly CFSI), the Auto Industry Action group (AIAG) corporate social responsibility, Public Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade (PPA), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) multi-stakeholders minerals workgroup.

Jean-Paul is fluent (and does work) in Spanish, French and English.

Alyssa works as a responsible supply chain program manager for Google. Alyssa has over 20 years of experience in the energy and environmental sector. She worked in broad range of Corporate Social Responsibility functions (private sector, government, and global nonprofits). She launched SunPower’s sustainability efforts in 2008, including the SunPower Foundation, where she managed more than $5 million in global energy programs and over 1MW of donated solar power technology, including to Virunga National Park and the City of Joy in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She's an advisor and board member to several nonprofits working at the intersection of conflict-climate change-conservation. When she's not working on humanitarian causes, she's running-biking-swimming-adventuring, producing stories, or working in her garden.

Annie Signorelli is a responsible sourcing expert with Apple’s Environment and Supply Chain Innovation team. In this role, she supports the advancement of industry-wide standards for the responsible sourcing of minerals. Prior to joining Apple, Annie led responsible sourcing policy programs at both the Sentry (formerly the Enough Project) and the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, focusing on conflict, human rights, and supply chain due diligence. Annie holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Peace & Justice Studies from Tufts University. 

Patricia Syvrud is the Program Manager for the Minerals, Materials and Society program, an education, research and training initiative at the University of Delaware (UD). She is the immediate past Executive Director of the World Diamond Council, an international organization charged with representing the diamond pipeline at the UN-mandated Kimberley Process forum, (the organization charged with global tracking of rough diamonds from mine to manufacture), and a current member of the Board of Directors of the United States Kimberley Process Authority.  Patricia holds an MBA from the University of Southern California and is a Graduate Gemologist (Gemological Institute of America). She is passionate about responsible sourcing and supply chain transparency and is currently overseeing the creation of the Jewelry Development Impact index (JDI), which is now a technical evaluative research project of the Minerals, Materials and Society program at UD.

Patricia’s career highlights include cataloging the entire National Gem Collection at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, developing a world-class museum collection for the Gemological Institute of America, and working as a pro bono consultant to former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright for assistance with Albright's pin exhibition and book, “Read My Pins, Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box”.

A frequent public and industry speaker, Patricia has been featured at the following events: OECD 2019 Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains, Paris, France; Metropolitan Museum of Art MetFridays, New York; World Bank Global Conference on Oil, Gas and Mining; AGTA GemFair; American Gem Society Guild Meetings; Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference; GIA Alumni Association; Inhorgenta Show, Munich; International Diamond Week, Israel; JA NY Show; Jewelry Industry Summit; MJSA Expo, among others.  

 

Rachel Wanyoike, Managing Director of Solidaridad Eastern and Central Africa, is a development professional with a strong background in designing and implementing impact-driven development projects across sub-Saharan Africa. Her wealth of experience and skills are in the areas of management, policy planning and strategy development in climate resilience, mitigation/adaptation innovations, renewable energy and natural resource management.  

She has held key roles in developing practical and sustainable solutions for government, private sector, UN organizations and other development partners both in East Africa and the United Kingdom. Previously, she worked with EcoSecurities Limited (UK), Camco Advisory Services (K) Limited (Kenya), and KPMG (Kenya and UK). Rachel holds both a LLB Law with Honours and a MSc in Public Policy and Human Development. She has the full range of competencies in organisational and administrative development, project and financial management, stakeholder engagement and relationship building. She also has a long standing interest in encouraging positive change for local communities, promoting sustainable livelihoods and advocating for multi-stakeholder engagements.  

Rachel is committed to developing strong national and regional programmes that will foster systemic change and grow Solidaridad Eastern and Central Africa as a thought leader in sub-Saharan Africa.