Manuel Maqueda

Recognized as an expert in plastic pollution, Manuel Maqueda is co-founder of the Plastic Pollution Coalition, a global alliance that brings together more than 1000 organizations, businesses and leaders in the mission to move towards a world free of plastic pollution in the environment, oceans, animals and humans.

Manuel is Professor of Circular Economy and Social and Environmental Entrepreneurship at the University of Berkeley, California. He also teaches at other business schools, with a focus on sustainable innovation and circular and regenerative economies.

As a speaker, he has participated in events for Google, Institute for the Future or the San Francisco Green Festival. In his talks, he delves into the problem of the negative impact of plastic on the planet, advocating for a cultural transformation in companies.

He is also co-founder and producer of the powerful documentary Albatross, which was screened at the United Nations in 2018 and has won multiple international awards. He co-founded and is the CEO of SUPER, the first certification that distinguishes businesses that reduce their plastic footprint, and is the founder of the non-profit innovation laboratory to support the cultural transformation KUMUlab, of El Plástico Mata, a leading Spanish-language initiative to stop plastic pollution, and of Le Plastique Tue, which serves French-speaking countries.

Manuel Maqueda has solid experience as an entrepreneur, innovator and founder of NGOs, and throughout his career he has helped numerous organizations and projects through innovation and sustainable culture, with a special focus on the use of plastic. Manuel is the author of the book The Meaning Economy.

Manuel Maqueda has a degree in Law and a Masters in Economics. He is a certified Executive Coach and a member of Social Venture Circle, a network of entrepreneurs, investors that drive the NEXT economy. He lives between California and Spain.

Conference topics:
-Circular economy
-Innovation "Meaning-Driven"
-Technologies for activism.