Engage with The COO Council

Chad Anderson is Chief Manufacturing and Technology Officer at Indovinya, part of Indorama Ventures, where he leads global operations and technology strategy across the company’s specialty chemical platforms.

With over 25 years of experience in manufacturing leadership, Chad has driven major restructuring efforts, operational turnarounds, and digital transformation initiatives at global chemical companies including Huntsman and Arkema.

Rahul Dharni is Global Chief Information Officer at Pratt & Whitney, where he leads enterprise-wide digital transformation to drive innovation, efficiency, and new business models.

With a strong track record across aerospace, defense, healthcare, and industrial sectors, Rahul’s leadership spans smart factory initiatives, digital thread, AI/ML integration, and cloud strategy, positioning digital as a core competitive asset.

Clay Ellis is CEO of Global Cellulose Fibers at International Paper, where he leads strategy and operations for one of the company’s core global businesses.

With over 25 years of experience in manufacturing and commercial leadership, Clay has held key roles across operations, excellence, and product segments, helping drive performance and innovation at scale.

Ellis Jones is an accomplished independent director and former Fortune 500 executive with over 25 years of experience leading operations, safety, finance, and sustainability initiatives. Known for turning around underperforming teams and organizations, he previously held senior leadership roles at Goodyear, including Chief Sustainability Officer and VP of Global EHS&S.

Ellis now serves on multiple corporate boards and applies his expertise in operational excellence and cultural transformation to drive performance and long-term value.

Peter Kraemer is the retired Chief Supply Officer of AB InBev, where he led global brewing operations, quality, raw materials, and product innovation across more than 150 facilities. A fifth-generation brewmaster and third-generation Anheuser-Busch employee, Peter spent nearly three decades advancing beer quality and operational excellence at scale.

Despite retiring from full-time leadership, he remains active in the industry and now serves as an advisor, drawing on his deep expertise and passion for the craft.

Veena Lakkundi is a global business executive and board director with a strong track record of leading enterprise transformation and building high-performing teams. As President of Large-Scale Optical at Apogee Enterprises, she brings deep experience from senior leadership roles at Rockwell Automation and 3M.

Veena also contributes her strategic expertise on the boards of Trinity Industries and Claroty, helping drive sustainable growth, innovation, and inclusive leadership across industrial sectors.

Thomas Roemer, PhD,  is a Senior Lecturer at MIT and Executive Director of the Leaders for Global Operations (LGO) Program. His research spans product development, manufacturing, and operations strategy, with publications in leading journals. He has held faculty roles at MIT Sloan and UC San Diego’s Rady School, earning multiple teaching awards. Roemer holds engineering and management degrees from Technische Universität Berlin and UCLA.

Julian Chase is a retired Corporate Senior Vice President of Business Operations and Supply Chain at Cargill, where he led global operations, transformation initiatives, and shared services as part of the executive team.

Over his 37-year career, he held multiple senior roles across business units and geographies. Julian brings deep expertise in operational leadership, change management, and building resilient supply networks.

Michael Carroll, Strategic Advisor and Fellow at LNS Research, works with The COO Council to advance leadership, innovation, and organizational transformation.

Mike previously served as VP of Innovation at Georgia-Pacific, where he led major initiatives that reshaped operations and culture. Recognized as Innovator of the Year by ASPI and Visionary of the Year by Smart Industry Magazine, Mike is known for driving customer-centric change across global manufacturing.

Ryan Cahalane, Managing Director at LNS Research, plays a key role in guiding our work with The COO Council and advancing our mission to help industrial leaders drive new levels of productivity and performance. 

Ryan brings more than 25 years of experience across manufacturing, industrial technology, consulting, and systems integration. He's been a top leader at companies, including Axiom Manufacturing Systems, Feyen Zylstra, Colfax Fluid Handling, OSIsoft, Rockwell Automation, and GE.