Karolyn Helda is the managing director of QIMA’s Laboratory in Buffalo, New York. She has  worked in the consumer products safety, compliance and quality assurance industry for over 30 years. Her knowledge and direct experience span the categories of promotional products, toys and children’s products, softlines, general merchandise as well as consumable consumer goods such as food, over‐the‐counter drugs, health and beauty care items. Prior to assuming responsibility for the QIMA Buffalo lab operations, Karolyn held various roles at independent consumer products testing laboratories including laboratory and client services management, business development, global compliance program development and management, as well as technical consulting, training and protocol development.                       

Tom Lewandowski is a principal scientist at Gradient in Seattle, Washington. Tom has over 20 years of experience in the areas of product safety evaluation, pharmacokinetics, metals toxicology, and developmental toxicology. He is currently involved in leading Gradient's efforts in the emerging area of green chemistry. Tom is also an affiliate faculty member at the University of Washington School of Public Health where he lectures on toxicology and risk assessment. In 2012-2013, he served as chair of the Society of Toxicology’s Education Committee, which works to increase science literacy and public knowledge of toxicology. He is board certified in toxicology in the U.S. and in Europe.                                  

Chelsea Murtha serves as the advocate and spokesperson on matters of sustainability and product safety for the American Apparel and Footwear Association. She engages with Congress, the Executive Branch, independent agencies, as well as state and local legislatures and agencies and foreign governments on sustainability, product safety, and chemical management issues important to the industry. Chelsea is also the staff liaison to AAFA’s Environmental Committee and Product Safety Council.    Chelsea joined AAFA from a Washington, D.C. government affairs firm where she lead advocacy efforts for clients, including several trade associations and apparel and footwear importers, on policy developments related to environmental, social, and governance issues in global supply chains. She has also worked for the U.S. Fashion Industry Association, and a Washington, D.C. international trade policy consultancy firm. Chelsea earned a Master of Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts from the George Washington University.