Instructor: Jim Robinson, Principal, Absorbent Hygiene Insights, LLC

About Jim Robinson

With a wealth of expertise in absorbent hygiene, Jim Robinson has more than 40 years’ experience in the chemical industry. For the first 10 years of his career, Jim focused on pulp and paper chemistry, while the subsequent 30+ years were dedicated to working with BASF superabsorbent polymers (SAP) and evaluating and understanding absorbent hygiene products.” In recognition of Jim’s tireless advocacy for the holistic system approach of leveraging nonwovens, fluff pulp, and super absorbents to provide superior absorbent hygiene product performance and his long contribution to industry education in this area, in 2023 Jim was presented with the INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement award.

Mr. Robinson has been a contributor on several patents on superabsorbent polymers with hygiene and industrial applications. Currently, he consults in the absorbent hygiene market and is a key presenter in several training courses and conferences.

Jim earned a BS in Chemistry (ACS) from Hampden-Sydney College, and an MS in Inorganic Chemistry and Spectroscopy from Duke University.

Instructor: Heidi Beatty, Chief Executive Officer, Crown Abbey, LLC

About Heidi Beatty

Heidi Beatty has a successful track record as an Innovator and project manager. Over her 20+ year career, Heidi has launched products for some of the world’s leading brands as well as for some of the most entrepreneurial start-ups. As CEO of Crown Abbey, Heidi and her team helps a global client base across consumer, health care and nutritional categories to identify and commercialize new technologies.

After gaining a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of York, UK, Heidi worked with Johnson & Johnson for over 10 years. From there, she worked at NicePak-PDI, launching many different wet wipes, into the USA market.

Heidi has worked in the USA, Germany and currently lives in the UK. She has a deep commitment to the Environment and to supporting the voice of Women, both in the work place, as well as well the products she helps develop for them.

Instructor: Natalia Richer, Director of Business Development, Diaper Testing International

About Natalia Richer

As a Global AHP Consultant and the Director of Business Development of Diaper Testing International, Natalia provides technical and consulting support to converters and private label owners across the world. DTI receives requests for disposable baby diaper, adult incontinence, and period product benchmark testing and design assistance from more than 30 countries across 5 continents. Additionally, to leading the laboratory services and market research, Natalia manages the monthly consulting retainers with various clients in the United States focusing on new product opportunities, market trends, competitor assessments and brand strategy. She holds a BA in Business Management from Corvinus University of Budapest.

Instructor: Irene Richer, Director of Laboratory Operations, Diaper Testing International

About Irene Richer

Irene is the Director of Operations and Partner at Diaper Testing International, a consulting firm for the absorbent hygiene industry with clients from all across the world. 

Holding a BA degree from The San Francisco Art Institute, Irene merges her knowledge in marketing, design, and social media analysis with that of the absorbent hygiene industry. Helping her team and clients by incorporating her background to better understand marketing trends and consumer habits.

Instructor: Jacobo Levin, R&D and Quality Control Manager, Diaper Testing International

About Jacobo Levin

Jacobo Levin is an experienced engineering and product development leader with nearly two decades of expertise in quality assurance, process optimization, and R&D across the hygiene, consumer goods, and aerospace industries.

He currently serves as R&D and Quality Control Manager at Diaper Testing International, where he leads research, product validation, and quality systems to support innovation and performance in absorbent hygiene products. Prior to this role, Jacobo worked as a Laboratory Engineer at Diaper Testing International, providing technical leadership in lab operations, customer advisory services, project management, and product evaluation.

Before joining Diaper Testing International, Jacobo built a diverse career in engineering and operations management. At Safran, he served as Senior Engineering Project Manager, overseeing ISO 21500 compliance, process documentation, and the launch and startup of new manufacturing lines in landing gear production. Earlier, at Ontex, he held multiple leadership positions, including Sr. Product Design Engineer and Lead Process Engineer, managing product development, process design, R&D, and quality assurance over nearly a decade.

Jacobo began his career at PepsiCo México, advancing through roles in quality assurance and process engineering. During his six years there, he gained deep expertise in laboratory management, production line optimization, and statistical process control.

He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla.

With a strong foundation in both technical and managerial disciplines, Jacobo brings a proven track record of driving product innovation, operational efficiency, and quality excellence across global industries.