Dr Stefano Santarelli, a seasoned CEO with a Ph.D. in Plant Production Sciences and a summa cum laude degree in Forestry Sciences, leads RE-CORD (Research on Renewable Energies, Conversion of Resources, and Development), a public-private consortium founded by the University of Florence and the Polytechnic University of Turin, with key private sector partners in waste treatment, engineering, and renewable energy. RE-CORD is internationally recognised for its expertise in converting biomass, waste, and residuals into valuable materials and energy, specialising in thermochemical processes such as pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction, as well as anaerobic digestion and critical raw material recovery.

Beyond RE-CORD, Dr Santarelli serves as Director General of GAL Start Srl, overseeing EU-funded rural development projects. His prior roles include membership on the Technical-Scientific Committee for the Chianti Classico Territory Foundation, Secretary-General of the Chianti Forestry Consortium, Managing Director and Board Member at Weal International Srl, and CEO of OSP Science & Technology Srl. Additionally, he led Studio Tecnico Santarelli, his own consulting firm, from 2001 to 2022.

An EU-registered lobbyist, Dr Santarelli actively collaborates with policymakers to advance sustainable frameworks and is currently founding venture capital initiatives within the circular economy and launching innovative new enterprises.