Matt Furman is the Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Mars Chocolate. As a member of the Global Chocolate Management Team, Sustainability Leadership Team and Cocoa Strategic Steering Group, Furman works across functions to develop and implement strategy and public policy for Mars' sustainability programs throughout the global chocolate manufacturing and business segment. He is the former Head of Corporate Communications for Google and, previously, held positions in the administrations of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and President Bill Clinton.

“At Mars, we believe that addressing these issues together as a sector is essential, and we've committed to working with partners across industry, government and civil society to test and strengthen certification standards to ensure that farmers benefit,” said Furman. “We look forward to sharing our experiences, hearing our peers’ perspectives and working together to move forward."

For decades, Mars has helped bring together the cocoa industry with leaders in related fields to create and fund beneficial research programs. These programs include education and training for farmers, development of high yielding and pest/disease resistant cocoa plants, and other pioneer avenues for cocoa research. Mars is the first and only confectionery company to commit to certify 100% of its cocoa supply. Today, Mars is committed to putting farmers first in all of its sustainability activities, including certification programs that deliver direct and mutual benefits to associates, consumers, trade partners, farmers, communities and the planet.

Attendees of the Certification Consumption and Change Conference will hear Mr. Furman moderate a conversation between Dan Vogel, CEO and Co-Founder of Enablon, Al Iannuzzi, Senior Director, Worldwide Environmental Health and Safety for Johnson & Johnson, and Kerry Cesareo, Managing Director, Forests, for the WWF. The format of the conference allows attendees an extended period to question the panelists following the moderated discussion.

The Certification Consumption and Change Conference will take place May 24th at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The conference will bring together 150 representatives from top brands that source certified ingredients and eco-label their products, leading ethical certifiers, government agencies and NGOs, and the service providers that make reporting and compliance possible. Conference attendees will enjoy a full day of panel discussions that will shape the future of ethical certifications.

To find out more or register to attend this conference, go to: http://bit.ly/i0RJ6W

About Mars, Incorporated

In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars’ first roots as a confectionery company. In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY® bar. In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of building a business based on the philosophy of a “mutuality of benefits” for all stakeholders – this vision serves as the foundation of the Mars, Incorporated we are today. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $30 billion and six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks and Symbioscience. More than 65,000 Associates worldwide are putting our Mars Principles in action every day to make a difference for people and the planet through our performance.
Mars brands include: Chocolate – M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Petcare – PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA®, CESAR® and ROYAL CANIN®; Wrigley – ORBIT®, EXTRA®, STARBURST®, DOUBLEMINT® and SKITTLES®; Food – UNCLE BEN’S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS® and SEEDS OF CHANGE®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA CO.™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience –SERAMIS®, CIRKU™ and COCOAVIA™. For more information, please visit www.mars.com.

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