Our advisory boards includes leading experts from across the semiconductor and MEMS sectors including 5G, IoT, Advanced Packaging, AI, Automotive Electronics, and Power Semiconductors.
Christine Dunbar
Head of Strategic Business Development
Christine Dunbar is the Head of Strategic Business Development at Natcast, the non-profit entity designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC). In this role, she leads strategic initiatives to advance the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem, fostering collaboration between industry, government, and academia.
Before joining Natcast in March 2025, Christine served as Senior Vice President of Global Sales at IQE, a leading provider of compound semiconductor wafer products and advanced materials solutions. Prior to joining IQE in 2022, she held key executive roles at GlobalFoundries and IBM’s Microelectronics Division.
A Cornell University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Christine has dedicated her entire career to advancing the global semiconductor industry. In recognition of her leadership, she was nominated for the Global Semiconductor Association’s inaugural “Rising Woman of Influence” award in 2018.
Beyond her executive roles, Christine is a recognized thought leader and sought-after speaker on the critical issues shaping the future of the semiconductor industry. She is frequently called upon to present at global industry forums, where she has provided insights on technology innovation, supply chain resilience, workforce development, and global policy. A longtime advocate for diversity in tech, she is also deeply committed to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of leaders, helping to shape a more inclusive and dynamic semiconductor ecosystem.
Company Profile
Natcast is a purpose-built, non-profit entity designated to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) by the Department of Commerce. Established by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of the U.S. government, the NSTC is a public-private consortium with a mission to advance U.S.-led semiconductor research and innovation, foster a skilled workforce, and strengthen America’s economic and national security.
Ariel Meyuhas
Founding Partner & COO
At the helm of The MAX Group, a global consulting firm serving the semiconductor industry, with over 25 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, Ariel possesses a proven track record of collaborating with leading Front-End and Back-End factories. His expertise encompasses operational turnarounds and business transformations of semiconductor companies such as Atmel, Plessey Semiconductor and more, resulting in substantial financial returns. Ariel excels at motivating teams with a positive attitude and a strong passion for semiconductor manufacturing. Ariel serves as a member of the Board of Directors at Lynceus.ai, SEMI Fab Owners Alliance, and GaAs Power Systems for many years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and a Master in Engineering Management from the Ohio State University. Outside of his professional career, he is an avid motorsport enthusiast, actively supporting his son’s racing career in pinnacle GT categories in Europe.
Company Profile
We are MAX, for over two decades we have been creating faster and smarter global operations!
Our business philosophy and our key to success are founded on never taking your business for granted and always following you every step of the journey where everything happens, sharing responsibility for any outcomes. Our expert teams will work in perfect synergy with you, zealously improving your bottom line. Clients credit us for accelerating their factories’ path for demonstrating world-class performance results – higher productivity and output, shortened Cycle Times, and reduced Operational Costs. As tough as the challenge may be, we will bring skills and cutting-edge tools to help you succeed.
The MAX Group is a leading global consulting firm with special expertise in Benchmarking and Operational Improvements in the Semiconductor industry. While primarily focusing on the Semiconductors and Electronics industries, we are proudly serving our Clients operating in wide variety of industrial spaces including Automotive, Aerospace, Bio-Medical and more.
We provide services ranging from Manufacturing Efficiency & Productivity Improvements to Management Consulting and Organizational Transformations, M&A, New Facility Design & Build and IT Consulting. The MAX Group has over two decades of experience as change agents improving manufacturing operations from startup phase to a mature factory. Exposure to world-wide organizations and our multi-national professional talent enabled us to develop a unique range of operational solutions that help your business MAXimize profit.
Habib Hichri, Ph.D.
EVP, Senior Fellow, Global Applications and Business Development
Education:
- PhD in Chemical Engineering
- MBA
Experience:
- Executive Vice President, Senior Fellow, Global Applications and Business Development at Ajinomoto Fine-Techno USA Corporation
- Vice President, Senior Fellow, Global Applications and Business Development at Ajinomoto Fine-Techno USA Corporation
- Senior Fellow, Global Applications and Business Development at Ajinomoto Fine-Techno USA Corporation.
Habib Hichri is an Executive Vice President, Senior Fellow Global Applications and Business Development at Ajinomoto Fine-Techno Corporation USA. Prior to joining AFT USA, Habib was Director of Applications Engineering at SUSS MicroTec Photonics Systems USA where he provided patterning solutions for advanced semiconductors packaging customers. Before joining SUSS MicroTec, Habib spent about 12 years with IBM Semiconductors Research and Development Center (IBM SRDC) in East Fishkill, NY where he worked as lead process integration engineer for microprocessor (IBM), games and communications chips. He later was promoted to management positions within IBM on process development in the front end of line area for microprocessor fabrication. Habib holds over 36 U.S. patents and authored over 75 publications and presentations and a book chapter in “Advances in Embedded and Fan-Out Wafer Level Packaging Technologies” (Wiley – IEEE) first Edition. Habib received Master and PhD degrees in Chemical Engineering from the Claude Bernard University at Lyon, France, and an MBA degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Habib is the chair of the Orange County California IEEE/Electronic Packaging Society (EPS) Chapter. He is also a member of the technical committees of Electronic Components and Technology Conference (ECTC), International Microelectronics Assembly and Packaging Society (IMAPS). He was the general chair of IMPAS 2020. Habib is a fellow of IMAPS Society. He is currently member of the IMAPS executive council. Habib is member of iNEMI board since April 2024.
Company Profile
Ajinomoto Fine-Techno Co., Inc. (AFT) is a subsidiary of the Ajinomoto Group responsible for the fine chemicals division. AFT (est. 1942) continues to deliver materials that can suit a wide range of customer needs in our four main strengths: molecular design, formulation, process development, and solutions. Our customers have commended us for our electronic materials. We have grown to play a major part in their value chains for electronics, automotive, and a variety of other products. We continue to refine our ability in materials science through research and development to continue creating value with our customers. We strive to provide the highest quality products, services, and information for our customers. Beyond our Ajinomoto Build-up film®, we’ve expanded our material portfolio to include molding, photo dielectric, magnetic, and optoelectronics. To maintain our leadership in our specified industry, we are devoted to providing state-of-the-art material, technology know-how, and customer service.
- Insulation film: Ajinomoto Build-up Film (ABF)
- Magnetic materials (Film and Liquid Format)
- Semiconductor encapsulants (AEF )
- Adhesives & Encapsulants (PLANSET)
- Functional adhesive / encapsulation film “AFTINNOVA EF series”
- Latent curing agent “AJICURE”
- Pigment dispersants, coupling agents
- Flame retardants, polymer co-stabilizer
- Activated carbon
Please visit the website: Product information – Ajinomoto Fine-Techno Co.,Inc. (aft-website.com)
Oreste Donzella
Strategic Advisor, Board Member, Former C-Suite Executive
A Semiconductor industry veteran with over three decades of experience in semiconductor manufacturing and capital equipment companies, holding various engineering and leadership positions at Texas Instruments, Micron Technology and KLA Corporation. Frequent keynote speaker at industry events and featured in several technical publications, awarded with VLSI Semiconductor All Star in 2020. Oreste is currently Senior Advisor at KLA, imec, KronosAI, AlixPartners, and ISIG and he serves the board of Aion Silicon and Synergie CAD group as independent director. Oreste earned his master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University La Sapienza in Rome, Italy
Company Profile
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