Based in New Windsor, New York, Mario Maffei is the president and CEO of Verla International Ltd., a premier private label manufacturer of more than 50 production lines across a variety of product types including skincare, cosmetics, fragrances, nail polishes and other health and beauty care items. Mario Maffei has overseen all executive decisions for the company since 1980. Before leading Verla International, Mr. Maffei worked with the City of Philadelphia as the vice-consul of Panama. In recognition of his work in this role and his international business leadership, he was selected for the Advisory Board of the Panama Canal in 1999. The board comprises distinguished advisors in diverse business sectors and academia. In addition to his business success, he has been a committed activist and philanthropist for much of his career. In 2009, Mario served as Vice Chair of the gala leadership committee for the Avon Foundation for Women, where Verla was inducted into the Avon Foundation Hall of Fame. He is a former advisory board member of the Global Cancer Institute, and previously served as the finance committee chair for the George Jackson Academy (New York City’s only independent middle school for academically-talented boys from underserved communities). He holds an MBA and bachelor of science in industrial engineering from Lehigh University.