With over 14 years of experience as a sustainability leader, I am passionate about empowering organizations to make a sustainable social and environmental impact, particularly in emerging markets. As the Acorn Partnership Lead Africa at Rabobank, I lead a diverse team that supports thousands of smallholder farmers across Africa to adopt agroforestry practices and access additional income through the carbon market. My role involves managing partnerships across multiple countries, engaging government and key stakeholders, as well as shaping strategic development initiatives across the continent.In addition to my role at Rabobank, I am the founder of my own consultancy, where I provide strategic advice, coaching, training, interim management, and workshops on sustainability and corporate social responsibility. My work spans across various sectors and geographies, with a focus on delivering pragmatic solutions to complex sustainability challenges.Throughout my career, I have built a strong international background in sustainability, communications, and business strategy, holding leadership positions at organizations such as ORTEC, Het Portaal, Tradin Organic, Fairtrade International, and the Netherlands Embassy in Costa Rica. My extensive global experience, particularly in Latin America, Africa and Europe, has shaped my ability to navigate diverse cultural landscapes and manage complex intercultural partnerships.I hold an MSc in International Development from Wageningen University and a BSc in International Business and Languages from Hogeschool Rotterdam. Fluent in Dutch, English, and Spanish, I also command advanced proficiency in French, Portuguese, and German, allowing me to effectively engage with stakeholders across the globe.Key strengths include:- Sustainability Leadership: Extensive expertise in sustainability and proven ability to lead teams and organizations toward scalable impact.- Strategic Partnerships and Business Development: Expertise in business development strategies and building, international partnerships with governments, NGOs, and the private sector.- Food & agriculture: Extensive expertise in addressing sustainability challenges in global food and agriculture supply chains.- Global Perspective: A strong track record of working across Latin America, Africa, Europe, and high intercultural sensitivity.I am always eager to collaborate with forward-thinking leaders and organizations that share my vision of a more sustainable, equitable future. Feel free to reach out to discuss how we can drive meaningful change together.