Join us on February 23-24, 2026 as we celebrate the power of diversity, equity and inclusion within the food and agriculture sector. Join us in Amsterdam to uncover how these essential values, combined with innovation, are revolutionizing your industry.
Monday 23 – Tuesday 24 February, 2026
12:00 am
Hotel Okura, Amsterdam
2025 Agenda
16:00
16:00 | Exclusive film preview: World Without Cows
What would happen if you removed all the cows from planet earth?
Ahead of the WFA drinks reception, join us for an exclusive preview of World Without Cows, a thought-provoking 90 minute film that examines the profound impact cows have on our world. Through in-depth interviews with farmers, scientists, and independent experts, this documentary explores the cultural, economic, and environmental significance of these animals and aims to bust the myths surrounding them.
This captivating film challenges viewers to reconsider the true value of cows and the possible consequences of a world without them. Don’t miss this eye-opening event!
18:00
18:00 | Opening night meet and greet drinks reception
08:30
08:30 | Registration & networking
09:15
09:15 | Chair’s opening remarks
Jamie Chadwick
Managing Editor
Expana
09:30
09:30 | Opening keynote: Overcoming adversity – Stories from an inspirational leader in food and ag
Listen to a motivating speech from an inspiring leader from the food and agriculture sector to gain a different perspective into their career and how they have tackled challenges. Be entertained and gain learnings to apply to your own work and home life.
Kika Buhrmann
Chief Executive Officer
Nespresso Netherlands
10:00
10:00 | Panel discussion: The future of work and how we adapt
- What will a job and career in food and agriculture look like in the future? What will future generations want from their careers?
- Preparing for upcoming shifts in the professional sphere and the changing nature of the workplace
- The importance of considering diverse age groups in the workforce
- Moving towards an ageing workforce and how we adopt strategies to support them
- Discussing successful case studies including apprenticeship programs, and international recruitment efforts to address workforce gap
- How do you create a culture of innovation and growth mindset in your workforce?
Corinne Bonadei
Head Of Precision Services Animal Nutrion And Health
DSM-Firmenich
Katja Hermans
Head Of HR
Alltech Coppens
Luana Clapis
Chief Data Officer
Expana
10:50
10:50 | WFA awards ceremony
Join us as we celebrate the remarkable people transforming the food and agriculture industry through the advancement of DEI. This award ceremony honors their dedication, innovation, and leadership in driving change.
11:10
11:10 | Networking break
11:40
11:40 | How to communicate effectively: Storytelling, persuasion and negotiation
- Communication and storytelling as leadership tools in the food and ag sector
- Adopting communication strategies and storytelling methods to successfully convey your message
- Tailoring your communication style to meet the needs of the situation to build rapport and trust
- Developing compelling writing and speaking skills to be more persuasive and engage key stakeholders
- Improving negotiation skills and create a foundation for strong professional relationships
- Resolving conflicts and achieving win-win solutions
Margot Slattery
Global Group Head Of Social Sustainability
ISS World Services
12:10
12:10 | Best practice panel: Driving inclusivity through successful leadership
- Case studies on effective inclusive leadership in the food and agriculture sector
- How to build up the next generation of female leaders
- How to demonstrate ROI and convince your senior leadership that D&I pays
- Being a successful mentor to others, officially and unofficially
- How to build stronger emotional connections
- Successful initiatives to champion internal talent development and support long-term employee growth and satisfaction
Seda Gumuspala Eceli
Global Procurement Director – Icecream Soft Commodities
Unilever
Cunera Vlaar
CEO Netherlands
Sodexo
Alexandra Brand
EVP Of Sustainability And Corporate Affairs
Syngenta
Thais Souza
Global Marketing Director
Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health
13:00
13:00 | Networking lunch
14:00
14:00 | Interactive skills workshop- Managing difficult conversations
Examine the dynamics of effective problem-solving, one-on-one interviews, and advocating for yourself.
Learn how to initiate and have tricky conversations that lead to resolutions and behavioral change.
Tosin Jack
Director Of Market Reporting
Expana
14:00 | Interactive skills workshop- Navigating new connections with confidence
Practice networking to establish strong communities to support yourself, your peers, and the next generation of women in food and agriculture.
Gain personal confidence networking to achieve your personal or business goals
Sapphira Waterson
Chief Executive Officer Of Management Development Services
MDS
14:00 | Interactive skills workshop- Strategies to combat burnout, support mental health, and improve your work-life balance
Hear best practices and personal experiences to combat burnout and navigate a better work life balance.
Learn how to better manage stress and create sustained personal growth
Ayanna Cummings
Owner & Chief Executive Officer
AgriEmpower, LLC
14:00 | Interactive skills workshop- Overcoming barriers as women in buying, selling and supply chain roles
Discussing barriers to career progression and sharing experiences and advice as female executives in supply chain, procurement, and commercial roles.
Gain tools unique to this career path to empower your career in sales and logistics
Eleonore de Montjoye
Supply Chain & Procurement Director
Yum Brands – Pizza Hut UK & Europe
15:15
15:15 | Networking break
15:35
15:35 | Leadership coaching: Navigating the paths to becoming an effective leader in food and ag
Join the early careers or senior careers stream for a discussion on key topics to turbocharge your career progression and develop your skills.
Early careers
- The challenges for women to overcome developing their careers in a male dominated environment
- Assessing different leadership styles
- How women can rise to leadership roles while staying true to themselves
- Building alliances and managing up to increase your visibility within the organization for future career progression
- Proactive engagement and goalsetting strategies for your personal development
Senior careers
- The challenges for women to overcome developing their careers in a male dominated environment
- Assessing different leadership styles
- Leading authentically in a professional setting
- Effective leadership in turbulent times
- Learn how to develop creative and sustainable strategies to support your teams
Abir Haddoud
Founding Partner
HAIAT Group
Jacqueline Langlois
Founder
Gen D Consulting
16:20
16:20 | Looking ahead to 2035: The future of food and agriculture
- How the landscape of food and ag will change over the next 10 years
- How are companies integrating sustainability objectives and climate resilience into their long-term strategic planning?
- Women-led initiatives in sustainable agriculture from across the world
- Implementing a farmer-centric strategy to support climate adaption.
- Preparing for 2026 and beyond
Florence Henry
Global Head Sustainability Nutrition
Nestle