Meet our team
FOUNDER & ADVISOR
Feike Sijbesma
Feike is a recognized international leader in sustainable business and systemic change. He was CEO of Royal DSM for nearly 13 years and held a position in the Managing Board for over 20 years.
He transformed DSM from a (bulk)chemical company into a sustainable, innovative, science-based company, with a focus on nutrition, health and sustainable living.
In line with his vision of “doing well by doing good”, he aimed from the start at long-term value creation for all stakeholders, creating a clear purpose-driven company. The success of his strategy was reflected in the more than tripling of the share price as well as substantial positive impact on climate and nutrition.
ADVISOR
Floor Saris
Floor has worked over 17 years at Royal DSM and has seen up close and contributed to the transformation of DSM into a force for good.
She has been working in multiple industries (nutrition, personal care, automotive) and has held several roles in new business development, strategy, marketing/sales and procurement, making her an all-round business professional. Floor holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management, with a specialization in B2B marketing.
ADVISOR
Florentine Oberman
Florentine has 6+ years experience in building and driving strategic partnerships globally and accelerating sustainable business practices.
As Partnerships Manager at Royal DSM, now dsm-firmenich, she was responsible for managing the Global Public-Private Partnerships with the World Food Programme, UNICEF, World Vision and developed the collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Leading innovative new business model implementation and scaling thereof in East Africa and South-East Asia.
Florentine has an interdisciplinary background and holds an MSc in Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment from University College London (UCL).
ADVISOR
Sarah Schaeffer
Sarah is a strategic communicator and partnership builder with 15 years of experience helping organizations expand their reach and effectiveness. She has a talent for translating complex ideas into compelling narratives that inspire action. At Philips, she spent over seven years shaping corporate sustainability messaging and developing The Philips Foundation. She then worked with mission-driven organizations like Porticus and The Ocean Cleanup, working on strategic positioning and forging partnerships to drive meaningful change.
With expertise in both corporate and philanthropic sectors, Sarah helps organizations articulate their vision, connect with clients, and create impact. Sarah holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from The London School of Economics.
PROJECT OFFICE / ADVISOR
Sébas Gunterman
Sébas Gunterman is a passionate and dedicated junior advisor with a background in sustainability, environmental policy, and biology.
Through his academic and professional experience in multiple sustainable food system transformation projects, ranging from starts-ups to large scale initiatives, he has contributed to advancing equitable and sustainable agriculture and fostering innovative technological solutions for food systems.
Sébas holds a Master’s degree in Global Environmental Change and Policy from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Hermine Kaesler
Hermine Kaesler followed an education as executive assistant. She worked between 1979 for the country registry and an IT company (1990). Hermine joined Royal DSM in 1996 as executive assistant for several directors. She has been executive assistant to Feike Sijbesma since August 2000, currently in the context of Darwin International.
Experts
Darwin International works with associates and experts on relevant topics that require specialized and in-depth technical knowledge, such as climate change, energy law and food systems, to offer our clients the best possible advice and support.
EXPERT
Wilbert Sybesma
Wilbert Sybesma PhD MBA, has over 25 years of experience in Nutrition&Health. During his professional career Wilbert worked with industry leaders such as Nestlé and DSM Nutritional Products.
His expertise lies in fermentation technology and functional ingredients that can enhance the human gut microbiome. In October 2021, Wilbert founded Microbiome Solutions GmbH in Switzerland, offering consultancy services to foster innovation and value creation in the human microbiome sector. Wilbert also co-founded the Yoba for Life Foundation (promoting locally produced probiotic yogurt in East Africa) and teaches Food Biotechnology at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL). Wilbert has co-authored over 75 peer-reviewed scientific articles.
EXPERT
Weiming Jiang
Dr. Weiming Jiang has built an exceptional career spanning more than 35 years working with multinational companies including Carlsberg, Novo Nordisk, Novozymes and DSM.
Dr. Jiang has rich experience as a management professional with a global outlook as well as in-depth knowledge of the Chinese market. He also has extensive experience in, and passion for, the bio-technology industry. He advises on diversity and localization of business in China and is a vocal advocate for open innovation, green / low-carbon development and a circular economy.
Currently, Dr. Jiang holds non-executive positions for several European, Asian and Chinese companies and institutions. He holds a PhD in Agro.
Adapt
Act
Impact
Like Darwin, we believe that adaptation is the key to being successful in a changing world. Adaptation in our thinking and behaviour, while being open to paradigm shifts. Our current habitat is under serious pressure. So, the question is: how will we make the change and adapt in time? Collectively as a global society, as companies, and as individuals?