Iris brings a wealth of experience in international economics, sustainability, and social impact to her role as Program Director for Equity Action at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). With a Master’s degree in International Economics, Iris has dedicated her career to improving lives through strategic partnerships, innovation, and creating inclusive solutions.
Her journey began at Rabobank Foundation, where she managed a program portfolio aimed at supporting farmer organizations and microfinance institutions in Asia. Her work laid the foundation for her commitment to sustainable development and social impact.
Iris later joined IDH, the Sustainable Trade Initiative, where she served as the Global Director for Innovation & Insights and as a member of the Management Team. At IDH, she played a pivotal role in driving forward critical innovations, particularly in the areas of Living Income, Living Wages, Inclusive Business Models, Gender Equity, and integrating the Climate and Social Agendas into the core of business strategies. Her ability to foster change through collaboration and innovation set the stage for the sustainable transformations seen across industries.
Before her current role, Iris worked with Olam Food Ingredients (ofi), a leading agribusiness company, as the Head of AtSource Insights & Data. Here, she led initiatives that empowered businesses with data-driven insights to improve sourcing practices and sustainability efforts across the supply chain.
In December 2024, Iris joined WBCSD as Program Director for Equity Action, where she focuses on advancing the social aspect of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. With a keen passion for leveraging the private sector to deliver positive impact for both people and the planet, Iris is committed to scaling solutions that benefit farmers, communities, and vulnerable populations around the world.
As a member of the Supervisory Board of Progreso, Iris is actively involved in initiatives such as data democracy and Beyco, furthering her dedication to enabling inclusive, data-driven decision-making processes that support sustainable agriculture and social equity.
Iris’s leadership and vision continue to inspire change, creating pathways for businesses to deliver measurable, positive impact at scale.