How do you take a big idea like sustainability, build a transformative business strategy around it, and operationalize it at one of the world's biggest and most high profile global companies?
We've invited Derk Hendriksen of the Coca-Cola Company to answer that very question at our April Innovation Breakfast.
Derk has played several global business, marketing, and sustainability roles during his 20 years with Coke, including a role as VP of Business Integration in the Office of Sustainability, where he was responsible for planning, marketing and governance tied to running an almost $200 billion, sustainable, purpose-driven business.
In his talk, Derk will shine light on the role sustainability plays in strategy, implementation and innovation at Coca-Cola.
He'll also tell the story of the EKOCENTER project, Coke's ambitious effort to build a billion-dollar brand while impacting billions of lives. Through public, private, and community partnerships, the program has built more than 150 EKOCENTER kiosks in disadvantaged communities around the world, including centers in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Rwanda, Vietnam, South Africa, and Cambodia. The centers can provide solar power, clean water and job opportunities.
Derk, a Dutch native, is eager to share the lessons he's learned with the Innovation Breakfast: “As a new Chicago resident I am very excited to get acquainted with this thriving, innovative community."
Innovation Breakfast Series:
The Innovation Breakfast Series is a forum meant for innovators – in small, medium and large companies – across Chicagoland’s food & beverage industry. Come learn and share practical tips for taking your company's innovation to the next level!
Schedule of Events (April 12th):
7:00 AM Doors open for breakfast and networking
7:30 Welcoming remarks
7:40 Derk Hendriksen
8:45 Adjourn
Many thanks to Tyson Foods for providing the venue this month on an issue that is one of their top priorities!
Breakfast provided by Fifty Gazelles
Derk Hendriksen, Vice President & General Manager ECOCENTER, the Coca-Cola Company
Derk Hendriksen is a global leader with the Coca-Cola Company. He's worked in marketing, general management and business development roles in The Netherlands, Belgium, France, the European Group, and Coke's Corporate Headquarters in Atlanta.
He is currently Vice President & General Manager of the EKOCENTER project, which aims to empower disadvantaged communities through social enterprise. In this entrepreneurial role Derk particularly enjoys being able to merge his broad business acumen and his personal passion for creating a more sustainable world.
In other transformational roles, Derk helped build ‘The Coca-Cola Way of Marketing’, The Coca-Cola Company’s proprietary approach to building some of the world’s strongest brands. His experience includes global strategy, planning and innovation for Coca-Cola’s brand portfolio and marketing these brands globally and locally.
Register here!
