Prior to becoming Executive Vice President, Sustainability, Corporate Affairs and Transformation in November 2023, Alexandra Brand led one of Syngenta Group’s largest and most profitable businesses as the Crop Protection Regional Director for EAME.

From 2018 – 2020, Alexandra Brand was Chief Sustainability Officer of Syngenta Group where she led the newly created Business Sustainability Group to evolve existing sustainability initiatives including The Good Growth Plan and to drive forward the company’s sustainability agenda. Alexandra joined Syngenta in late 2015 as Regional Director of Syngenta’s crop protection and seed operations across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Before joining Syngenta, Alexandra held various positions in the BASF Group, including senior vice president of its global Animal Nutrition business unit, vice president of the Global Marketing Pharma Ingredients unit as well as chief of staff for BASF’s chief executive officer. Alexandra gained international experience through her role as director of BASF’s Sub Regional Operating Manager Intermediates in South Asia, with its headquarters in Mumbai, India.

Alexandra studied chemistry at the Technische Universität in Darmstadt, Germany, from 1990 to 1998 and completed her studies with a doctorate

Kika Buhrmann, CEO of Nespresso Netherlands since April 2023, is an inspiring leader with diverse international experience in Spain, Switzerland, and the USA.   

Leading  Nespresso Netherlands, she fosters a culture of intentional collaboration and innovation, driving positive impact in the coffee industry and sustainability. She is fueled by the desire to create a better world for future generations. With over 20 years of expertise, she knows how to put the customer experience and employee experience at the core of her thinking, whilst being a strong advocate for diversity initiatives at Nespresso and beyond.  She’s on a mission to make every sip of coffee count!  

As the keynote speaker at WFA Europe and a strong advocate for women's empowerment, Kika will provide an honest and inspiring look at the challenges an experienced leader in the coffee sector has faced throughout her career, the lessons learned, and the tools she has found and used along the way. Her reflections and actionable strategies will empower you to craft your own recipe for success. 

Kika is a Dutch and Brazilian citizen. She has 3 children and in her free time enjoys making jewelry as well as exploring the world through her children’s perspective.  

Her personal mantra is “Do something today that your future self will thank you for”. 

As Head of HR and a member of the Management Board at Alltech Coppens, Katja Hermans oversees human resources operations across three key locations: the Head Office and Research Center in the Netherlands, the production facility in Germany, and the HR functions for Alltech Netherlands and Alltech Germany. In her leadership role, Katja plays a pivotal part in shaping the strategic direction and organizational culture of Alltech Coppens. 

From the outset of her career, Katja has been passionate about human resources. This enthusiasm has fueled her commitment to continuous professional development and has been a guiding force in her career. She has actively pursued opportunities to deepen her expertise in HR management, labor law, and leadership. 

Prior to her current position, Katja gained significant leadership experience as a Branch Manager. In this role, she oversaw branch operations, led staff recruitment efforts, and managed client relations, delivering strong business outcomes. 

Katja has further enhanced her professional credentials through various certifications and training, including qualifications as an economic mediator and psychological coach. Her passion for employment law has also led her to serve as an independent judge at the labor court in Germany. 

With her unwavering dedication to HR, strong leadership skills, and active participation as part of the management team, Katja is instrumental in driving the success of Alltech Coppens and contributing to Alltech’s broader mission of achieving excellence. 

Sunil Nayak is Zone President for Europe, region CEO of Continental Europe and the executive sponsor for Global Strategic Accounts at Sodexo.

Sunil’s passion for food began when he opened a food cart on the streets of Mumbai in 1989, and continues today at Sodexo – a world leader in delivering sustainable food service and valued experiences in over 50 countries.

Sunil joined Sodexo in 2009 as CEO Sodexo India. He went on to grow and transform the business in India and held global strategic roles including CEO Corporate Services Asia Pacific and in 2019 CEO Corporate Services worldwide. He has been a member of Sodexo’s group executive leadership team since 2019 and in November 2022, he was appointed Zone President for Europe with responsibility for the implementation of Sodexo's strategic roadmap across the Zone and in January 2023, he was also appointed CEO of the Continental Europe region, leading 18 countries.

Sunil is an executive sponsor of diversity, equity& inclusion at Sodexo, providing direction and leadership to SoTogether – a global advisory board driving gender balance by advancing women at all levels of the organization. Externally, he is a member of the advisory boards of Women in Food and Agriculture (WFA) and Catalyst Europe.

Beyond his professional work, Sunil champions inclusion and founded Ra Foundation, an NGO that supports children’s education, a cause close to his heart. Sunil is Indian and speaks English and Hindi.

Dr. Ayanna R. Cummings, PhD, MBA, CDE®, SPHR, is a trailblazer in agricultural education and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leadership. As Co-Founder and CEO of AgriEmpower, LLC, she leads initiatives to address food deserts, health inequities, and economic disparities through partnerships with community and technical colleges, minority-owned agricultural enterprises, and under-resourced communities. AgriEmpower focuses on empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders with a curriculum that integrates sustainable practices, technological innovation, and community engagement. Its mission, “Where there is food, there is life,” reflects its commitment to fostering collaboration for a healthier, equitable future. 

Dr. Cummings brings a wealth of expertise in inclusion and equity training, with over a decade of experience in cultural transformation, DEI strategy, and community advocacy. A distinguished scholar-practitioner, her work has been recognized nationally, including the Top DEI Officer Award from the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Dr. Cummings holds a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, an MBA in Marketing, and certifications as a Certified Diversity Executive and Senior Professional in Human Resources. 

Her dual commitment to equitable agricultural education and inclusive leadership positions her as a visionary voice in bridging community empowerment with sustainable food systems, making a profound impact on agriculture’s future.