Technical Committee
The Technical Committee reviews and validates the draft People 4 Earth standard, based on their individual technical expertise and work experience.
Jennie holds an MSc in rural sociology of the tropics from the Agricultural University in Wageningen, the Netherlands. After her studies she lived and worked for in various African countries for 15 years.
Since 1999 when she returned to the Netherlands, she has been working on 'fair and sustainable trade' programmes. Examples are FSC timber, fair trade and organic fruit, cotton, and oilseeds, as well as more sustainable Fresh Fruits & Vegetables for Albert Heijn - the biggest retailer in the Netherlands.
Jennie has an outstanding network in the social, ethical, and fair trade code and certification society.
René has been Director Standards and Quality of People 4 Earth since August 1st, 2008. After earning a MSc. in industrial Engineering at the University of Eindhoven, he has worked as a Quality Coordinator and Process Manager for 10 Years in an international company working with prefab building products, machinery, and polystyrene products.
After working for a year as an individual consultant, René worked for 4 years as QESH Manager of Natudis, a wholesaler and brandowner of organic and natural products, and a subsidiary company of Royal Wessanen.
He believes that together (as a community) we can make little steps that will have a great impact on products, our lives and the lives of our children. The development and implementation of a global People 4 Earth Standard will contribute to that.
Albrecht is a German agronomist. He worked for many years as a consultant for smallholders (small farm owners) in South America. Since 2000, he has been involved in certification of farms and food industries according to organic requirements, good agricultural practices and social standards, mainly in Africa, Eastern Europe and South East Asia.
After studying genetics and economics at Wageningen University, Frits researched sustainable dairy farming, veal production and animal welfare for 8 years.
Since 1999 he has worked for the Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CLM). CLM promotes sustainable agriculture, healthy food, a vital rural economy and an attractive countryside through research and advice. CLM cooperates with farmers, citizens, companies and policy makers in order to bridge controversies between farming and society and to create practical solutions to pressing problems.
Frits is Senior Consultant and Team Manager 'Society' at CLM. He is involved in several projects in agriculture and society focusing on issues such as emissions of greenhouse gases, ammonia and odor pollution, plus animal health and welfare. He also participates in projects on entrepreneurship and regional development.
Within the Technical Committee of People 4 Earth, Frits is focused on the agricultural aspects of sustainable food production.
René wants to participate in People 4 Earth because everything is interdependent in the world, so anyone can change the world by doing what they believe.
He has a Bachelor's degree in food technology and more than 15 years of experience in various branches of the food industry including seven years involving organics. Presently, René works as a consultant in the food industry.
The company he works for, Précon Food Management, is a well know consultant and training company in the Netherlands. Précon specializes in food safety & quality systems, legislation, and employee training.
Sjors is senior consultant at BMD. He supports companies in implementing sustainability and innovation. In this role, Sjors is also chairman of the sustainability roundtable which works together with the Dutch government.
He worked for 6 years in Colombia on ecodesign, Life Cycle Assessment, and systems thinking together with more than 70 companies as well as local and national governments and the United Nations. He established and lead the research and consulting group Dips; a group which, among others, coordinates the resettlement roundtable together with the World Bank. Sjors used to lead the technical committee for the Colombian ISO 14040 standard.
"Sustainability is not something new. It has been among us since the beginning of time. It is the exchange of experience and knowledge about sustainability that makes sustainability work. The People 4 Earth standard will lay a basis for this synergy."
Ward has a passion for sustainability and supply chains. After working for Ahold Coffee Company, Ward decided to start his own company for Sustainability Consultancy and Interim Management in 2009.
Ward worked for years in the coffee business as Buyer, Manager of the Buying and Sourcing, Product Group Manager and, finally, as CEO. In 2001, Ward founded Utz Certified together with Nick Bocklandt. Founding Utz Certified and bringing certified coffee successfully to mainstream consumers has contributed to his experience and knowledge in sustainable concepts and their professional implementation.
Ward is very enthusiastic about the People 4 Earth initiative and is committed to introduce this new sustainability program to the community and to companies. "It is about time that consumers know where and how goods are produced. Transparency, full traceability and honest information for all people will lead to a sustainable earth". www.warddegroote.com
Thea has worked for People 4 Earth since October 1st, 2009 as Manager of Customer Support. She holds a bachelors degree in marketing and worked in the field for several years.
Thea later transitioned to purchasing and product development. She worked in this field for many years including working as Purchase Manager for private labels at Natudis, a wholesaler and brand owner of organic and natural products and a subsidiary company of Royal Wessanen.
