Speakers | ISEAL Global Sustainability Symposium 2026
Meet the speakers who will be sharing their insights at the ISEAL Global Sustainability Symposium. They bring a diverse range of perspectives from producers, businesses, policymakers, and sustainability organisations, offering practical knowledge and experience from across sectors.
This page is updated regularly as additional speakers are confirmed, so please check back in for the latest updates.
Simone Giger is Switzerland’s Ambassador to Ghana, Benin and Togo with residence in Accra
since August 2022. In her role, s he is responsible for the maintenance and deepening of bilateral
relations between Switzerland and her countries of accreditation. She is the first woman to hold this position.
since August 2022. In her role, s he is responsible for the maintenance and deepening of bilateral
relations between Switzerland and her countries of accreditation. She is the first woman to hold this position.
Her Excellency Ms Simone Giger
Embassy of Switzerland in Ghana, Swiss Ambassador to Ghana
Karin Kreider has been Executive Director at ISEAL since 2012, working on external and member engagement, partnerships, governance, strategy, and all things good institutional management. Previously she was involved in the start-up of Rainforest Alliance and worked on organisational development and the launch of their forestry, agriculture and tourism programmes.
Karin Kreider
ISEAL, Executive Director
Juliana Asiedu holds a diploma in General Agriculture from Kwadaso Agricultural College and is currently pursuing a degree at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). She is a youth member and financial secretary of Offinso Fine Flavour Cocoa Cooperative (OFFCOP). A Fairtrade Women School of Leadership graduate and Best Female Leader (2024), she trains farmers on labour rights and sustainable cocoa production and advocates for smallholder farmers.
Juliana Asiedu
Dr Safoa Osei
UNIDO, Expert, SECO funded project on Implementing Quality Systems with SMEs in cocoa, palm oil sectors
Leonardo Iacovone
The World Bank, Practice Lead - Ghana
Dr Richard Gyimah
Forestry Commission, Executive Director
Emi-Beth Quantson
Kawa Moka, CEO
Daniel Nyame
Unilever, Managing Director
Caitlin Peeling
The Hershey Company, Sustainable Sourcing Cocoa Manager - Data, Learning & Assurance
George Watene
Global Coffee Platform, Programme Manager - Kenya Coffee Platform
Jacob Adzikah
Chamber of Aquaculture Ghana, CEO
Lisa Barratt
Better Cotton, Senior Manager for Africa Programmes
Nurudeen Adam
Norpalm Ghana Ltd, Internal Audit Manager
Joseph Bandanaa
Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa (SWISSCO), Country Lead - Ghana
Worlali Senyo
Farmerline, Country Lead - Ghana
Dr Mawuli Coffie
World Cocoa Foundation, Country Director - Ghana
Abdulahi Aliyu
RIKOLTO, Global Director - cocoa and coffee
Nicholas Jengre
Rainforest Alliance
Fabienne Yver
European Forest Institute, Technical advisor on sustainable cocoa
Abu Karimu
Settle Ghana, Executive Director
Nana Darko Cobbina
FSC, Certification Manager - Africa
Valerie Fumey-Nassah
Ghana Forestry Commission, Director of Plantations
Saa Dittoh
University for Development Studies Ghana, Professor
Gerard Ivan Busse
FSC, Regional Market Development Manager – Africa & Middle East
Benedicta Lasi
African Trade Chamber, Executive Chair
Jennifer Azuka Abuah
Natural Ingredient & Ingredient Sourcing Leader
His Excellency Alex Assanvo
Cȏte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI), Executive Secretary
Larry Attipoe is a key member of ITC global agribusiness team and Africa Regional Coordinator of value chain interventions in cocoa and coffee with a keen eye on sustainability. He was previously the International Development Director of Fairtrade International.
Lawrence Attipoe
International Trade Centre (ITC), Regional Head
Stephen Doso
Proforest, Deputy Africa Director
Vidya Rangan has been with ISEAL since mid-2015, working on research, engagement and our human rights programme. Today she leads ISEAL’s Policy and Engagement team and the Research and Evidence programme.
Vidya Rangan
ISEAL, Policy and Engagement Director
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