| Frans de Jong – Founder |
 I strongly believe that the Dutch agribusiness sector is able to increase their impact in dealing with the world food challenge and that the lack of funding is one of the factors that hampers economically viable agri-food initiatives. This perspective, together with my roots in the agri-sector, my expertise in risk management and audit and my long standing experience in investing and financing of agri-business, led to setting up the Seed2Feed Foundation.
Having worked in various roles in Dutch and international food & agri-banking provided me with an extensive network in both, the various branches of the agri-sector, including dairy and horticulture, and the world of investors and funding providers. Working together with leading agri-business companies, NGO’s, knowledge institutes and financial partners I aspire to enable concrete projects which help solving the world food challenge. |
| Joost Verheijen |
 I am a socially engaged finance professional. I support companies and organizations in obtaining financing for sustainable investments.
Over 20 years of experience in the Finance sector, both debt and equity. Specialized in international Food & Agribusiness. Field experience as finance professional in various countries in Latin America and Africa. |
| Marleen de Hoog |
 I grew up at the center of the Dutch agri-business, in the Westland. This is a unique small part of the Netherlands with a lot of innovative agri-company’s. Their knowledge and experience can help other countries and continents like Africa by providing sufficient food for their people. My expertise is in the field of marketing and communication, especially for agri- entrepreneurs.
There are so many beautiful stories to tell about agri-innovations, fresh healthy products and sustainable contributions to the world. My strength is to ask questions that enable other people to understand the meaning of a project of a company. And after that, making them enthusiastic to co-operate. I believe in working together with different kind of people and use each other’s knowledge and strengths to grow. |
| Lourens van Herk |
 During 10 years I was responsible for a public trainings institute that offers training and consultancy to the Dutch horticulture sector. Originally from the IT industry, I was amazed about the innovative strength of the Dutch Greenport.
During the last 4 years I was involved in many international projects in China, India, Oman, Vietnam and Iran. Central theme in these projects is knowledge transfer to farmers to increase production and quality. It’s satisfying if you can contribute to a sustainable solution of the food issue in the world. |
| Sierk Plaat |
 International agriculture economist (MSc London University, UK) and agriculturist (BSc Deventer Tropical Agriculture College, NL) with more than 40 years of public and private sector experience in managing, analyzing and promoting different aspects of agriculture, including export promotion, market strategy, economic analysis and trade associations.
Experienced manager in working with professionals with extensive skills in (project) management, training, strategic planning, project identification, agriculture chain analysis, small farm development, due diligence in agriculture business. Fluent in both, Dutch and English. Eighteen years overseas residence in Africa and Asia and numerous assignments in Asia, Africa, Central America, Middle East and Europe. Specialized in a wide range of agriculture development issues (tropical and temperate) |
| Lourus Riemens |
 In my natural leadership role as a serious, sincere and dedicated manager I create harmony in a constructive way in leading different parties in the right direction. While doing so, I am aware of my impact so I act decisively but extremely thoughtfully. I am passionate about the African continent and I invest a lot of effort in developing prosperity for the continent.
I am able to manage complex projects and I am an expert in managing financial and operational risks. My motives to engage in the world food challenge are to minimize social inequalities in society which is motivated by a conservative traditional way of life. |
| Bernard Koeckhoven |
 My whole working career I have been active in the agricultural sector, especially in The Netherlands. As a former secretary general of the Dutch Farmers organization (‘LTO-Nederland’) I have been closely involved in the developments in Dutch agriculture. After this position I was responsible, until September 2018, for the agricultural insurance department of the biggest agricultural and horticultural insurer in The Netherlands: Achmea/Interpolis/Hagelunie. Especially as director of NV Hagelunie, the specialist insurer for greenhouses and crops not only in The Netherlands but also abroad, I was involved in knowledge driven, modern technologies and developments in the greenhouse sector. Nowadays I am busy as a non-executive and advisor in a wide range of activities in and around the sector. |
| Otto Kroesen |
 Since 12 years I’ve been involved in entrepreneurship for development as a teacher in cross-cultural entrepreneurship at the Delft University of Technology. I am interested in the capacity that is required from engineers to play a constructive role (both in social and technological terms) in development. In course of time I’ve also become interested in the capacity of smallholder farmers to grow, not only to grow vegetables, but also to grow themselves in entrepreneurial skills.I have supervised students internships of TUdelft students in enterprises abroad. That also triggered my interest in rural development in the Global South. After my retirement summer 2021 I hope to continue these activities on a voluntary basis, attracting students of higher education for internships in rural development in the Global South. |
