Movers and Shakers The right people in the right roles can make all the difference


World Cocoa Foundation appoints Suzanne Blake as Head of Strategic Partnerships and Membership


The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) has appointed Suzanne Blake as head of strategic partnerships and membership, strengthening its leadership team amid increasing regulatory, climate and market pressures across the global cocoa sector. Based in Washington D.C., WCF said Blake


will lead engagement with member companies and strategic partners, with responsibility for expanding the organisation’s membership base and strengthening collaboration across industry, NGOs, investors and landscape initiatives. Her role will focus on aligning stakeholders around sustainability priorities including climate resilience, farmer livelihoods and forest protection. Blake brings more than 20 years’ experience


across communications, sustainability strategy and climate finance. She has held senior leadership roles at publishing houses Macmillan and Phaidon, as well as global brand and sustainability agencies FutureBrand and SalterBaxter. Most recently, she worked at climate and nature advisory firm Pollination, where she led partnerships, marketing and industry engagement initiatives. She also advises the Nature Positive


Landscapes Initiative on communications and partnership strategy. Blake holds an MA in History from the University of Edinburgh and a certification in sustainable finance from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. Commenting on her appointment, Blake


Dr Uwe Boltersdorf appointed COO of BENEO


BENEO has announced the appointment of Dr Uwe Boltersdorf as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of BENEO GmbH, effective from 1st February 2026. Uwe completed his doctorate at the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT in Oberhausen after studying chemical engineering at the University of Dortmund. He benefits from more than 20 years of international management experience in the areas of production, process development and engineering following previous roles at Bayer AG, Lanxess AG, thyssenkrupp AG and Sulzer AG. On 1st April 2025, Uwe was appointed to the Executive


Board of BENEO’s sister company CropEnergies AG, a manufacturer of renewable products from biomass, where he took on the role of Chief Operating Officer. In addition to being BENEO’s new COO, Uwe will continue his existing role at CropEnergies AG. In his position at BENEO, he will be responsible for Operations including production, technology, supply chain management, quality, raw material, health, safety and environmental protection, as well as sustainability. As BENEO’s new COO, he is succeeding Dr Mike Eberle


who took over the role of CEO of the Sugar Division of Südzucker Group at the end of October 2025.


said: “Cocoa sits at the intersection of forest protection, farmer livelihoods and global supply chain resilience. At a time when expectations of the sector are rising, the opportunity is to turn shared ambition into practical, collective action. WCF has a unique convening role, and I look forward to working with members and partners to scale solutions that secure cocoa’s future.” Dougal Freeman, WCF vice president


of operations, added: “Suzanne brings a rare blend of strategic corporate affairs expertise, sustainability leadership and coalition-building experience. As the sector faces heightened scrutiny and opportunity, her ability to align diverse stakeholders around shared priorities will strengthen WCF’s capacity to accelerate impact.”


Mondelez appoints Luca Zaramella as COO and CFO


Mondelez International has appointed Luca Zaramella as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer, effective February 1, 2026. In his expanded role, Zaramella will oversee commercial operations across the company’s four geographic regions, as well as corporate sales, marketing, and supply chain functions. He will continue reporting directly to Chair and CEO Dirk Van de Put. Commenting on the appointment,


Van de Put said: “I am pleased to announce Luca’s appointment as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Luca is a strong operational and financial leader with deep knowledge of our business and a consistent record of driving strong results. It is vital that we stay agile and continue to raise the bar on our operational excellence in an environment that has never been more dynamic. I am


confident that Luca is the right leader to further elevate our execution and accelerate our performance as we realize the promise of our growth agenda.” Zaramella added: “I’m


honoured to step into this role


for Mondelz, expanding my focus on executional excellence and commercial performance across our organization. I am inspired by our people, brands and capabilities, with vast potential to deliver attractive, long-lasting growth and create value for years to come.” Zaramella has been part of Mondelz International’s leadership team as CFO since 2018, overseeing Finance, Procurement, Information & Technology Solutions, and shared services globally. He has played a central role in developing the company’s strategic growth framework and financial algorithm, and previously held senior roles across Latin America, Europe, and North America.


46 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • FEBRUARY 2026


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