Protein diversification: A strategic lever for sustainable impact

Event description

As global food companies navigate shifting consumer demands and sustainability challenges, protein diversification has emerged as a key strategy to future-proof supply chains, reduce emissions, and meet evolving dietary preferences. But what does meaningful protein diversification look like in practice, and how can businesses successfully expand their offerings?

In this session, you’ll gain exclusive insights into the latest benchmarking results from the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA), hear from Nestlé on their corporate strategy and leadership in this space, and explore GFI’s latest market research on the biggest opportunities for alternative proteins.

We’ll cover:

• Key indicators of protein diversification success from WBA’s benchmarking methodology
• How Nestlé prioritizes protein diversification to advance sustainability and meet consumer needs
• Market data, consumer perceptions, and opportunities to expand alternative protein portfolios
• Live Q&A with industry experts

Meet the speakers

Caroline Bushnell

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT, GFI

Caroline leads GFI’s corporate engagement team in their work with companies and investors across the globe to catalyze innovation and investment in alternative proteins. Prior to joining GFI, Caroline served as the Director of Marketing for Celestial Seasonings at The Hain Celestial Group. She has also worked at Moet Hennessy and Janus Capital Group. With over 15 years of experience in CPG brand management, finance, and consulting, she is deeply familiar with the food industry. Caroline also served as a governor-appointed member of the Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council. She is a graduate of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Christophe Schmitt

SENIOR EXPERT SCIENTIST, LEADER PLANT PROTEIN STRATEGIC NETWORK

Dr. Christophe Schmitt is Senior Expert Scientist leading the Plant Protein Strategic Network at Nestlé Research (Lausanne, Switzerland). He previously managed the Proteins research team and led the Nestlé R&D Protein Knowledge Network in Lausanne. He is developing sourcing strategy and supporting research and product applications using animal and plant proteins. He owns a PhD in Biotechnology and Food Processing from Nancy University (France). His main research interests are related to phase separation phenomena in food as well as protein aggregation upon physical treatments in dairy and plant matrices. He has published more than 100 papers or book chapters and recently co-edited a book on plant protein functionality in collaboration with numerous academic researchers worldwide. He is co-inventor of 70 patent applications supporting several Nestlé product launches and contributed to oral lectures in 60 international scientific conferences. He is member of the American Chemical Society, the American Oil Chemists’ Society and serves the advisory board of the Bridge2Food Global Plant-Based Foods & Proteins EcoSystem.

Rayan Kassem

ENGAGEMENT MANAGER ON FOOD AND AGRICULTURE TRANSFORMATION, WORLD BENCHMARKING ALLIANCE

Rayan holds the role of Engagement Manager at the World Benchmarking Alliance, focusing on food and agriculture companies. His role focuses on advocating corporate accountability and engaging stakeholders around the Food and Agriculture Benchmark findings. Rayan has a background in environmental sciences, is a youth advocate, a facilitator, and has experience in mobilizing multi-stakeholders in Global South countries towards environmental protection and policy reforms.