Summary of Nominations

Caroline Westerik-Sikking is an experienced sustainability leader with expertise in responsible sourcing, sustainable supply chains, and integrating sustainability into core business strategy. Since 2011, she has focused on advancing responsible raw material value chains across multiple sectors.

Joining AAK in 2017, she has led the company’s global sustainable palm strategy. She now oversees AAK’s broader global sustainability and sustainable sourcing strategies, driving programmes that embed environmental and social responsibility across the organisation, cross functional and cross regional.

Caroline has been involved in RSPO since the early days and contributed to the different working groups Communications & Claims and Trade & Traceabiity. Since joining AAK in 2017, she served the RSPO Board as an Alternate and Substantive Member.

Having worked across the palm oil value chain provides first-hand insight into both the opportunities and challenges the sector faces. Connecting that with different stakeholder groups, fostering dialogue and consensus among companies, NGOs, industry partners, and other stakeholders supports her to impact RSPO's continued evolution.

Caroline’s earlier career includes extensive experience in international B2B marketing and sales, giving her a strong commercial understanding that complements her sustainability leadership. She holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Everything AAK does is about Making Better Happen™. AAK specialises in plant-based oils and fats, the value-adding ingredients in many products people love to consume. We make these products better tasting, healthier, and more sustainable. At the heart of AAK’s offer is customer co-development, combining our desire to understand what Making Better Happen™ means for each customer with the unique flexibility of our production assets and deep knowledge of products and industries, including Chocolate & Confectionery, Bakery, Dairy, Plant-based Foods, Special Nutrition, Foodservice, and Personal Care. Our 4,000 employees support our close collaboration with customers through 25 regional sales offices, 16 dedicated Customer Innovation Centers, and with the support of more than 19 production facilities. Listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and headquartered in Malmö, Sweden, AAK has been Making Better Happen™ for 150 years.

AAK was founding member of RSPO and has been an active member of the Board and supporter of the RSPO ever since. 

Laila Wilfred is a sustainability leader with 17 years’ experience across the palm oil sector, with expertise in responsible sourcing, supply chain due diligence, certification, human rights, stakeholder engagement, climate, smallholder inclusion, and communications.

As a Sustainability Director for Cargill’s Agriculture & Trading Enterprise in APAC, she leads strategic sustainability initiatives with suppliers, commercial teams, customers, NGOs, and industry platforms to advance responsible, deforestation-free, and resilient supply chains. Her experience covers the key areas of the palm oil value chain, including processors and traders, growers, refiners, giving her practical insight into both sector realities and RSPO implementation challenges.

Apart from serving as the RSPO Alternate Board member, and has previously served in RSPO working groups including Biodiversity and High Conservation Value, and Greenhouse Gas. She is now on the RSPO Human Rights Working group. Laila brings a balanced, implementation-focused perspective grounded in collaboration, credible assurance, protection of forests and human rights, smallholder inclusion, and pragmatic solutions to strengthen trust in certified sustainable palm oil.

Cargill is committed to providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. Sitting at the heart of the supply chain, we partner with farmers and customers to source, make and deliver products that are vital for living. 

Our 155K+ employees innovate with purpose, providing customers with life’s essentials so businesses can grow, communities prosper, and consumers live well. With 160 years of experience as a family company, we look ahead while remaining true to our values. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing - today and for generations to come. For more information, visit https://www.cargill.com/home.