Chairman's Award 2024

Chairman's Award 2024 - Barry Callebaut

Chairman's Award 2024

In 1995, Barry Callebaut's founder, Klaus Jacobs, established the Chairman's Award to annually recognize employees worldwide for exceptional work performance and community engagement. Recipients embody Barry Callebaut's core values of customer focus, passion, entrepreneurship, team spirit, and integrity. On June 26, 2024, Chairman Patrick de Maeseneire and CEO Peter Feld presented the award in Zurich.

Our Chairman’s Award winners: watch the video of their journey!

Chairman's Award 2024 - Barry Callebaut

Congratulations to the 2024 winners!

Sindou Soumahoro - Barry Callebaut

Jutta Suchanek and Sindou Soumahoro

Mr. Sindou Soumahoro
Project Supervisor
Abidjan / Ivory Coast

Sindou Soumahoro exemplifies exceptional leadership in production, project management, and cost-saving initiatives. His unwavering commitment to maintaining factory Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) reflects his adherence to company values and dedication to excellence.

Sindou's contributions to enhancing GMP and reducing costs have significantly benefited SACO. His adept management of responsibilities across multiple factories has led to notable improvements in production efficiency, demonstrating his strategic acumen and effectiveness.

Beyond his professional achievements, Sindou is a dedicated member of the NGO SAOD, which focuses on aiding vulnerable individuals in Africa, including orphans, widows, the sick, and the disabled. Through social and humanitarian aid, SAOD strives to bring smiles to all of Africa. Sindou's active involvement in SAOD underscores his commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need.

His dual commitment to professional excellence and humanitarian efforts and his remarkable contributions to both his company and his community make Sindou a standout individual. His outstanding performance at SACO, coupled with his impactful social contributions through SAOD, exemplifies the values of dedication, compassion, and service.

Sarah Scott and Jutta Suchanek

Jutta Suchanek and Sarah Scott

Mrs. Sarah Scott
Buyer Ingredients
Chicago / U.S.A.

Sarah's passion for dogs and education is evident through her involvement with the French Bulldog Rescue Network (FBRN) and her son's school, Triumphant Love CDC. As a foster mom and microchip manager for FBRN, she plays a crucial role in rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming French Bulldogs. Her responsibilities include transporting dogs, arranging veterinary care, evaluating and documenting foster dogs, facilitating adoptions, and managing microchip records. Sarah’s deep affection for French Bulldogs originates from her early aspiration to become a veterinarian and the loss of her own French Bulldog in early 2023.

In the summer of 2023, Sarah's family adopted their current dog, Nash, from SNAFU Rescue, a smaller partner rescue based in Nebraska. Over the past six months, they have lovingly integrated Nash into their home, teaching him what it means to be part of a family.

Sarah is also a dedicated volunteer at her son's preschool, where she organizes the annual Scholastic Book Fair. This event raises essential funds for educational resources, and in 2023, Sarah's efforts resulted in record sales exceeding $1500. Her commitment to both animal rescue and education underscores her dedication to making a positive impact in her community and her ability to inspire those around her.

Roxanne Mae Villasoto Targa and Jutta Suchanek

Jutta Suchanek and Roxanne Mae Villasoto Targa

Mrs. Roxanne Mae Villasoto Targa
Product developer R&D
Mjölby / Sweden

Roxanne Mae Villasoto Targa exemplifies Barry Callebaut's core values with unwavering dedication and passion. Since joining ASM's R&D team in August 2022, she has consistently demonstrated remarkable customer focus, entrepreneurship, team spirit, and integrity. Her self-leadership and effective yet humble approach set an inspiring example, driving impactful business results and making her an outstanding candidate for the Chairman's Award.

Roxanne's journey from the Philippines to ASM highlights her global perspective and diverse skill set. Beginning as an R&D manager in the Philippines, she pursued further studies in France, Ireland, and Sweden. Despite organizational challenges, she seamlessly integrated into ASM, showcasing adaptability, professionalism, and a relentless drive for personal growth. Her contributions to product development have consistently exceeded expectations, propelling the company's growth through her dedication, curiosity, analytical skills, and creativity. Beyond her professional achievements, Roxanne empowers others through her heartfelt initiatives, such as creating personalized greeting cards and donating her hair for cancer wigs.

Roxanne's extensive involvement in the Filipino Catholic community includes roles as a fundraiser, secretary, photographer, and musician, supporting various charitable causes and disaster relief efforts. Her selfless and tireless contributions outside of work embody BC’s values of kindness, humility, and inclusion.

Matthew Nagel Barry Callebaut

Patrick De Maeseneire and Matthew Nagel

Mr. Matthew Nagel
Director, Sales, FM Central
Chicago / U.S.A.

While working in Brazil, Matt and his wife became deeply involved with several non-profits. His wife served on the Board of Directors for the American Society of São Paulo, while Matt organized and participated in events for young, orphaned children. Their commitment to these organizations continues even after their time in São Paulo, as they both still actively support and contribute to these causes.

In his spare time, Matt serves as a board member of the Red Shoe Society (RSS), a non-profit organization under the umbrella of the Ronald McDonald House Children’s Foundation. This independent American nonprofit is dedicated to creating, finding, and supporting programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children.

As a board member, Matt oversees the corporate partnership committee, ensuring that strategic principles are integrated into RSS fundraising efforts. He also enhances RSS members' understanding of the charity's mission to support family needs, empowering them to confidently speak and fundraise for Ronald McDonald House within their circles of influence, including employers, friends, and family members. Matt works with current and potential donors to expand support from new sources by developing tailored value propositions. Additionally, Matt is an active member of the Ronald McDonald House fundraising committee. He plays a crucial role in planning and participating in key special fundraising events such as the annual golf outing and gala.

Jo-Ee Gwee Barry Callebaut

Patrick De Maeseneire and Jo-Ee Gwee

Mrs. Jo-Ee Gwee
RTR Executive Finance
Petaling Jaya / Malaysia

Jo-Ee has made significant contributions as a rescue diver in prominent competitions such as the Malaysia Freediving Competition 2023 and the Freediving Mock Competition 2019. Her crucial role ensures the safety of athletes during their performances, and in emergencies.

Beyond her diving responsibilities, Jo-Ee is passionately involved in animal rescue. She manages an Instagram account (@hachiu_the_cat) to highlight her efforts, fostering seven orphaned kittens. She provides them with shelter, food, and comprehensive medical care, and once they are healthy and vaccinated, she facilitates their adoption. Her commitment extends to conducting thorough interviews with potential adopters, arranging visits to ensure compatibility, and performing follow-up checks to monitor the cats' well-being.

Jo-Ee's dedication to conservation is evident through her participation in the turtle conservation program on Perhentian Island including maintaining and protecting the turtle hatchery, conducting day and night patrols, assisting hatchlings, and releasing around 800-1000 baby turtles into the sea guiding them to deeper waters to reduce risks, and provided educational sessions on turtle conservation. Her commitment to voluntary community service and charitable causes is remarkable and she dedicates her time and resources to creating a positive community impact.

Georgina Gonzales Barry Callebaut

Georgina Gonzales and Peter Feld

Mrs. Georgina Gonzales
Indirect Spend Purchasing Manager
Monterrey / Mexico

Georgina and her family are devoted to supporting vulnerable individuals in their community throughout the year. They make significant efforts three to four times annually, providing essential items such as food, clothing, shoes, and daily necessities to those in need. Their primary focus is on assisting foreign nationals living in poverty or experiencing homelessness in their city, including individuals from Honduras, Haiti, El Salvador, and other countries who have migrated in search of a better life but find themselves struggling.

In addition to meeting basic needs, Georgina and her family support recycling efforts by collecting recyclable materials like plastic and aluminium and donating them to these individuals. This initiative helps recipients earn extra income through recycling, offering them a way to improve their financial situation.

Through these actions, Georgina and her family not only address immediate needs but also empower people to achieve a degree of financial independence, fostering hope and dignity among those they support. Their compassionate efforts significantly impact the lives of many, reflecting a deep commitment to helping others in their community.

Frederic Depypere Barry Callebaut

Patrick De Maeseneire and Frederic Depypere

Mr. Frederic Depypere
Technical Services Lead EMEA
Wieze / Belgium

Frederic has already earned recognition in his hometown for his outstanding contributions, and his commitment shines through his numerous volunteer activities, reflecting his unwavering dedication to serving others.
At his local vaccination center, Frederic devoted countless hours, often volunteering from opening until the last wave of vaccines. His consistent presence was invaluable, ensuring the center's smooth operation and contributing significantly to the community's health efforts.

As an active 'Rode Kruis' volunteer, Frederic played a pivotal role both in the field at various events and by training individuals in CPR, AED, and first aid. His dedication extended to organizing blood drives and advocating for plasma donations, highlighting their critical importance. By September 2022, he had made 125 plasma donations, along with numerous blood donations, underscoring his commitment to saving lives.

Frederic is also a 'Mooimaker,' committed to combating litter and illegal dumping in the Wieze region and his community as an environmental steward. During the ‘week of the volunteer,' he organized rides for residents of the local care center, enhancing their quality of life and he is a driving force behind organizing local, accessible events that foster community spirit and engagement. His initiatives bring people together, strengthening the bonds within his community.

Flavio de OLiveira

Flavio de OLiveira and Peter Feld

Mr. Flavio de OLiveira
Salesman
Sao Paulo / Brazil

Flavio is deeply committed to social work in Recife, collaborating closely with the organization Amigos do Bem. His dedication to helping others is evident through his active participation in various community support activities.

One of Flavio's key initiatives is delivering basic food baskets to needy communities, ensuring that families have essential supplies. He also regularly distributes soup on the streets of central Recife, providing warm meals to the homeless and others in need.
During the Christmas season, Flavio brings joy to children in impoverished areas by distributing gifts and dressing up as Santa Claus, making special appearances to spread holiday cheer. Additionally, he goes into underprivileged communities, where he dons a clown costume to entertain and bring smiles to children's faces, and also visits orphanages, where he spends time with the children, offering them comfort and joy. 

His involvement in these activities not only addresses immediate needs but also brings happiness and a sense of community to those who are often overlooked. Through his tireless efforts, he exemplifies the true spirit of generosity and community service, making a significant positive impact on the lives of many in Recife. His work with Amigos do Bem and his personal initiatives highlight his unwavering commitment to improving the well-being of the most vulnerable members of society.

Eloisa Clemente - Barry Callebaut

Patrick De Maeseneire and Eloisa Clemente

Mrs. Eloisa Clemente
HR Analyst
Extrema / Brazil

Eloísa, although living in Brazil, harbors a profound love for the needy children and families of Mozambique. In 2022, she journeyed to Mozambique as a missionary with the Comunidade Evangélica Deus é Fiel, delivering essential resources to families in Dondo. She also shared her musical talents by teaching guitar providing educational opportunities to children who otherwise lacked them. Through church campaigns, Eloísa has successfully raised funds to sustain these vital efforts. Recently, she made a heartfelt request for cash donations as a birthday gift, aiming to cover school tuition fees for children in Mozambique.

In Eloísa's own words: "This year I wanted to give a very special gift to the schools in Mozambique. For those who don't know, there is no public school there, which is why many parents are unable to pay the monthly fee. So, I wanted to send an amount to the Baptist church in Dondo, where I went in 2022, and leave this amount as a fund to cover the tuition fees for parents who are unable to pay, so that children are not left without the means of studying.”

Eloísa's unwavering dedication and impactful actions serve as a beacon of inspiration, encouraging others to care for and support one another. Her commitment is evident both in her professional life and her humanitarian endeavors.

Enzo Pino - Barry Callebaut

Enzo Pino and Peter Feld

Mr. Enzo Pino
Field Sales Manager
Milan / Italy

Enzo, a dedicated member of San Patrignano from Emilia-Romagna, Italy, has devoted over 40 years to providing free assistance to individuals grappling with addiction. Through his tireless efforts, San Patrignano has successfully supported over 26,000 individuals, boasting an impressive 72% recovery rate for program completers. Beyond aiding those in recovery, San Patrignano, under Enzo's guidance, proactively prevents addiction among youth, reaching 50,000 Italian students annually through its WeFree project.

In partnership with Cocoa Horizons, Enzo has created a meaningful alliance to overcome challenges and merge the realms of recovery and chocolate. His leadership and compassion were particularly evident following the catastrophic flooding in Emilia-Romagna in May 2023, where he orchestrated volunteer groups to assist in the cleanup of affected areas, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to his community.

Enzo's altruism extends into his personal time, as he tirelessly works to enhance individual lives and strengthen the broader community. His philosophy aligns with the philosophy, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime," as he empowers individuals for long-term success. Through his relentless efforts within San Patrignano and the chocolate industry, Enzo epitomizes the spirit of selfless dedication and transformative leadership. His work not only impacts those he directly assists but also inspires and uplifts the community as a whole.

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