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We're excited to feature Willem Zimmerman, VP of Global Cocoa Trading and Sourcing at Barry Callebaut Group, on this episode of the Strong Source Podcast.

With extensive experience at Cargill and Barry Callebaut, Willem offers deep insights into the cocoa industry's challenges and guidance for its future.

In this episode, we are joined by Jan Dieleman, an industry leader and a great example for aspiring commodity traders. Jan is the President of Cargill Ocean Transportation, based in Geneva, and has managed roles in the U.S. and Europe during his more than 20 years with Cargill.

Across the maritime sector, Jan is a respected advocate for sustainable shipping, actively supporting reduced emissions, better vessel environmental performance, safer working conditions, and a more diverse workforce.

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Stephane Bernhard to the podcast! With an impressive resume spanning over years of experience in commodities trading.
Stephane began his illustrious career as a trader at Louis Dreyfus Company, where he spent 13 years mastering the intricacies of the industry. His leadership journey continued as he ascended to the role of Managing Director for Spain and Portugal. Later, he assumed the position of Managing Director at Invivo Trading before landing his current role as the Global Head of Trading at ETG Commodities.


Stephane's deep knowledge of macroeconomics shines through in this podcast episode as he delves into the complexities of the global trading landscape.

On this episode we sit down with Ben Tacken. Ben kicked off his career at Cargill, where he honed his skills over a decade before venturing into trading various commodities at Vattenfall. For the past 10 years, he has served as the Corporate Director of Purchase and Trading at DE Heus Animal Nutrition, showcasing his expertise in strategic procurement and trading operations. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights from a true industry expert.

On this episode we sit down with Boudewijn van Vliet. Boudewijn's has a fascinating journey in the world of commodities, starting from his early days at Cargill in Amsterdam and Geneva. After six years, he made a significant move to Citi, where he became Head of Freight Trading. Today, Boudewijn serves as a board member and non-executive director of two companies in Geneva, while also leading the charge as the founder of Advanced Plastic Purification International NV (APPI). APPI is revolutionizing plastic waste management with its large-scale sorting and recycling facility, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

In our fourth episode we are joined by Daan Vriens. Daan Vriens, a seasoned professional with a blend of Brabant and Rotterdam roots, embarked on a dynamic career journey that reflects his resilience and adaptability. Beginning at Cargill in Rotterdam, where he delved deep into the refining of tropical oils Daan swiftly rose through the ranks, exploring international opportunities in Singapore and then back to Rotterdam. After 16 years at Cargill, Daan made a bold leap, becoming CEO at Cefetra over a decade ago, a testament to his strategic vision and leadership prowess.