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Speakers 2026
The Wellbeing Economy Forum brings together visionary leaders, experts, and changemakers dedicated to shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future.
From inspiring keynotes to engaging panel discussions, our speakers bring diverse perspectives from policy, academia, business, and civil society. Each brings valuable insight into how we can foster wellbeing-driven economies that prioritise people and the planet.
Below, you’ll find the distinguished speakers joining us at the Forum. This list will be updated as additional speakers are confirmed. Click on their profiles to learn more about their work and contributions.
Halla Tómasdóttir
The President of Iceland
Halla earned her BSc in business studies, specialising in management and human resources, from Auburn University at Montgomery, USA, in 1993, and her MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in 1995. Later she pursued doctoral studies at Cranfield University, UK, where she carried out research in leadership studies.
Halla worked in human resources management and organizational development at M&M/Mars and Pepsi Cola. After ten years abroad she moved back to Iceland, where she became director of human resources at The Icelandic Broadcasting Corporation. She joined the founding team of Reykjavík University in 1999, where she founded and led the Executive & Continuing Education department and Auður í krafti kvenna, a women entrepreneurship and empowerment project. She also developed and taught courses in organizational behavior, change leadership and entrepreneurship to students of all ages.
In 2006 Halla became the first female CEO of the Iceland Chamber of Commerce. She left in 2007 to co-found a female-led investment company, Auður Capital, with the objective to introduce profit with principles in the world of finance. She was one of nine founders of Mauraþúfan (Anthill), which held the National Assembly of 2009 that addressed Iceland’s future after the financial collapse of 2008 and she organised and chaired WE2015, a global dialogue on closing the gender gap in 2015.
In 2018-24 Halla was the CEO and Chief Change Catalyst of The B Team, a global non-profit organisation, that advocates for responsible business practices and collaboration between government, the private sector and citizens in addressing major challenges such as climate change and inequality. Halla Tómasdóttir took office as president of Iceland on 1 August 2024.
Halla has received awards from the Association of Businesswomen in Iceland, and for teaching at the MBA level, as well as the equality award of her hometown of Kópavogur; and in 2009 she received, together with Kristín Pétursdóttir, the Women’s Initiative Award from Cartier, McKinsey and INSEAD. She has delivered keynotes around the world, including TED lectures (see here), and written articles and discussed responsible leadership in media such as TIME, Fortune and CNN. In 2023 Halla published the book Hugrekki til að hafa áhrif (Courage to catalyze impact). She has served on many boards, such as Veritas Capital, Ölgerðin consumer products company, the Hjalli Model for gender-equal education, Reykjavík University, the software company Calidris and the Leifur Eiríksson Foundation.
Halla earned her BSc in business studies, specialising in management and human resources, from Auburn University at Montgomery, USA, in 1993, and her MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in 1995. Later she pursued doctoral studies at Cranfield University, UK, where she carried out research in leadership studies.
Halla worked in human resources management and organizational development at M&M/Mars and Pepsi Cola. After ten years abroad she moved back to Iceland, where she became director of human resources at The Icelandic Broadcasting Corporation. She joined the founding team of Reykjavík University in 1999, where she founded and led the Executive & Continuing Education department and Auður í krafti kvenna, a women entrepreneurship and empowerment project. She also developed and taught courses in organizational behavior, change leadership and entrepreneurship to students of all ages.
In 2006 Halla became the first female CEO of the Iceland Chamber of Commerce. She left in 2007 to co-found a female-led investment company, Auður Capital, with the objective to introduce profit with principles in the world of finance. She was one of nine founders of Mauraþúfan (Anthill), which held the National Assembly of 2009 that addressed Iceland’s future after the financial collapse of 2008 and she organised and chaired WE2015, a global dialogue on closing the gender gap in 2015.
In 2018-24 Halla was the CEO and Chief Change Catalyst of The B Team, a global non-profit organisation, that advocates for responsible business practices and collaboration between government, the private sector and citizens in addressing major challenges such as climate change and inequality. Halla Tómasdóttir took office as president of Iceland on 1 August 2024.
Halla has received awards from the Association of Businesswomen in Iceland, and for teaching at the MBA level, as well as the equality award of her hometown of Kópavogur; and in 2009 she received, together with Kristín Pétursdóttir, the Women’s Initiative Award from Cartier, McKinsey and INSEAD. She has delivered keynotes around the world, including TED lectures (see here), and written articles and discussed responsible leadership in media such as TIME, Fortune and CNN. In 2023 Halla published the book Hugrekki til að hafa áhrif (Courage to catalyze impact). She has served on many boards, such as Veritas Capital, Ölgerðin consumer products company, the Hjalli Model for gender-equal education, Reykjavík University, the software company Calidris and the Leifur Eiríksson Foundation.
Nicola Sturgeon
Former First Minister of Scotland
Nicola Sturgeon was Scotland's longest serving First Minister and the first woman to hold the office. She led Scotland through Brexit and the Covid pandemic, working with five UK Prime Ministers during her time in office.
Nicola studied law at the University of Glasgow, and worked as a solicitor before entering frontline politics in 1999 as one of the inaugural members of the re-established Scottish Parliament. Before being elected First Minister, Nicola was the Deputy First Minister and Scotland's Health Secretary. She also helped lead the Yes campaign in the 2014 independence referendum. As leader of the SNP she steered the party to a position of electoral dominance in Scotland, whilst also establishing herself as a dedicated representative of Scotland internationally, and a highly influential voice on issues such as climate change, wellbeing, gender equality and human rights. Her best-selling autobiography, Frankly, was published in August 2025.
Nicola Sturgeon was Scotland's longest serving First Minister and the first woman to hold the office. She led Scotland through Brexit and the Covid pandemic, working with five UK Prime Ministers during her time in office.
Nicola studied law at the University of Glasgow, and worked as a solicitor before entering frontline politics in 1999 as one of the inaugural members of the re-established Scottish Parliament. Before being elected First Minister, Nicola was the Deputy First Minister and Scotland's Health Secretary. She also helped lead the Yes campaign in the 2014 independence referendum. As leader of the SNP she steered the party to a position of electoral dominance in Scotland, whilst also establishing herself as a dedicated representative of Scotland internationally, and a highly influential voice on issues such as climate change, wellbeing, gender equality and human rights. Her best-selling autobiography, Frankly, was published in August 2025.
Knut-Inge Klepp
Professor of Nutrition, University of Oslo and Scientific Coordinator of JA PreventNCD, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Klepp is the Scientific Coordinator of JA PreventNCD at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) and Professor, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo. He was previously Executive Director for Division of Mental and Physical Health, NIPH and before that Director General of Public Health at the Norwegian Directorate of Health. He has served as Coordinator and WP-leader of several EU DG Research projects, and he is Past President of the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity. Klepp has published more than 300 scientific journal articles, primarily related to adolescent health promotion, NCD prevention and evaluation of public health measures.
Klepp is the Scientific Coordinator of JA PreventNCD at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) and Professor, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo. He was previously Executive Director for Division of Mental and Physical Health, NIPH and before that Director General of Public Health at the Norwegian Directorate of Health. He has served as Coordinator and WP-leader of several EU DG Research projects, and he is Past President of the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity. Klepp has published more than 300 scientific journal articles, primarily related to adolescent health promotion, NCD prevention and evaluation of public health measures.
Chris Brown
Head of the WHO European Office for Investment for Health and Development
Chris Brown is Head of the WHO European Office for Investment for Health and Development in Venice, Italy. She leads a multidisciplinary team supporting European health networks, national authorities, and partners to implement social, economic, gender and rights- based policies for health and health equity.
Chris studied psychology at university with post graduate qualifications in management and in public health. She spent 10 years working in health service commissioning and provider roles for regional and national health authorities in England before moving to work with international organizations where she has supported over 30 governments globally to develop policies for sustainable livelihoods, public health, and social inequities.
Chris currently leads the WHO European Regional Health Equity Status Initiative which provides policy makers with innovative and adaptable solutions to invest for health and leave no one behind. In the context of European recovery and resilience priorities, she is also leading the WHO European Well-being Economy Initiative which is convening central banks, health, finance and economic sectors around new economic policies and approaches to investing in well-being and health equity.
Chris is one of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Global Leaders in Health Equity and a visiting Professor at Glasgow Caledonian University in the United Kingdom.
Chris Brown is Head of the WHO European Office for Investment for Health and Development in Venice, Italy. She leads a multidisciplinary team supporting European health networks, national authorities, and partners to implement social, economic, gender and rights- based policies for health and health equity.
Chris studied psychology at university with post graduate qualifications in management and in public health. She spent 10 years working in health service commissioning and provider roles for regional and national health authorities in England before moving to work with international organizations where she has supported over 30 governments globally to develop policies for sustainable livelihoods, public health, and social inequities.
Chris currently leads the WHO European Regional Health Equity Status Initiative which provides policy makers with innovative and adaptable solutions to invest for health and leave no one behind. In the context of European recovery and resilience priorities, she is also leading the WHO European Well-being Economy Initiative which is convening central banks, health, finance and economic sectors around new economic policies and approaches to investing in well-being and health equity.
Chris is one of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Global Leaders in Health Equity and a visiting Professor at Glasgow Caledonian University in the United Kingdom.
André Hoffmann
Vice Chairman of Roche Holding AG, the family business and co-chair of the World Economic Forum
André Hoffmann is a businessman, environmentalist, and a passionate advocate
for business as a force for good.
André is Vice Chairman of Roche Holding AG, the family business and co-chair of the
World Economic Forum. He also sits on the Board of SystemIQ, and is President of W.A.
de Vigier Stiftung as well as Vice-chairman of the board of the Venture Foundation .
André also has a distinguished career in nature conservation and sustainability. He is
President of Fondation Tour du Valat. He is the Chairman of Capitals Coalition, and
serves on the boards of B-Team , Peace Parcs and the Givaudan Foundation.
He is also Founding Member and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Hoffmann
Global Institute in Business and Society at INSEAD.
André Hoffmann is a businessman, environmentalist, and a passionate advocate
for business as a force for good.
André is Vice Chairman of Roche Holding AG, the family business and co-chair of the
World Economic Forum. He also sits on the Board of SystemIQ, and is President of W.A.
de Vigier Stiftung as well as Vice-chairman of the board of the Venture Foundation .
André also has a distinguished career in nature conservation and sustainability. He is
President of Fondation Tour du Valat. He is the Chairman of Capitals Coalition, and
serves on the boards of B-Team , Peace Parcs and the Givaudan Foundation.
He is also Founding Member and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Hoffmann
Global Institute in Business and Society at INSEAD.
Sandrine Dixson-Declève
Honourary President/Global Ambassador, the Club of Rome & Executive Chair of Earth4All
Sandrine Dixson-Declève is an environmental scientist and an international climate change, sustainable development, sustainable finance, and complex system thought leader. She is Honorary President of the Club of Rome and Executive Chair of Earth4All, dividing her time between the Club of Rome, advising on non-Executive corporate and academic Boards, lecturing, and facilitating difficult conversations. She is a TED global speaker and was recognised by Reuters in 2023 as one of 25 global female trailblazers and by GreenBiz as one of the 30 most influential women across the globe driving change in the low carbon economy and promoting green business.
Sandrine Dixson-Declève is an environmental scientist and an international climate change, sustainable development, sustainable finance, and complex system thought leader. She is Honorary President of the Club of Rome and Executive Chair of Earth4All, dividing her time between the Club of Rome, advising on non-Executive corporate and academic Boards, lecturing, and facilitating difficult conversations. She is a TED global speaker and was recognised by Reuters in 2023 as one of 25 global female trailblazers and by GreenBiz as one of the 30 most influential women across the globe driving change in the low carbon economy and promoting green business.
Caroline Costongs
Director of EuroHealthNet
Caroline Costongs is Director of EuroHealthNet, the European Partnership for improving health, social equity and wellbeing, based in Brussels. Caroline leads the Partnership’s cooperation of 80+ organisations, many of which are national public health institutes. She manages its multi-disciplinary team working on European Union and (sub)national policy, research and capacity building addressing health inequalities and the social, environmental and commercial determinants of health. She takes forward EuroHealthNet’s MoU with WHO Europe, is active in various EU policy advocacy and WHO fora and advisory boards. Caroline is an advisory member for the European Health Forum Gastein, a member of the ICC - International Council for the European Public Health Conference and supports the Interest Group on health inequalities, risk factors and prevention in the European Parliament. In 2003, Caroline had a leading role in setting up EuroHealthNet as a not-for-profit association. She has a strong international background in public health and health promotion and has a MSc in Public Health from the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands.
Caroline Costongs is Director of EuroHealthNet, the European Partnership for improving health, social equity and wellbeing, based in Brussels. Caroline leads the Partnership’s cooperation of 80+ organisations, many of which are national public health institutes. She manages its multi-disciplinary team working on European Union and (sub)national policy, research and capacity building addressing health inequalities and the social, environmental and commercial determinants of health. She takes forward EuroHealthNet’s MoU with WHO Europe, is active in various EU policy advocacy and WHO fora and advisory boards. Caroline is an advisory member for the European Health Forum Gastein, a member of the ICC - International Council for the European Public Health Conference and supports the Interest Group on health inequalities, risk factors and prevention in the European Parliament. In 2003, Caroline had a leading role in setting up EuroHealthNet as a not-for-profit association. She has a strong international background in public health and health promotion and has a MSc in Public Health from the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands.
Sandra Gallina
Director-General for Health and Food Safety
of the European Commission
Sandra Gallina joined the European Commission in 1988. She is today Director-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE).
Before joining DG SANTE, between 2018 and 2020, she was Deputy Director-General for TRADE.
Between 2014 and 2018, she was Director for DG TRADE Directorate D “Sustainable Development; Economic Partnership Agreements - African, Caribbean and Pacific; Agri-food and Fisheries”. Sandra Gallina was also the EU chief negotiator for the EU-MERCOSUR Free Trade Agreement.
Between 2001 and 2009, she was the EU Lead Negotiator for Non-Agricultural Market Access in the WTO Doha Round and in that capacity, she defined and presented EU policy for the Doha Development Agenda on non-agricultural market access negotiations.
Before joining DG TRADE, she worked in the Directorate General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD) at the end of the 1990s.
of the European Commission
Sandra Gallina joined the European Commission in 1988. She is today Director-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE).
Before joining DG SANTE, between 2018 and 2020, she was Deputy Director-General for TRADE.
Between 2014 and 2018, she was Director for DG TRADE Directorate D “Sustainable Development; Economic Partnership Agreements - African, Caribbean and Pacific; Agri-food and Fisheries”. Sandra Gallina was also the EU chief negotiator for the EU-MERCOSUR Free Trade Agreement.
Between 2001 and 2009, she was the EU Lead Negotiator for Non-Agricultural Market Access in the WTO Doha Round and in that capacity, she defined and presented EU policy for the Doha Development Agenda on non-agricultural market access negotiations.
Before joining DG TRADE, she worked in the Directorate General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD) at the end of the 1990s.
Anna Gilmore
Professor of Public Health, University of Bath and Co-Director, Centre for 21st Century Public Health
A clinician by background, Anna Gilmore is Professor of Public Health, Co-Director of the Centre for 21st Century Public Health and founding Director of the award winning Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRG) at the University of Bath which established the ground-breaking knowledge exchange platform www.TobaccoTactics.org under her leadership. She currently leads the Local Health Global Profits consortium, one of just four under UK Research and Innovation’s Population Health Improvement UK initiative.
Anna’s work focuses on the commercial determinants of health including corporate influence on policy and science, and evaluates the impacts of public policies on health. It has led to substantial policy impacts from local to global level recognised through numerous awards including the WHO World No Tobacco Day Medal (2008), Public Health Advocacy Institute Award (2009), the inaugural European Health Leadership Award (2019) for ‘pioneering change makers’ and a Special Recognition Award from the WHO Director General (2021). Anna has over 350 publications, is a member of various international expert groups including the WHO’s international expert group on the Commercial Determinants of Health.
A clinician by background, Anna Gilmore is Professor of Public Health, Co-Director of the Centre for 21st Century Public Health and founding Director of the award winning Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRG) at the University of Bath which established the ground-breaking knowledge exchange platform www.TobaccoTactics.org under her leadership. She currently leads the Local Health Global Profits consortium, one of just four under UK Research and Innovation’s Population Health Improvement UK initiative.
Anna’s work focuses on the commercial determinants of health including corporate influence on policy and science, and evaluates the impacts of public policies on health. It has led to substantial policy impacts from local to global level recognised through numerous awards including the WHO World No Tobacco Day Medal (2008), Public Health Advocacy Institute Award (2009), the inaugural European Health Leadership Award (2019) for ‘pioneering change makers’ and a Special Recognition Award from the WHO Director General (2021). Anna has over 350 publications, is a member of various international expert groups including the WHO’s international expert group on the Commercial Determinants of Health.
Jesper Brodin
Former CEO, Ingka Group I IKEA; Chair, The B Team
"Together we have a decade to prevent irreversible damage from climate change to the home we all share, the planet. I joined The B Team to spark real change–we need to take a positive, proactive and collaborative approach to turn the climate challenge into scalable solutions–together. It’s good business to be a good business and the time for talk is over. We will act, now."
Jesper is the Chair of The B Team and a Management Board Member of Ingka Group | IKEA. Previously, he served as CEO of Ingka Group I IKEA from 2017 to 2025. With decades of experience embedding sustainability and equality into business practices, Jesper’s leadership is central to The B Team’s efforts to catalyze business action to address the biggest challenges facing people and the planet. Additionally, he is vice-chair of the UN Global Compact Board and serves on the global board of directors of the World Resources Institute (WRI).
"Together we have a decade to prevent irreversible damage from climate change to the home we all share, the planet. I joined The B Team to spark real change–we need to take a positive, proactive and collaborative approach to turn the climate challenge into scalable solutions–together. It’s good business to be a good business and the time for talk is over. We will act, now."
Jesper is the Chair of The B Team and a Management Board Member of Ingka Group | IKEA. Previously, he served as CEO of Ingka Group I IKEA from 2017 to 2025. With decades of experience embedding sustainability and equality into business practices, Jesper’s leadership is central to The B Team’s efforts to catalyze business action to address the biggest challenges facing people and the planet. Additionally, he is vice-chair of the UN Global Compact Board and serves on the global board of directors of the World Resources Institute (WRI).
Olivier De Schutter
UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights
Olivier De Schutter was appointed as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights by the UN Human Rights Council in March 2020. An academic specialised in economic and social rights, he is also currently a member of the Council of Europe’s European Committee of Social Rights and co-chair of the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food).
In his role as UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Olivier presented a groundbreaking report to the UN Human Rights Council in 2024 on Eradicating Poverty Beyond Growth; challenging conventional poverty reduction strategies and arguing for a new, post-growth approach to tackling poverty. In his presentation of the report, De Schutter announced his intention to convene a broad coalition of actors to co-create a Roadmap for Eradicating Poverty Beyond Growth – a catalogue of practical policy options for tackling poverty than prioritise human wellbeing over GDP growth. The Roadmap will be presented to the UN in summer 2026.
Olivier previously served as the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food from 2008 to 2014, and as a member of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights between 2015 and 2020. Prior to those appointments, he was Secretary-General of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).
Olivier De Schutter was appointed as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights by the UN Human Rights Council in March 2020. An academic specialised in economic and social rights, he is also currently a member of the Council of Europe’s European Committee of Social Rights and co-chair of the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food).
In his role as UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Olivier presented a groundbreaking report to the UN Human Rights Council in 2024 on Eradicating Poverty Beyond Growth; challenging conventional poverty reduction strategies and arguing for a new, post-growth approach to tackling poverty. In his presentation of the report, De Schutter announced his intention to convene a broad coalition of actors to co-create a Roadmap for Eradicating Poverty Beyond Growth – a catalogue of practical policy options for tackling poverty than prioritise human wellbeing over GDP growth. The Roadmap will be presented to the UN in summer 2026.
Olivier previously served as the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food from 2008 to 2014, and as a member of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights between 2015 and 2020. Prior to those appointments, he was Secretary-General of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).
Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir
Mayor of Reykjavik
Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir is a prominent Icelandic politician and the current Mayor of
Reykjavík. She holds a Master of Science degree in Food and Nutrition from the
University of Gothenburg, Sweden, an Executive MBA from Reykjavík University, and a
diploma in positive psychology from the University of Iceland.
Before entering politics, Heiða served as the Director of Food and Nutrition services at
the National University Hospital from 2000 to 2015. She has also held leadership roles
in various organizations, including President of the MS Society of Iceland, President of
the Nordic MS Societies, and President of the Iceland Nutrition Society. Her political
career began with the Social Democratic Alliance, where she chaired the Women´s
Movement from 2013 to 2015. She became a city councillor in Reykjavík in 2015 and
has since led key initiatives such as the Reykjavík Violence Prevention Committee and
the Reykjavík Welfare Council. In February 2017, she was elected Vice Chairman of the
Social Democratic Alliance, a role she held until 2022.
On February 21, 2025, Heiða was appointed Mayor of Reykjavík as part of a coalition
between the Social Democratic Party, the Pirate Party, the Socialist Party, the People´s
Party, and the Left-Green Party.The coalition focuses on enhancing basic services,
improving quality of life, and expanding housing development for residents of all ages.
Throughout her career, Heiða has been a strong advocate for social welfare, gender
equality, and community development, consistently working to improve the lives of
Reykjavík´s residents.
Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir is a prominent Icelandic politician and the current Mayor of
Reykjavík. She holds a Master of Science degree in Food and Nutrition from the
University of Gothenburg, Sweden, an Executive MBA from Reykjavík University, and a
diploma in positive psychology from the University of Iceland.
Before entering politics, Heiða served as the Director of Food and Nutrition services at
the National University Hospital from 2000 to 2015. She has also held leadership roles
in various organizations, including President of the MS Society of Iceland, President of
the Nordic MS Societies, and President of the Iceland Nutrition Society. Her political
career began with the Social Democratic Alliance, where she chaired the Women´s
Movement from 2013 to 2015. She became a city councillor in Reykjavík in 2015 and
has since led key initiatives such as the Reykjavík Violence Prevention Committee and
the Reykjavík Welfare Council. In February 2017, she was elected Vice Chairman of the
Social Democratic Alliance, a role she held until 2022.
On February 21, 2025, Heiða was appointed Mayor of Reykjavík as part of a coalition
between the Social Democratic Party, the Pirate Party, the Socialist Party, the People´s
Party, and the Left-Green Party.The coalition focuses on enhancing basic services,
improving quality of life, and expanding housing development for residents of all ages.
Throughout her career, Heiða has been a strong advocate for social welfare, gender
equality, and community development, consistently working to improve the lives of
Reykjavík´s residents.
Hanna Birna Kristjánsdóttir
Co-founder & Chair of the Reykjavík Global Forum & Senior Adviser on Women´s Leadership, UN Women, HQ NY
Co-founder & Chair of the Reykjavík Global Forum & Senior Adviser on Women´s Leadership, UN Women, HQ NY
Co-founder & Chair of the Reykjavík Global Forum & Senior Adviser on Women´s Leadership, UN Women, HQ NY
Betina Bergmann Madsen
Team lead of the Strategic Procurement and Food, Children and Youth Department, Municipality of Copenhagen
Betina Bergmann Madsen is the team leader of the food procurement office for the municipality of Copenhagen, Denmark. Ms. Madsen is a seasoned expert in the procurement of sustainable and organic food for Copenhagen public institutional food service. Since 2001 Copenhagen has had a goal of reaching 90% organic for public meals and has an innovative and ambitious food strategy including sustainable public procurement. This strategy is part of Copenhagen’s commitment to achieving the SDGs. Her commitment to systemic thinking and implementation of sustainable food procurement extends beyond the municipal level.
Ms. Madsen works closely with Denmark’s Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries and Ministry of Environment to implement requirements for green tenders (bids) and is the coordinator of a national public food procurement network. The work of the network includes incorporation of the SDGs into the tender documents and follow up documentation and evaluation of results. At the regional European Union (EU) level she participates in several projects including building a regional network of public food purchasers. In 2021 she was selected as a UN Food System Champion in the context of the UN Food Systems Summit and helped form a School Meals Coalition that came out of the summit. She works closely with WHO Europe on guidance for public procurement officers as an author of “How together we can make the world’s most healthy and sustainable public food procurement”, has a FAO Consultancy Roster (Affiliate Workforce) as a Technical Specialist - Sustainable Public Food Procurement until 2028 and was a member of an EU Expert Group developing a legislative framework for the EU Farm to Fork Strategy.
Betina Bergmann Madsen is the team leader of the food procurement office for the municipality of Copenhagen, Denmark. Ms. Madsen is a seasoned expert in the procurement of sustainable and organic food for Copenhagen public institutional food service. Since 2001 Copenhagen has had a goal of reaching 90% organic for public meals and has an innovative and ambitious food strategy including sustainable public procurement. This strategy is part of Copenhagen’s commitment to achieving the SDGs. Her commitment to systemic thinking and implementation of sustainable food procurement extends beyond the municipal level.
Ms. Madsen works closely with Denmark’s Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries and Ministry of Environment to implement requirements for green tenders (bids) and is the coordinator of a national public food procurement network. The work of the network includes incorporation of the SDGs into the tender documents and follow up documentation and evaluation of results. At the regional European Union (EU) level she participates in several projects including building a regional network of public food purchasers. In 2021 she was selected as a UN Food System Champion in the context of the UN Food Systems Summit and helped form a School Meals Coalition that came out of the summit. She works closely with WHO Europe on guidance for public procurement officers as an author of “How together we can make the world’s most healthy and sustainable public food procurement”, has a FAO Consultancy Roster (Affiliate Workforce) as a Technical Specialist - Sustainable Public Food Procurement until 2028 and was a member of an EU Expert Group developing a legislative framework for the EU Farm to Fork Strategy.
Tony Holohan
Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for One Health
Dr Tony Holohan is a physician and senior public health and health system leader based in Dublin with more than three decades’ experience at the interface of Government, the health service, academia and international partners. He served as Chief Medical Officer for Ireland from 2008 to 2022, acting as principal medical adviser to Government on medical and public health matters. During the COVID 19 pandemic he led Ireland’s public health response, chairing the National Public Health Emergency Team and becoming a household name nationally through sustained public communication and decision support. He is Director of the UCD One Health Centre and Adjunct Full Professor of Public Health at University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. The UCD One Health Centre was established in 2023 and designated a WHO Collaborating Centre on One Health in 2024. He provides strategic and operational leadership for this cross university platform focused on integrated human, animal, plant and environmental health, linking academic capability to real world implementation needs through partnerships with government, agencies, local authorities, professional bodies and civil society. His work is driven by a belief that the condition of human, animal, plant and environmental health is shaped by the way societies govern, regulate and invest and by how everyday systems such as food, housing, work, transport and local environments are designed and run, including whether these systems operate within environmental limits. His approach is grounded in fairness and equity and aligns with the principles of the well being economy, where progress is judged by wellbeing and sustainability rather than economic output alone. Alongside his academic leadership, he has undertaken a range of consultancy and advisory assignments with WHO, supporting One Health related education, preparedness and health system capability building. He serves on the boards of An Taisce, Ireland’s National Trust, and the Irish Hospice Foundation and he chairs FutureNeuro, the Research Ireland Centre for Translational Brain Science.
Dr Tony Holohan is a physician and senior public health and health system leader based in Dublin with more than three decades’ experience at the interface of Government, the health service, academia and international partners. He served as Chief Medical Officer for Ireland from 2008 to 2022, acting as principal medical adviser to Government on medical and public health matters. During the COVID 19 pandemic he led Ireland’s public health response, chairing the National Public Health Emergency Team and becoming a household name nationally through sustained public communication and decision support. He is Director of the UCD One Health Centre and Adjunct Full Professor of Public Health at University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. The UCD One Health Centre was established in 2023 and designated a WHO Collaborating Centre on One Health in 2024. He provides strategic and operational leadership for this cross university platform focused on integrated human, animal, plant and environmental health, linking academic capability to real world implementation needs through partnerships with government, agencies, local authorities, professional bodies and civil society. His work is driven by a belief that the condition of human, animal, plant and environmental health is shaped by the way societies govern, regulate and invest and by how everyday systems such as food, housing, work, transport and local environments are designed and run, including whether these systems operate within environmental limits. His approach is grounded in fairness and equity and aligns with the principles of the well being economy, where progress is judged by wellbeing and sustainability rather than economic output alone. Alongside his academic leadership, he has undertaken a range of consultancy and advisory assignments with WHO, supporting One Health related education, preparedness and health system capability building. He serves on the boards of An Taisce, Ireland’s National Trust, and the Irish Hospice Foundation and he chairs FutureNeuro, the Research Ireland Centre for Translational Brain Science.
Harry Rutter
Co-director of the University of Bath Centre for 21st Century Public Health
Harry is co-director of the University of Bath Centre for 21st Century Public Health; chair of the JANCD External Expert Advisory Board, and of the Welsh Government Healthy Weight Healthy Wales Strategic Overview Group. He co-chaired (with Prof Dame Theresa Marteau) the Lancet Commission on population health post-COVID-19, which addresses the interactions between non-communicable disease, infectious disease pandemics, and environmental degradation; and is a Commissioner on the EASL Lancet Commission on liver disease in Europe. He was the founder director of the National Obesity Observatory for England, led the establishment of the National Child Measurement Programme in England, and is a member of the steering group for the WHO Europe Child Obesity Surveillance Initiative. He has performed a range of advisory roles to the Scottish, Welsh and UK health systems, and to the World Health Organization at both European and global levels. He was co-chair of the UK Government SAGE Environmental and Modelling subgroup and attended main SAGE during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Harry is co-director of the University of Bath Centre for 21st Century Public Health; chair of the JANCD External Expert Advisory Board, and of the Welsh Government Healthy Weight Healthy Wales Strategic Overview Group. He co-chaired (with Prof Dame Theresa Marteau) the Lancet Commission on population health post-COVID-19, which addresses the interactions between non-communicable disease, infectious disease pandemics, and environmental degradation; and is a Commissioner on the EASL Lancet Commission on liver disease in Europe. He was the founder director of the National Obesity Observatory for England, led the establishment of the National Child Measurement Programme in England, and is a member of the steering group for the WHO Europe Child Obesity Surveillance Initiative. He has performed a range of advisory roles to the Scottish, Welsh and UK health systems, and to the World Health Organization at both European and global levels. He was co-chair of the UK Government SAGE Environmental and Modelling subgroup and attended main SAGE during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Wellbeing Economy Forum is an event that forms part of JA PreventNCD. JA PreventNCD is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor HADEA can be held responsible for them.
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