Leon is a successful team leader served multi-national companies in the dairy and food segment for more than 20 years, gained practical experience in different areas of commercial operation, process technology and engineering, multi million dollars CAPEX project management etc, he has in depth understanding of the dairy industry both in China and New Zealand. Being a Chinese Kiwi, Leon has great interests in building stronger business ties between the two countries, advising in capital investment, trade and market assessment, he successfully helped the establishment of Yashili New Zealand Ltd. in Pokeno also another dairy company in the recent years.
Leon is currently leading Danone Nutricia NZ, previously held senior management roles in Winston Nutritional, Yashili New Zealand, Anhyro China, Tetra Pak China. He also worked for New Zealand Dairy Board, Kiwi Northland Dairy, Nestle China in his career. Leon holds a master’s degree in dairy technology from Massey University and EMBA from Fudan University, he is in the executive committee of a couple of organisations and also an active member of New Zealand Asian Leaders and Institute of Directors New Zealand.
Buying a ginger beer bug 30 years ago, Chris started out brewing ginger beer at home and from small beginnings grew the Southern Hemispheres most successful organic drinks brands, Phoenix Organics. Since selling Phoenix in 2005, he has maintained his footing clearly in the sustainability space.
• He has invested and supported a number of ethical business start-ups. He is currently a director of Kokako Coffee.
• He was the founding Chairman of the Sustainable Business Network for 10 years
• He has served on the Board of BioGro for 10 years- 6 years as the Chair
• He has also been a councillor for Soil and Health
• I have had a number of roles with Fairtrade Australia New Zealand
• Currently on the Boards of both OANZ (Chair) and the Organic Exporters
In 2010, he co-founded All Good Organics with business partners Simon Coley and Matt Morrison. They launched New Zealand’s first Fairtrade and Fairtrade Organic bananas in February 2010.
In 2012, they launched Karma Cola, a Fairtrade and Organic soft drink company that sources and uses real cola nut from Sierra Leone. From there, The Karma Cola Foundation was established to support the cola nut growers and their communities in Sierra Leone.
Chris Lijzenga is the sustainability advisor at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.
He studied a masters of Sustainable Entrepreneurship at the University of Groningen and has a background in circular economy, especially in the apparel industry.
At NZTE he advises companies on how they can be more socially and environmentally responsible, supporting the transition from ‘volume to value’ goods for the long term growth of NZ.