Mentor list / Mentor bio
Overview
Feike Sijbesma was CEO & Chair of Royal DSM (2007-2020), overseeing a transformation from a bulk-chemicals firm to a globally respected nutrition, health, and materials sciences innovator. During his 13-year tenure, he executed 25 major acquisitions, divested traditional petrochemical businesses, and initiated partnerships with the UN World Food Programme. DSM's market value more than tripled.
Feike is currently Chair of the Supervisory Board of Royal Philips (since 2021) and Honorary Chair of Royal DSM (since 2020). He is a Non-Executive Director of Unilever, co‑chairs the Global Centre on Adaptation (with Ban Ki‑moon), is a Member of the World Economic Forum Board of Trustees, Co‑Chair of the CEO Climate Leaders Alliance, and co‑leads the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition for the World Bank. In addition, he advises the IMF, chairs Africa Improved Foods, and guides The Ocean Cleanup, reflecting a leadership footprint that spans corporate governance, sustainability, nutrition, and global systems resilience.
In early 2020, he acted as Special Envoy for the COVID-19 Response for the Dutch government, accelerating testing and policy coordination.
He brings deep cross-sector expertise in:
• Sustainable business transformation – leading DSM’s pivot to purpose-led growth and forging partnerships to tackle malnutrition and climate resilience
• Board governance & global industry leadership – supervising complex listed companies (Philips, DSM, Unilever) with a focus on ESG, digital resilience, and innovation
• Climate & nutrition diplomacy – steering multilateral coalitions on carbon pricing, adaptation, and food security via WEF, World Bank, and UN initiatives
• Science-driven strategy & stakeholder mobilisation – Integrating biology, materials science, and partnerships into value creation at scale
Educated in molecular biology (Utrecht University) and holding an MBA from Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Feike was named UN Humanitarian of the Year (2010), selected among Fortune’s 50 greatest leaders (2018), and listed by the Harvard Business Review as one of the world’s top 100 CEOs (2019). He holds honorary doctorates and national honours for his lifelong service to business and society.
Feike’s career exemplifies the power of purposeful leadership: transforming traditional industries through science, governance, and global stewardship. He remains a sought-after mentor for executives seeking to align commercial success with societal impact.
PDF Profile
download pdf profileMajor Career Roles
Royal DSM
Honorary Chair and former CEO
Royal Philips
Supervisory Board Chair
Supervisory Board
Board member
Global Centre Climate Adaptation
Co-Chair
World Economic Forum
Board of Trustees
Africa Improved Foods and Ocean Cleanup
Senior Adviser
Unilever
Independent Non-Executive Director
Other Career Highlights
the Netherlands
Corona Envoy
Dutch Growth Fund
Board member
Netherlands Cancer Institute and Hospital
Board member
Netherlands Genomics Initiative
Board member
EuropBio
Chair
European Chemical Industry Council
Board member
Utrecht University
Board member
Dutch Innovation Platform
Board member