Fighting for a better world seems to be getting tougher with each passing year. But, at the same time, there are many smart and talented people who engage in that battle every day and step up to the challenge without flinching.
My name is Jasmijn de Boo and I am the Global CEO of pioneering food awareness organisation, ProVeg International. Today, I want to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 by acknowledging 20 women from around the world who are making it their life’s work to transform the food system for future generations.
The ways that we produce and consume food is destroying the natural world and accelerating climate change, which brings with it many other dangers, including food insecurity. The women leaders I am recognising today are shaping a healthier, more sustainable future through their inspiring work and dedication.
In very different ways – through the media, through Parliamentary processes, and as leaders of NGOs and companies – these women are helping to protect and restore the planet and its climate by promoting sustainable consumption.
And so, it gives me great pleasure to honour the remarkable women listed below. At the same time, I should acknowledge that there are many other women who could also feature here. Let’s take a day to honour all of those women around the world who are inspiring others to build a better future.
Jasmijn de Boo, Global CEO, ProVeg International
Madeleine Olivia
Social-media influencer Madeleine Olivia is a full-time content creator with a mission to make plant-based living easy and accessible for anyone. Through her engaging YouTube channel, which has over 550,000 subscribers, and her active presence on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, Madeleine shares recipes, sustainable living tips, and personal stories that inspire her audience to take action. Follow her on Instagram and YouTube.
Evanna Lynch
Having ascended to celebrity status as Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter movie franchise, Evanna Lynch has not hesitated to use the media spotlight to highlight the importance of animal welfare and plant-based diets. The Irish actor was back on screen in 2024, narrating the animated short film Sanctuary, which is based on the real-life rescue of two pigs on their way to the slaughterhouse. Go Evanna! Follow her on Instagram.
Dr Melanie Joy
Melanie Joy is an American social psychologist who coined the term ‘carnism’ to highlight the dysfunctional relationship between humans and animals. Her best-selling book Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows garnered a global audience and has influenced many people to think more deeply about their food choices. Melanie is the founder of Beyond Carnism, an organisation that campaigns vigorously for a more ethical food system through public talks and media campaigns. Follow her on Instagram here.
Sonalie Figueiras
Founder and editor-in-chief of the award-winning media platform Green Queen, Sonalie Figueiras is a tireless advocate for social and environmental change. Green Queen is a leading outlet for alternative-protein news, providing critical insights and inspiring food-system innovation. Follow Green Queen on Instagram.
Shreya Ghodawat
Shreya Ghodawat doesn’t shirk from challenging the norm! An influential advocate and podcaster based in India, she works to ensure that voices from the Global South are central to global climate discussions. At last year’s UN climate summit COP29 in Azerbaijan, Shreya advocated for gender equality in climate leadership. Her award-winning podcast, Sustainable Tea with Shreya, has over 16 million views on YouTube. Want to see more? Follow her on Instagram too.
Juliette Tronchon
I’ve picked one of our own! As the Head of UN Affairs at ProVeg International, Juliette Tronchon engages with decision-makers at high level forums such as the COP UN climate summits in order to integrate plant-based solutions into global food policies. Her efforts focus on ensuring that sustainable and healthy food systems are part of the international agenda, influencing decision-making at the highest levels. Keep up with her work on LinkedIn.
Danielle Nierenberg
Danielle Nierenberg is the co-founder and president of Food Tank, an organisation dedicated to building a global community around safe, healthy, and sustainable food. Through her work, Danielle connects thought leaders and activists to drive meaningful change in the global food system. Food Tank’s summits, held across the United States and internationally, have hosted hundreds of speakers. With sold-out audiences, Danielle reaches millions with her livestreams and social media channels. Follow her work on LinkedIn.
Greta Thunberg
Internationally recognised climate activist Greta Thunberg continues to drive global awareness about the climate crisis, with her activism highlighting the role of food systems in driving climate change. She is a powerful force on the global stage, advocating for plant-based diets and systemic reforms as essential tools for fighting the climate emergency. Keep up with Greta’s work on Instagram.
Dr Nanine Wyma
Dr Nanine Wyma is crushing the misconceptions about plant-based diets and health. Based in South Africa, Nanina is Managing Director of the Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) South Africa, where she guides the organisation’s national efforts, campaigns, outreach, research, and publicity. She speaks on plant-based nutrition at conferences and universities, and represents PAN at key international events, including the UN’s COP climate summits.
Matilda Ho
Matilda Ho is the co-founder and Managing Director of China’s first food-tech venture-capital company, Bits X Bites. Her shrewd investments in innovative start-ups are shaping the future of sustainable food in Asia and beyond. Matilda is helping to power projects that reduce the cost of precision fermentation and cultivated meat technology. Find her on LinkedIn here.
Jennifer Stojkovic
Canadian-born Jennifer Stojkovic is the founder of the Vegan Women Summit, which brings together thousands of women every year to forge a pathway to a better food system. Author of The Future of Food is Female, Jennifer promotes her vision by engaging women in the many opportunities presented by the alternative-protein industry. Follow her on Instagram.
Indy Kaur
Indy Kaur is a woman on a mission, uniting plant-based food businesses and building collective action to accelerate the shift toward healthier, more sustainable diets. Through her organisation, Plant Futures, she brings suppliers, NGOs, retailers, businesses, and brands together to define intelligent strategies for market growth. Keep up with Indy’s work on LinkedIn.
Genesis Butler
Genesis Butler grabbed the world’s attention when she gave a TEDx talk on a 10-year-old’s plan for healing the planet. Now 18 years old, and founder of Genesis for Animals, she leads a global movement of young people, highlighting the impact of factory farming on animals and the environment, and advocating for plant-based diets. Follow Genesis on Instagram.
Tia Blanco
Professional surfer Tia Blanco has twice taken the gold medal at the World Surfing Games. As a social-media influencer, Tia uses her platform to promote plant-based living, against a backdrop of ocean life. She is also the co-founder of Dear Self Skincare, a skincare line that is vegan and cruelty-free. Keep up with Tia on Instagram.
Jessica Almy
Jessica Almy is Senior Vice President of Policy and Government Relations at the Good Food Institute (GFI), where she works to advance the alternative-protein sector by helping to shape policies that accelerate the shift toward sustainable and ethical food systems. Jessica boldly advocates for public investments in alternative-protein science and innovation and fights against attempts to restrict or ban alternative-protein products. Follow Jessica’s work on LinkedIn.
Sue Gajathar
Sue Gajathar, more widely known as The Vegan Chef, is a plant-based restaurateur in South Africa. She runs vegan restaurants in Johannesburg and Kwazulu-Natal and won the 2024 Best of Joburg award for Best Vegan category. A familiar face in the media, she promotes plant-based diets through cooking demos and industry events. Keep up with Sue on her Instagram page.
Dotsie Bausch
An Olympian makes the list! American Dotsie Bausch won silver in track cycling at the London Olympics in 2012. And she was back at the Paris Olympics in 2024, representing Switch4Good, the organisation she founded, which is responsible for plant-forward food policy changes in the US Dietary Guidelines and for pushing the world’s largest coffee chain, Starbucks, to drop their sur-charge on plant-based milks. Follow Dotsie on Instagram for more updates.
Sonal WhiteCub
Sonal WhiteCub is the pioneering CEO of WhiteCub, a company which introduced dairy-free ice cream to the Indian market. Her company has since diversified to alternative versions of butter and curds. A driven and determined visionary, Sonal is helping to lead the world towards a better food system. Keep up with Sonal on LinkedIn.
Lisa Feria
Lisa Feria heads up Stray Dog Capital, a prolific venture capital fund that advances sustainable solutions in the plant-based market. She’s also a triathlete and passionate vegan, and serves on the board of other organisations striving for a more compassionate world, including Mercy for Animals and Miyoko’s Creamery. Follow Lisa’s work on LinkedIn.
Rahmina Paullete
18-year old climate activist Rahmina Paullete is the founder of Kisumu Environmental Champions, an organisation dedicated to wildlife conservation and climate-change advocacy in her native Kenya. Her work includes campaigning for climate-friendly food systems, including pushing for plant-based meals at the COP UN climate summits.
We hope you enjoyed learning about these 20 incredible women changing the world for the better through food-system transformation. If you think we missed someone that should be on the list, please let us know, and let’s keep striving for a sustainable future!
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Jasmijn de Boo
Global CEO
