On 8 September 2026, Salacia Solutions will host a new edition of the Change Makers Breakfast in Rotterdam: an intimate morning event where leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers come together to explore what it actually takes to create meaningful impact.
This edition features Mark van Baal, founder of Follow This and one of the most well-known Dutch voices in shareholder activism on climate action.
One voice can change more than you think
The idea behind the Change Makers Breakfast is simple: major change rarely starts with systems or institutions, it starts with individuals who decide to act.
Mark van Baal is a clear example of that.
With no background in finance or corporate governance, he bought a single share in a major oil company and stepped into a world that is usually closed to outsiders. His question was straightforward but uncomfortable:
Why aren’t the world’s largest energy companies aligning their business models with the Paris Climate Agreement?
That question became the foundation of Follow This, a global shareholder movement that pushes oil and gas companies to accelerate their transition toward climate alignment.
From doubt to global influence
In the early years, the initiative was often dismissed as unrealistic. One shareholder would not be able to influence companies worth hundreds of billions of euros.
But the movement grew.
Institutional investors joined in, climate resolutions gained support, and the conversation inside boardrooms began to shift.
Even when ExxonMobil filed a lawsuit in 2024 in an attempt to block climate resolutions, the movement continued. For Mark van Baal, it was not a setback—it was confirmation that the work was being taken seriously.
What to expect at the event
The Change Makers Breakfast is not a traditional keynote or corporate presentation. It is a candid conversation about motivation, persistence, and impact.
During this session, Mark van Baal will share:
- How Follow This started
- Why he chose to challenge some of the most powerful energy companies in the world
- How you build a movement without institutional power
- What leadership looks like when resistance is part of the journey
Program
- Breakfast & welcome
- Fireside conversation with Mark van Baal
- Audience Q&A
- Networking
Why this matters for leaders and professionals
This event is not only about climate or energy. It is about a broader question:
How do you create impact when you are not in control of the system?
For leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals, it is a discussion about influence, persistence, and the willingness to challenge the status quo.
Practical information
📅 8 September 2026
🕐 08:00 – 10:00 CET
📍 Coolsingel 65, Rotterdam (Salacia Solutions office)
🍽️ Breakfast included
Participation is free of charge, but requires membership with Follow This.
Register
Secure your spot here:
👉 Change Makers Breakfast – Register
Become a member of Follow This here:
👉 Follow This – Membership
