On 8 April, we had the absolute privilege of hosting Ben Cohen and local party leader Chantal Zeegers – and the energy in the room was something you don’t easily capture in words. But we’ll try anyway:
A room full of leaders. No scripts. No fluff. Just real talk about what it takes to actually move the needle in this defining moment for Rotterdam and the Port.
And the shared conclusion?
𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦.
“We were looking for you guys back then”
Ben Cohen – Ben & Jerry’s
A few things still bouncing around our heads:
- Activism and entrepreneurship don’t clash – they amplify each other when rooted in real support
- The transition in energy, materials and value chains demands bold corporate leadership, not just policy
- Corporate activism only works when it’s intentional, values-driven, and embedded in decision-making
- Disruption without alignment can backfire – impact needs to bring people along
- If you don’t measure it, you don’t move it – sustainability deserves the same rigor as financial performance
- Values can’t be decoration. They need to lead from day one, or they won’t survive pressure
Setting the tone
Kees Kerstens opened with “double dip capitalism” – and it set the tone: profit and purpose aren’t opposites, they’re partners if you design them that way.
Chantal Zeegers grounded the conversation with a powerful reminder: urgency is important, but so is bringing society with you.
And then Ben Cohen…
More than a story
Not a symbol. Not a legend on a pedestal. Just a man who helped start something in high school and never stopped asking: what are we actually measuring here?
His “Free Ben & Jerry’s” story had the room leaning in – but it was his reflection on success metrics that hit hardest. Fair trade, equality, pay gaps, environment… things we now call “ESG” were already the questions back then.
And suddenly it all clicked again:
this isn’t new. It’s just finally scaling.
The shift is happening
We left the room energised, aligned, and honestly a bit fired up. Because if this morning proved anything, it’s this: the shift isn’t coming – it’s already happening. And it’s accelerating.
Want to be part of what’s next?
This conversation doesn’t stop here. If you’re building, leading, or rethinking the role of business in shaping a better future – now’s the moment to step in.
Let’s keep the momentum going. Reach out, join the conversation, and help move the needle where it matters most.
