Mondelēz International Sends Employees to Ghana Cocoa Farming Communities

In October, Mondelēz International will be sending 15 employees from 11 countries around the world to learn and serve in cocoa-farming communities in Ghana. During this two-week skills exchange program, these "Joy Ambassadors" will hear directly from farmers the challenges and opportunities in securing a sustainable cocoa supply, while sharing their diverse business skills. 

Now in its third year, the Joy Ambassador program is part of the company's Call For Well-being, which focuses on fueling growth and making a positive impact for future generations. This year, the program's theme is centered on enhancing the capacity of cocoa farmers' societies, which are critical stakeholders in the supply chain. These cooperatives provide individual cocoa farmers with increased access to markets and inputs, and serve as a hub to share best practices. The Joy Ambassadors will help train cooperative and community leaders on developing their business management skills to help enhance cooperatives' participation, collaboration and engagement.

As the largest buyer of cocoa in the world, Mondelēz International is committed to ensuring a sustainable cocoa supply chain by implementing programs on the ground, most notably Cocoa Life. Launched in 2012, the $400 million program aims to empower over 200,000 farmers and more than one million people in six key cocoa growing origins by 2022. Through Cocoa Life, the company is focused on achieving scale and driving impact in Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Indonesia, India, Dominican Republic and Brazil.

"Our Joy Ambassadors program is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our talented colleagues to share their business and leadership skills with Cocoa Life communities, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the cocoa supply chain and the challenges farmers face," says Sarah Delea, president of the Mondelēz International Foundation and senior director for Well-being and Community Involvement. "Each year, our Ambassadors come back with fresh perspectives and insights that inspire and grow our people, as well as help grow our business and impact on the ground."

The 2016 Joy Ambassadors offer a wide range of skills, from research and development, marketing, manufacturing to finance and law. The project is funded by the Mondelēz International Foundation through a partnership with VSO—Voluntary Service Overseas—an international development organization that brings people together to share skills and knowledge.

The 2016 Class of Mondelēz International's Joy Ambassadors are: Flavio Ackel, marketing innovation manager in Brazil; Carina Mara de Aguiar, revenue and planning manager in Brazil; Jerry Anderson, information systems global solution owner, consumer insights in the United Kingdom; Nuria Antoja, marketing manager, chocolate in Spain; Shomit Azad, senior counsel in Australia; Alice Bertholin Rice, employee relations lead in the United States; Valerie Breitholle, section manager, research and development in the United States; Jean-Baptiste Darnault, procurement lead, biscuits in France; Tara Hieminga, senior manager shopper marketing and merchandising in Canada; Ramesh Chander Kataria, plant lead, integrated supply chain, chocolate in India; Ashley Mbanga, finance analyst, sales in South Africa; Bryony McComb, innovation manager, global chocolate in South Africa; Funlola Pearce, finance director and commercial controller in Nigeria; Kaori Shimode, associate director, sales in Japan; and Nick Wright, talent and organizational effectiveness manager in the United Kingdom.

The Joy Ambassadors will share their experiences on Mondelēz International's Facebook and Twitter pages during and after the trip. 

The Joy Ambassadors journey coincides with Mondelēz International's annual Global Volunteer Month. Throughout the month of October, employees around the world will take time to give back to their communities. Partnering with leading global and local non-governmental organizations, such as INMED Partnerships for Children, Magic Bus, Save the Children and Klasse2000, thousands of employees from around the globe will roll up their sleeves to volunteer through projects that promote healthy, active lifestyles and community well-being.