Stefanie de Kool has been working at SMK since January 2014. First as project leader open field cultivation and since 2017 as Program Manager Plant agri chains. She is responsible for the management of the team plant agri-chains and for the program On the way to PlanetProof Plant-based products, and the various projects related to it. In addition, she is a member of various advisory committees of external projects in the field of sustainable crop production.

Stefanie studied Agronomy at Wageningen University, after which she gained several years of international experience in Nicaragua and Uganda. She now has over 20 years of experience in research and advice in sustainable plant production, farmer innovation networks, stakeholder management and sustainability certification.

Stefanie is able to apply her passion for developing environmentally friendly practices in agriculture and promoting their implementation in collaboration with stakeholders in her work at SMK on a daily basis.

John Janssen started working at SMK in August 2018. He is working as a project manager Plant agri chains on the national and international development of the ‘On the way to PlanetProof’ certification schemes for some horticultural branches, and on the criteria for processed products. He is also the contactperson for the Barometer Sustainable Florist.

John studied Horticulture at the Wageningen University and he specialised in a few agronomical directions. After graduation he worked as a horticultural advisor, agronomist, public relation manager and advisor for horticultural policy.

As an employee at some regional Dutch Agricultural production organisations and the Dutch Association of Arboriculturists (NBvB) and Tree Centre Opheusden, he became very familiar with sustainable production. He also took initiatives for developing sustainable growing systems in arboriculture and greenhouse cultures.

John is considering his employment for SMK as a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of horticultural production systems, in a way that the production of vegetables, fruits and ornamentals are more and more in balance with the environment: ‘On the way to PlanetProof’.

Jaap Bij de Vaate started working at SMK in September 2019. As project leader Vegetable Agro-chains, he is responsible for the certification scheme Green Label Greenhouse and also heavily involved in developing criteria for On the way to PlanetProof.

Jaap grew up on an arable farm and studied horticulture at the Wageningen Agricultural College (now: Wageningen University). After graduating in 1989, he gained a lot of experience with substrate supplier Grodan in greenhouse farming, was involved in substrate development, and supported growers as an international consultant. From 2007 Jaap was involved as project leader and expert at Delphy in a wide variety of projects in greenhouse horticulture: water quality and emission reduction, application of innovations, energy-saving projects, development of growth models, etc. He also set up and carried out training courses there and supervised international ornamental plant cultivation companies.

At SMK Jaap continues to work on making the Dutch and international horticultural sector more sustainable, striving to build bridges between the ideals of sustainability and the practice of economic and technical feasibility.

In May 2019, Lien Terryn has joined the SMK team. In her role as project manager Plant agri chains she contributes to the content-related requirements of On the way to PlanetProof and she has contact with producers, advisers and researchers.

Lien graduated on the Catholic University of Leuven as Bio-engineer soil science and water management. Her first working experience was in Vietnam. During her 2-year stay in Hanoi, Lien facilitated the transition to more nutritious forages used by small-scale dairy farmers.

The last 9 years, she worked as a consultant and project manager at CLM Research and Advice Ltd. In this position she managed projects for among others SAI Platform, Heineken, PepsiCo and Ben & Jerry’s.

Yannick Kraamer has been working at SMK since June 2022. As a project officer within the Plant Agri Chains team, he works mainly on the quality label On the way to PlanetProof and is the contact person for certification bodies.

Yannick studied International Development Management at Van Hall Larenstein, University of Applied Sciences in Wageningen and Velp. He specialized in Sustainable Value Chains and gained international experience during his studies through internships such as at a farmers association in Seychelles and for AgroFair in Panama. After his studies, he started as a policy officer for sustainability at GroentenFruit Huis, the trade organization for the fruit and vegetable sector. After a period in Indonesia, he worked in Sales and Supply Chain Support at Fairtrasa, an import company in organic fruit and bananas. With both his strategic and operational experience, he sees his work at SMK as an opportunity to play a role in making agricultural production and trade more sustainable.

Herman Docters van Leeuwen has been working for SMK since 1999. As a Programme Manager Agri chains, he is responsible for On the way to PlanetProof livestock sectors (beef cattle and dairy), the Barometer Duurzame Bakkerij & Zoetwaren (Barometer for Sustainable Bakery & Confectionery), the Barometer Duurzaam Terreinbeheer (Barometer Sustainable Management of public areas). He is also involved in the development and management of the Maatlat Duurzame Veehouderij (Sustainability standard for animal production). Previously he developed the certification scheme Groen Label Kas. Moreover, he advises governments and companies on sustainability.

Herman studied biology in Leiden and completed the study Dutch agriculture at the Agricultural University of Applied Sciences in Delft in 1992, with a major in Animal production. After graduating, he took on a commercial role at the plant nursery Hoveling Plant. After this, he worked as a policy officer for the gardening department of the municipality of Apeldoorn, and as a teacher in higher agricultural education, for the studies of rural development and animal production.

In the past years, Herman has been involved with the development and implementation of agricultural nature conservation as a secretary for the agricultural nature association Vockestaert in Midden-Delfland. Moreover, he is a rider at the Jockey club of the Rotterdamsche Manège. He was active at this club as a board member for four years. Since 2013, he is a member of the sustainability workgroup of the Laurens Church in Rotterdam.

Annika de Ridder has been working at SMK since 1 May 2013. As the Project Manager animal supply chains, she is responsible for the On the way to PlanetProof criteria for the livestock sectors and processed products, and is intensively involved in the development and management of Maatlat Duurzame Veehouderij (Sustainability index for animal production and Aquaculture).

Annika completed the Bachelor degree programme in Dier- en Veehouderij (Animal and Livestock Farming) at the INHOLLAND University of Applied Sciences in Delft. She then gained a Master’s degree in Biology in Leiden, specialising in Evolutionary and Ecological Sciences.

In 2009, she worked as an inspector of subsidies for agricultural nature conservation at the General Inspection Service (Algemene Inspectiedienst, AID, now part of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, NVWA). In that role, she visited a large number of agricultural firms.

From 2010, she was an implementation expert at the former Implementation Service for the Ministry of Agriculture, now part of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), dealing with applications for project grants for the agricultural sector, for instance for innovation projects and the investment scheme IDSH (Integraal Duurzame Stal- en Houderijsystemen, integrated sustainable animal housing and husbandry systems).

In 2011, she gained the certificate Bedrijf en Kwaliteit (Company and Quality, integrated quality assurance) at HAS Kennis Transfer in Den Bosch.

As Project leader of Animal Agro Chains, Saskia van Wageningen-Lucardie is the first point of contact for all questions about the Yardstick of Sustainable Livestock Farming. She also works on the management of the On the way to PlanetProof criteria for animal products. She is also the first point of contact for the Register of Green Declarations. She uses her extensive knowledge of IT applications in the development of supporting digital (web) tools and in the financial management of various SMK programs.

Saskia graduated from the INHOLLAND University in Delft, where she followed the HBO study Animal and Livestock Farming. Her graduation project was for the Fur for Animals Foundation and involved the evaluation of existing and the development of new teaching packages for groups 6 to 8 of primary education.

After her graduation, Saskia worked as an office manager at the Sophia Association for the Protection of Animals. In this job, she was responsible for the daily operations of the office of the Sophia Association.

Ineke Vlot has worked at SMK as Programme Manager non-food of various non-food programmes since 1996. For EU Ecolabel, she assesses application files for certification. From her role within SMK, she represents the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management in the Regulatory Committee of EU Ecolabel and advises this Ministry about new and revised EU Ecolabel criteria with regard to voting positions within the European Union Ecolabelling Board (EUEB). From 2020 to 2024 Ineke was the President of the EUEB. She has been the vice president of the EUEU since April 2015.

Ineke is also responsible for the development and management of the Milieukeur non-food certification schemes.

In addition, she is involved in Sustainable Purchasing/Green Public Procurement for various product groups, both nationally and internationally.

Ineke is also a board member of the Association of Certification Scheme Developers, founded end of 2018.

Ineke studied biology and environmental sciences at Leiden University. During her studies, she performed research on topics including environmentally-relevant product information for consumers, modelled on the German ‘Blaue Engel’ (Blue Angel) certification programme.

After graduation, Ineke worked for a lengthy period as a project leader at the Centrum voor Energiebesparing (CE Delft; centre for energy savings). Her responsibilities included the feasibility study for Milieukeur (examining the possibility and desirability of setting up a Dutch eco-label) and research into international product-focused environmental policy. Before that, she was a project leader at the Stichting Consument en Veiligheid (consumer and safety foundation) and a product researcher at the Keurmerkinstituut (Certification Institute).

Lars Woltmann has been working as project leader EU non-food at SMK since August 2008. He is responsible for the assessment of application dossiers for the EU Ecolabel certificate and maintains intensive contact with certificate holders and other stakeholders. Furthermore, he advises on new and revised EU Ecolabel criteria to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture, and Innovation regarding voting positions in the EU Ecolabel Board (EUEB).

Lars studied Biology at the University of Göttingen and then worked there for over five years as a researcher/teacher, of which he spent two years conducting ecological research in Indonesia.

Lotte van den Bosch has been working at SMK since June 2022 as junior project lead EU Ecolabel. She supports the non-food team in preparing applications and assists the team with certification of the EU Ecolabel. She is also a contact person for questions related to the EU Ecolabel and she is involved in the communication regarding the quality label.

Lotte studied Public Administration (MSc) at Radboud University Nijmegen and Philosophy of Contemporary Challenges (MA) at Tilburg University. During the master programme Public Administration she gained a lot of knowledge about policy processes, policy analysis and advice. During the master programme Philosophy of Contemporary Challenges she has approached sustainability and environmental issues from an ethical perspective. In addition, she is currently taking courses from the master programme Environment and Society Studies (MSc) at Radboud University Nijmegen to gain more specialist knowledge in the field of sustainability.

After her studies, she completed the Blue Book Traineeship at the European Commission. After that, she worked as an analyst at Rabobank. Lotte perceives her work for SMK as a unique opportunity to contribute to making businesses, and more specific non-food products, more sustainable.

Klara Schmalbach has been working at SMK since March 2024. As a junior project leader for the EU Ecolabel, she supports the non-food department in preparing applications and assists the team with EU Ecolabel certification. Additionally, she serves as the point of contact for inquiries regarding the EU Ecolabel.

Klara came to the Netherlands for her master’s studies in Governance of Sustainability at Leiden University. While expanding her knowledge of the intersection between environmental and policy studies in this program, her personal focus was on the circular economy and European legislation.

Klara sees her work at SMK as a great opportunity to contribute to increased circularity within the EU and the Netherlands.

Ellen Brussee has been working at SMK since October 2019. As a Communication Manager, she deals with the b-to-b communication activities for SMK and the different labels and programs. She is in contact with our stakeholders through press releases, events, websites, newsletters, and social media channels. In addition, she facilitates hallmark holders in their consumer communication through guidelines, advice, and content. Ellen is part of the Communication Working Group of the European Commission for the EU Ecolabel.

Ellen studied Science of Communication at the University of Amsterdam. In Canada she followed a minor Marketing and graduated in Amsterdam with a Master of Science in Corporate Communication. She continued to develop and achieved certifications in Business and Online Marketing.

She worked in profit and non-profit organizations on the development and execution of marketing and communication strategies for different (international) target groups. While working at agencies, she worked for clients like HelloFresh, Qurrent, VandeBron, Rabobank and the municipality of Leiden. Her expertise lies in the area of social media.

Anna has been working at SMK as a communications specialist since November 2022. Together with Ellen, she deals with communication towards both B2B and B2C, for the various labels and programmes. She is responsible for maintaining the websites, content creation, press releases, social media and newsletters.

Anna studied Communication at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, with her graduation in International Marketing. With her interest in sustainability, she started at a circular & sustainable fashion brand Loop.a life, after which she now takes up the challenge at SMK for the bigger picture – making multiple categories sustainable.

Since this summer, Jindra has been working as a communications consultant at SMK. She did her Bachelor in Communication Studies and her Master in Communication Studies at the University of Amsterdam. In South Africa, Jindra followed a minor in Media & Film Studies. Before joining SMK, she worked in the cultural and non-profit sector. In her new position, she can pursue her interest in sustainability. ‘In this position, I can combine my background in communications with my social commitment. I like to dedicate myself to a more sustainable world, which is exactly what SMK stands for. That is why I am looking forward to using my expertise for SMK.’