KLM has appointed Zita Schellekens as the carrier’s new SVP Sustainability & Strategy effective March 1st, 2023. Previously, Schellekens served as Sustainability Director at DSM, a science-based global company specializing in human and animal health and nutrition.
On Tuesday (January 31, 2023), KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced the appointment of Zita Schellekens as SVP Sustainability & Strategy effective March 1st, 2023. This is a newly created position on KLM’s Executive Committee. Previously, Ms. Schellekens spent two and a half years as Sustainability Director for DSM, global science-based company that specializes in human and animal health and nutrition. During that period, she joined forces with DSM’s former CEO Feike Sijbesma to invest in innovative, sustainable start-ups. Schellekens is also a member of Royal Schiphol Group’s Sustainability Advisory Board. Prior to joining DSM, she served as Director of Corporate Affairs at Heineken.
In Tuesday’s announcement, KLM’s CEO, Marjan Rintel, said,
“The Dutch want to carry on flying and we see travel increasing globally. KLM wants to make this possible in a responsible manner, because this is the only way we can take KLM safely into the future. That means investing in a good product for customers, making smart use of technology, and setting ambitious sustainability goals. Zita's drive and decisiveness and her wealth of experience in tackling complex sustainability issues at major companies all make her the ideal candidate to lead the way in improving KLM’s sustainability. We were already on the right track and I look forward to what we will achieve together in the time ahead.”
Also commenting on her upcoming role as KLM’s SVP – Sustainability & Strategy, Zita Schellekens, added,
“I am committing myself to a tremendous mission: the sustainable transformation of KLM. It's a huge and challenging mission, and one that is absolutely necessary in my new position, strategy, transformation and sustainability converge. That means focusing on accelerating the transition to sustainability, exploiting every innovative solution available, and setting up smart public-private partnerships. I am convinced that my new role will allow me to make a significant contribution to achieving KLM's ambitions and to helping the industry undergo the necessary change.”
In her now role with KLM, Ms. Schellekens will be responsible for the Transformation and Sustainability Teams, which were established to accelerate the carrier’s sustainability efforts. She will report directly to KLM’s CEO, Marjan Rintel.
Source: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines