Creating change within large organisations is rarely about demanding perfection. It is often about finding common ground, building relationships and helping colleagues see how plant-based solutions support the priorities they already care about.

In this engaging panel discussion, facilitator Andrew Furness was joined by Matt Unerman, Iona Murphy and Aoife Phillips to share their experiences of driving positive change from within corporate environments. The conversation explored practical strategies for advancing plant-based initiatives, engaging stakeholders and maintaining resilience when change takes time.

Watch the recording to learn more about:

• Why incremental change at scale can deliver significant impact over time.

• How changing defaults, increasing plant-based options and reducing meat portions can shift behaviour without creating resistance.

• The importance of framing conversations around your audience's priorities, whether that is business resilience, cost savings, health, food security or sustainability.

• How to identify allies, build support across departments and bring plant-based perspectives into key organisational discussions.

• Why resilience, patience and community are essential when working in environments that may not fully align with your values.

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the importance of focusing on co-benefits. Successful initiatives are often framed around outcomes that resonate with decision-makers, such as saving money, improving employee wellbeing, reducing risk or supporting environmental goals. Speakers also highlighted the value of reporting on protein portfolios and encouraging organisations to rebalance protein purchasing towards a greater proportion of plant-based foods.

The panel shared practical examples of how small operational changes can make a difference, from reducing food waste and dairy consumption to embedding sustainability and animal welfare considerations into policies and procurement decisions. Participants were encouraged to consider who is in the room and adapt their language accordingly, finding shared interests and building consensus rather than leading with assumptions about what others value most.

Another key takeaway was the importance of support networks. Many people working to advance plant-based progress experience frustration or burnout when organisational change moves slowly. Connecting with like-minded professionals, sharing experiences and celebrating progress can help maintain momentum over the long term.

Further resources mentioned during the discussion:

1. Lidl's hybrid high-protein meat and pea protein range

2. Understanding misinformation around the carnivore diet

3. The online backlash against the EAT-Lancet recommendations

4. Rethinking plant-based meat alternatives

5. Ocado Retail's Healthy Sustainable Diets approach and protein portfolio reporting

Featured: Sourcing Stewards

Sourcing decisions in UK food businesses are made every day by people who have never had a reason to prioritise animal welfare. Many people who care deeply about animals are not in those seats, and many assume they would not be hired.

Sourcing Stewards was created to change that. The initiative helps people who care about animals build careers in food businesses, in roles that shape what gets bought, and then supports them once they are in post so they can help move companies away from factory-farmed products. It is also a route for advocates who want to create impact but cannot find a place in the nonprofit sector, where around 1,350 people are competing for fewer than 1,000 listed roles.

There are two ways to get involved:

• Join the peer network. If you already work in food, procurement or sustainability, or are heading in that direction, this is a community for sharing tactics, exchanging ideas and staying motivated. Experienced professionals are especially welcome. To register your interest, email matt@sourcingstewards.org with your name and current role.

• Join the waitlist for the first coaching cohort. If you would like to move into one of these roles, complete the short form at sourcingstewards.org/coaching. Selected applicants will receive one-to-one support with CVs, interviews and job applications.

To learn more, visit sourcingstewards.org.

Join a relaxed, global online drop-in session for vegan and vegan-curious leaders to connect and build their network through shared conversation.

This informal meet-and-greet is designed to help you expand your support network and meet like-minded professionals navigating corporate environments.

What to expect:

• No preparation needed – just join and take part

• Small group format (limited to 8 participants) to keep conversations engaging and personal

• A friendly, open space to connect with peers

To get the most from the session:

• Comfortable communicating in English

• Willing to turn on your camera (where possible)

• Open to participating in group conversation

Why join?
This is one of the easiest ways to grow your professional support network as a vegan in the workplace, meet others with shared perspectives, and make meaningful new connections.

Can what you eat influence how you think, focus, and perform at work?

In this VLCM session, we explored the connection between plant-based nutrition and workplace performance with Chiara Chianese,, who shared practical, evidence-based insights into how food choices can support energy, focus, productivity, and long-term wellbeing.

Drawing on her background in scientific research, genomics, pharmaceuticals, and business, as well as her personal experience adopting a plant-based lifestyle, Chiara examined how nutrition can become a valuable tool for supporting performance in demanding professional environments.

During the session, we discussed:

• How nutrition influences energy levels, concentration, and cognitive performance

• Why focus depends on multiple factors, including sleep, stress, workload, and diet

• A practical framework for making food choices that support sustained energy and mental clarity

• The importance of nutrient density, balanced meals, and consistent eating patterns

• How to align nutrition with different workplace demands, from routine tasks to high-stakes presentations

• The role organisations can play in supporting plant-based choices and employee wellbeing

One of the key themes of the discussion was that optimising nutrition is not about perfection. Instead, Chiara encouraged participants to better understand their individual needs, pay attention to what helps them perform at their best, and make small, sustainable changes that support both health and productivity.

The session concluded with an engaging Q&A covering topics such as promoting plant-based initiatives in remote and hybrid workplaces, overcoming resistance to change, leveraging Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), and framing conversations around health, sustainability, and ethics.

If you missed the live event, you can watch the full recording now and discover practical ideas for improving your own workplace performance while exploring the benefits of plant-based nutrition.

Join a relaxed, global online drop-in session for vegan and vegan-curious leaders to connect and build their network through shared conversation.

This informal meet-and-greet is designed to help you expand your support network and meet like-minded professionals navigating corporate environments.

What to expect:

• No preparation needed – just join and take part

• Small group format (limited to 8 participants) to keep conversations engaging and personal

• A friendly, open space to connect with peers

To get the most from the session:

• Comfortable communicating in English

• Willing to turn on your camera (where possible)

• Open to participating in group conversation

Why join?
This is one of the easiest ways to grow your professional support network as a vegan in the workplace, meet others with shared perspectives, and make meaningful new connections.

Join a relaxed, global online drop-in session for vegan and vegan-curious leaders to connect and build their network through shared conversation.

This informal meet-and-greet is designed to help you expand your support network and meet like-minded professionals navigating corporate environments.

What to expect:

• No preparation needed – just join and take part

• Small group format (limited to 8 participants) to keep conversations engaging and personal

• A friendly, open space to connect with peers

To get the most from the session:

• Comfortable communicating in English

• Willing to turn on your camera (where possible)

• Open to participating in group conversation

Why join?
This is one of the easiest ways to grow your professional support network as a vegan in the workplace, meet others with shared perspectives, and make meaningful new connections.

Join a relaxed, global online drop-in session for vegan and vegan-curious leaders to connect and build their network through shared conversation.

This informal meet-and-greet is designed to help you expand your support network and meet like-minded professionals navigating corporate environments.

What to expect:

• No preparation needed – just join and take part

• Small group format (limited to 8 participants) to keep conversations engaging and personal

• A friendly, open space to connect with peers

To get the most from the session:

• Comfortable communicating in English

• Willing to turn on your camera (where possible)

• Open to participating in group conversation

Why join?
This is one of the easiest ways to grow your professional support network as a vegan in the workplace, meet others with shared perspectives, and make meaningful new connections.

Las conversaciones sobre bienestar y sostenibilidad en el ámbito corporativo están cobrando cada vez más fuerza. Sin embargo, transformar las buenas intenciones en cambios reales sigue siendo un desafío, especialmente cuando la nutrición basada en plantas entra en escena. Muchos profesionales desean actuar, pero les cuesta alinear sus valores con las realidades corporativas.

En esta Catalyst Sessions – Encuentros de transformación corporativa, tendremos una conversación estratégica y enfocada sobre cómo las personas pueden convertirse en agentes de cambio efectivos dentro de sus organizaciones. La sesión explorará qué es lo que resuena en los entornos corporativos, qué no, y cómo el programa Workplace Catalyst for Change (WCCP en sus siglas en inglés) de Vegan Leaders in Corporate Management puede respaldar acciones prácticas y que éstas se traduzcan en impacto.

La sesión contará con la participación de Mónica Bamonde, quien compartirá aprendizajes de su experiencia corporativa en nutrición basada en plantas y bienestar laboral. Su perspectiva será seguida por una discusión guiada que conectará sus conocimientos con el WCCP, junto con una sección de preguntas y respuestas para los participantes.

Fecha: Martes 19 de mayo 

Duración: 45 minutos 

Hora: 11:00 Perú/Colombia · 12:00 Chile · 13:00 Argentina/Brasil 

Mónica Bamonde Vidal es Licenciada en Nutrición y Dietética, vegana, con diversas especializaciones en el campo de la Alimentación Plant Based y Sostenibilidad. Cuenta con más de 20 años de experiencia en el campo de la Nutrición y la Salud. Es Directora y Fundadora de TENU3, consultora que lidera la gestión de comedores corporativos y consultoría nutricional para empresas, utilizando tecnología propia para el control de la gestión.  

 Combina su labor empresarial con la atención particular en la Clínica San Felipe (Lima, Perú) desde hace 16 años y se desempeña como Campaigner del Acuerdo Basado en Plantas Latam, donde brinda conferencias, diseña materiales de divulgación y menús para servicios de alimentación colectiva. Es Educadora en Diabetes certificada por la Federación Internacional de Diabetes, Dietista voluntaria en Desafío 22 y actualmente es conferencista internacional y dietista referida por el Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.