Empowering Individuals in the Global Community Through Entrepreneurship
As an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the Whole Planet Foundation has its own Board of Directors which includes the following individuals:
Co-founder and Co-CEO of Whole Foods Market and Chairman of the Board for Whole Planet Foundation
Whole Foods Market is one of the top 12 supermarket companies in America and the world's largest natural foods retail chain - it has been named one of "Fortune 100 Best Companies To Work For" every year since 1998 and with $5.7 billion sales is a Fortune 500 company. In addition, John Mackey created Whole Planet Foundation, in order to create economic partnerships with the poor in those developing-world communities that supply Whole Foods Market stores with product. Through innovative assistance for entrepreneurship - primarily direct microcredit loans - the Foundation seeks to unleash the energy and creativity of every human being in order to create wealth and prosperity in emerging economies.
In 1978, at the age of 25, John Mackey was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug. Borrowing $10,000 from his father and raising the first few thousand of what would eventually become hundreds of millions of dollars in equity investments, he co-founded Safer Way Natural Foods with his girlfriend Renee Lawson. Two years later, in 1980, he and Renee teamed up with two other young entrepreneurs to create Whole Foods Market, a 10,000 square foot store on Lamar Boulevard in Austin. This store, one of the very first supermarket-style natural foods stores in the country, thrived.
With his fierce sense of competition, staunch support for a decentralized and team-based structure, keen understanding of consumer trends and endless supply of innovative ideas, John Mackey gradually built Whole Foods Market into a powerhouse. By the end of 2003, the natural foods industry was more than $25 billion in size, a development he sees as good for all concerned, especially Planet Earth. Whole Foods Market now has 287 stores in the US, Canada, and the UK. The goal is to be a $10 billion company by 2010.
In addition, John Mackey was named the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2003 - an award given to the leaders and creators who build and sustain world-class businesses that are a testament to vision, leadership, achievement, and social responsibility. John Mackey was named as the Entrepreneur of 2003 in recognition for his outstanding entrepreneurial achievement of successfully building Whole Foods into the world's largest retailer of natural and organic foods.
Mr. Mackey is a strong believer in Libertarian and free market principles and empowerment management and his creation of Whole Planet Foundation is an embodiment of that belief, impacting the lives of thousands of women around the globe by providing them with access to financial capital.
He and his wife, Deborah, both practice meditation and yoga, and spend as much time as they can on their 720 acre ranch west of Austin. John still reads books of all kinds voraciously, and participates in two monthly book clubs. He is always up for a lively debate about politics, economics, history or sports.
Senior Global Vice President of Purchasing, Distribution and Marketing, Whole Foods Market
Michael Besancon, an entrepreneur and environmental advocate, has spent most of his career in the business of providing natural and organic foods to a population craving a healthier lifestyle.
In 1970 he built, owned and operated Follow Your Heart Natural Foods in Canoga Park, CA. At that time it was the largest natural food store on the West Coast. The line of vegan products he developed back then is still sold in natural food stores throughout the nation. In 1990 he established a food brokerage firm, representing vendors throughout the U.S. He joined Whole Foods Market in 1994 as Director of Purchasing in the Southern Pacific Region and was promoted to Regional Vice President two years later. In 1998 he became President of the company's Mid Atlantic Region. He returned to his home town in 2001 as President of the Southern Pacific Region, an area that encompasses Southern California, Arizona and Nevada.
Michael chairs Whole Foods Market's National Green Mission Task Force and has helped the company lead the charge for environmentally sustainable practices which range from promoting sustainable agriculture and creating farm animal treatment standards to store recycling and composting programs. In January 2006, Whole Foods Market announced a landmark purchase of renewable energy credits from wind farms to offset 100% of the electricity used in all of its U.S. offices, stores and facilities. This is the largest wind energy credit purchase in the history of North America and makes Whole Foods Market the only Fortune 500 company to do so.
Michael believes that by choosing natural and organic foods and creating environmental awareness, companies and consumers alike are able to do their part to make a healthier planet.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Whole Foods Market
Glenda Chamberlain began her work with Whole Foods Market in 1988. During her tenure, she has played a major role in the growth of the company as it has grown from six stores in 1988 to 270 stores currently, with $6.6 billion in sales in fiscal year 2007. Prior to Whole Foods Market, Chamberlain held positions in public accounting, retail and business consulting. She holds a B.B.A. in accounting from the University of Texas.
Vice President and General Counsel, Whole Foods Market
Roberta Lang serves as Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel for Whole Foods Market, Inc., a Fortune 500 company and the world's largest retailer of natural and organic foods. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Ms. Lang is responsible for a broad scope of corporate legal functions for the entire company and its 42,000 employees. Ms. Lang works closely with the Whole Foods Market Executive and National Leadership Teams, as well as with Regional Coordinators and Team Members. Her team provides a variety of services and counsel ranging from intellectual property to mergers and acquisitions. She has been recognized three times as a Whole Foods Market "All*Star", the Company's highest honor, for her overall outstanding performance as a dedicated, tireless team member who brings incredible intellect, seasoned perspective, understanding and balance to her professional life.
Prior to joining Whole Foods Market, Roberta practiced law in the Chicago area. She has been a legal consultant to several international corporations and has chaired both business and tax related bar association committees as well as serving as an arbitration judge. She is a board member of the Whole Planet Foundation as well as the Animal Compassion Foundation. She is currently listed in Who's Who of American Law and in the Who's Who of American Business. She earned her undergraduate degree at Indiana University and her Juris Doctorate from the Valpraiso University School of Law.
Co-CEO Whole Foods Market
With a long history in the natural foods business as a retailer and consultant, Walter Robb joined Whole Foods Market in December 1991. He opened and operated the Mill Valley store until his promotion to president of the Northern Pacific region in July 1993. Under Robb, the region grew from two to 17 stores, and four acquisitions were completed during his tenure. Robb also served a two-year term as a member of the Board of Directors of the Organic Trade Association. Robb is currently co-president of Whole Foods Market and oversees six of the company's 11 regions. He serves on the board of directors for both The Organic Center and Pot Belly Sandwich Works. Robb was named a member of Natural Foods Merchandiser's initial Dream Team in 1990. He graduated from Stanford University in 1976.
President/General Manager, Allegro Coffee Company
Jeff joined Allegro Coffee Company three years ago. He brought with him more than 20 years of consumer packaged goods and beverage experience, most recently as Division Vice President at Constellation Brands. At CB, he revitalized several mature brands and introduced a series of new products significantly improved bottom line performance for the company. Before that, he was President of Snapple Beverages of NYC, a subsidiary of Quaker Oats Company. From 1984 to 1995, Jeff was employed by Pepsi Cola Company, where he assumed marketing, sales and operational roles of increasing responsibility in different markets across the U.S.
Jeff joined Allegro to find a company closely connected to their roots, with the highest quality standards and a dedicated team member group that thoroughly enjoys and supports the spirit of the company.
Co-Chairman of the Board for Whole Planet Foundation
Lee Valkenaar has held various positions with the Company since 1987, including Store Team Leader, Vice President and President of the Southwest Region. Valkenaar served as president of the Mid-Atlantic Region from 2001 to 2004 and from 2004 to 2008, he served as Executive Vice President of Global Support, focusing on purchasing, marketing, and team member services. Since 2008, he has served as the Co-Chairman of the Board for Whole Planet Foundation.
