Leading from the back and from the front - Eva Gouwens, CEO, Fairphone

What does it take to lead a movement and challenge the whole electronics industry? Fairphone CEO Eva Gouwens shares what she’s learned leading from the front by creating an example, as well as leading from the back by empowering her team and partners. - THE IMPACT. Eva Gouwens is: CEO of Fairphone, which is leading a movement for fairer electronics, and making a positive impact across the value chain in mining, design, manufacturing and life cycle, while expanding the market for products that put ethical values first Was First Lady of Chocolate at Tony’s Chocolonely, the iconic chocolate brand on a mission to make 100% slave-free chocolate Is a veteran of the food industry in marketing at brands like Sara Lee and Mars Has a degree in Economics from Wageningen University in the Netherlands THE JOURNEY. In our conversation, we explore: A career theme: working to create tangible products, from food to electronics Bridging worlds: bringing multinational business experience to a social enterprise Challenging the electronics industry step by step: how it’s made, who makes it, how we use it The metrics of success for a movement: phones sold, as well as with industry followers Leadership: from the front by example, and from the back empowering a team