What is ESG?
And why it matters for Lely
Sustainability goes beyond reducing our footprint. As Maartje and Tanja explain, it’s also about how we grow as an organisation – creating a diverse and inclusive environment where different perspectives lead to better decisions. Because building a sustainable future starts with the people behind it.
As two women in management at Lely, why does our 2030 goal of 30% women in leadership matter?
Maartje: ‘For me, it’s crystal clear: homogeneous teams might move faster, but diverse teams go further. Different perspectives lead to better decisions. It’s funny that we still need to talk about it – almost like asking if a fish can swim. We still have work to do within Lely, but diversity is about more than just numbers. It’s about creating an environment where everyone can contribute and thrive.’
Tanja: 'I totally agree, Maartje! Take our design process as an example. We now look more consciously at different user perspectives. For instance, making sure that service tasks can be performed by everyone and that our solutions are intuitive and comfortable for all farmers. That’s inclusion in practice. It’s about enabling people to be the best version of themselves. Growth comes from embracing differences. That’s where innovation happens.'
Maartje Bouvy
Maartje studied Business Administration, Economics and Law and holds an Executive Master of Finance and Control
Built broad finance experience across various sectors
Serves as a Non-Executive Board Member on the Supervisory Board of Dutch Flower Group
Joined Lely in 2024 as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and member of the Executive Board
Enjoys spending time with her family and caring for her bees and chickens at home
Tanja Roeleveld
Tanja grew up in Schellinkhout, the Netherlands
Lived in Italy for two years before returning to study at Hotelschool The Hague
Built her career in brand and marketing communications before shifting her focus to sustainability in 2011
Joined Lely in November 2019 as Manager Sustainability
Starts each day with a walk in nature with her dog
There is a lot of talk about sustainability. But how can Lely turn it into something that inspires people to take action and make a difference?
Maartje: ‘We all share the responsibility to take better care of our planet. That requires genuine ambition and a mindset shift in everything we do. As market leader, we have the chance to create a positive impact, make smarter choices and show what responsible innovation looks like. Sustainability should feel like an opportunity rather than a burden. When it becomes part of everyday decisions, real change follows, benefiting both our footprint and the way we support farmers.’
Tanja: ‘Sustainability is not owned by one team. It touches every part of Lely. Wherever you work, across departments and locations, you can already see progress – especially thanks to new ideas from younger generations. Change starts small: turn off lights, switch off your monitor when you go home, take stairs instead of the elevator, reduce waste. Just begin, see how far you get, and ask for help when you need it. Every little bit helps. When we celebrate those small wins, the bigger ones follow naturally.’
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword – it is a shared mindset. From designing energy-efficient robots to rethinking how we work and lead, every choice counts towards a more sustainable future. In this conversation, our Chief Financial Officer Maartje and Head of Sustainability Tanja reflect on how we can all make a difference. They talk about turning ambition into action, our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals, and how diversity and inclusion play a vital role in creating real impact. For the future of farming – and for Lely itself.
What can we learn from others when it comes to making dairy farming more sustainable?
Maartje: ‘When visiting Denmark with the Executive Board, we met with dairy company Arla. They include sustainability performance in how much they pay farmers for their milk, creating a direct link between quality and sustainability. It shows a different way of thinking from which we can learn. Ultimately, we share the same goal: creating a future that is better for the cow, the farmer and the environment.’
Tanja: ‘We are actively involved in the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative, which brings together leading international companies – such as Unilever and Heinz – to work on reducing the footprint of their key ingredients and continuously learn from one another. Our role is to support farmers with technology and insights, helping them take the next step in sustainability. Partnerships like these help us to stay ahead and be part of the change in the dairy supply chain.’
‘Sustainability should feel like an opportunity rather than a burden’
BOARDWALK
Sustainability goes beyond reducing our footprint. As Maartje and Tanja explain, it’s also about how we grow as an organisation – creating a diverse and inclusive environment where different perspectives lead to better decisions. Because building a sustainable future starts with the people behind it.
What is ESG?
And why it matters for Lely
As two women in management at Lely, why does our 2030 goal of 30% women in leadership matter?
Maartje: ‘For me, it’s crystal clear: homogeneous teams might move faster, but diverse teams go further. Different perspectives lead to better decisions. It’s funny that we still need to talk about it – almost like asking if a fish can swim. We still have work to do within Lely, but diversity is about more than just numbers. It’s about creating an environment where everyone can contribute and thrive.’
Tanja: 'I totally agree, Maartje! Take our design process as an example. We now look more consciously at different user perspectives. For instance, making sure that service tasks can be performed by everyone and that our solutions are intuitive and comfortable for all farmers. That’s inclusion in practice. It’s about enabling people to be the best version of themselves. Growth comes from embracing differences. That’s where innovation happens.'
Maartje Bouvy
Maartje studied Business Administration, Economics and Law and holds an Executive Master of Finance and Control
Built broad finance experience across various sectors
Serves as a Non-Executive Board Member on the Supervisory Board of Dutch Flower Group
Joined Lely in 2024 as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and member of the Executive Board
Enjoys spending time with her family and caring for her bees and chickens at home
Tanja Roeleveld
Tanja grew up in Schellinkhout, the Netherlands
Lived in Italy for two years before returning to study at Hotelschool The Hague
Built her career in brand and marketing communications before shifting her focus to sustainability in 2011
Joined Lely in November 2019 as Manager Sustainability
Starts each day with a walk in nature with her dog
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword – it is a shared mindset. From designing energy-efficient robots to rethinking how we work and lead, every choice counts towards a more sustainable future. In this conversation, our Chief Financial Officer Maartje and Head of Sustainability Tanja reflect on how we can all make a difference. They talk about turning ambition into action, our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals, and how diversity and inclusion play a vital role in creating real impact. For the future of farming – and for Lely itself.
What can we learn from others when it comes to making dairy farming more sustainable?
Maartje: ‘When visiting Denmark with the Executive Board, we met with dairy company Arla. They include sustainability performance in how much they pay farmers for their milk, creating a direct link between quality and sustainability. It shows a different way of thinking from which we can learn. Ultimately, we share the same goal: creating a future that is better for the cow, the farmer and the environment.’
Tanja: ‘We are actively involved in the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative, which brings together leading international companies – such as Unilever and Heinz – to work on reducing the footprint of their key ingredients and continuously learn from one another. Our role is to support farmers with technology and insights, helping them take the next step in sustainability. Partnerships like these help us to stay ahead and be part of the change in the dairy supply chain.’
There is a lot of talk about sustainability. But how can Lely turn it into something that inspires people to take action and make a difference?
Maartje: ‘We all share the responsibility to take better care of our planet. That requires genuine ambition and a mindset shift in everything we do. As market leader, we have the chance to create a positive impact, make smarter choices and show what responsible innovation looks like. Sustainability should feel like an opportunity rather than a burden. When it becomes part of everyday decisions, real change follows, benefiting both our footprint and the way we support farmers.’
Tanja: ‘Sustainability is not owned by one team. It touches every part of Lely. Wherever you work, across departments and locations, you can already see progress – especially thanks to new ideas from younger generations. Change starts small: turn off lights, switch off your monitor when you go home, take stairs instead of the elevator, reduce waste. Just begin, see how far you get, and ask for help when you need it. Every little bit helps. When we celebrate those small wins, the bigger ones follow naturally.’
‘Sustainability should feel like an opportunity rather than a burden’
BOARDWALK
