Corporate Leadership Team

Shekhar Anantharaman, Executive Director and CEO at ofi
A. Shekhar
Executive Director & CEO

Shekhar was appointed CEO of ofi in January 2020 upon its creation following the reorganization of the Olam Group. Shekhar joined Olam in 1992 and has been an Executive Director and a member of the Group Board since 1998. Shekhar held a variety of roles in the Olam Group, he was previously Group Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director – Finance and Business Development, and prior to this he incubated and managed various global businesses including the Nuts, Spices and Packaged Foods businesses, where he led many of the Company’s organic and inorganic growth initiatives. 

Rishi Kalra, Executive Director and CFO at ofi
Rishi Kalra
Executive Director & CFO

Rishi was appointed CFO of ofi in January 2020 upon its creation following the reorganization of the Olam Group. Rishi began his career with Olam in 2000 and during this period has served as CFO India, CFO West Africa, and President and Global Head of Corporate Finance. He is a founding member of the first Circle of Practice in Asia of The Prince of Wales Charitable Project, Accounting for Sustainability (A4S). A4S inspires action by finance leaders to drive a fundamental shift towards resilient business models and a sustainable economy.

Profile shot of Ashok Kristen, Managing Director and CEO, nuts
Ashok Krishen
Managing Director & CEO, nuts

Ashok is a management graduate with almost 30 years’ experience. He has been with Olam since 1992 and is the Global Head of the nuts business which includes almonds, cashew, hazelnuts, peanuts, pistachios and walnuts. He is also Chairman of the Executive Human Resource and Compensation Committee.

Profile shot of Prakash Jhanwer, Global Head - Sales and New Channels
Prakash Jhanwer
Managing Director and CEO, Spices

Prakash joined Olam in 1998, taking responsibility for coffee operations in Uganda. He moved into the risk function in 2001 and relocated to Vietnam in 2007 to take on the role of Country Head, extending to a regional role in 2010.

 

Since 2016, he has been responsible for Olam’s Southeast Asia and China operations, which he continues to manage today. His key markets include China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea and Thailand.

 

Prakash is a Graduate of Commerce and holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management. He was recently awarded the prestigious Young Alumni Achiever Award by his alma mater for Corporate Leadership.

Profile shot of Vivek Verma, Managing Director & CEO, coffee
Vivek Verma
Managing Director & CEO, coffee

Vivek joined Olam in 1992 to head operations in India. He is currently responsible for the Coffee and Commodity Financial Services businesses. Originally trained as an engineer, Vivek has over 30 years’ agri‑commodities experience.

Profile shot of Sandeep Jan, Managing Director and CEO, diary
Sandeep Jain
Chief Commercial Officer & CEO, Dairy

Having joined Olam in 1998, Sandeep has expertise across all five ofi product platforms. He became CEO of ofi’s Dairy business in 2017, also taking on the role of Global Head of Sales in 2020. As CCO, Sandeep has responsibility for driving sales excellence and customer centricity with more focussed key account management processes. In leading the ofi F&B Solutions platform, Sandeep oversees global strategy execution for the platform enabling it to become a growth driver for the business. He also continues to oversee the Dairy business globally.

 

Sandeep is a Graduate of Commerce and holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.

Profile shot of Tejinder Singh Saraon, Managing Director, cocoa
Tejinder Singh Saraon
Managing Director & CEO, Cocoa

Teji joined Olam in 1997 and went on to manage ofi’s cocoa business in Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Singapore. He moved to London in 2009 to manage the company’s global cocoa beans and products business, returning to Singapore in 2019.

 

He was integral in the integration process following the acquisition of ADM Cocoa in 2015. He is an expert in cocoa trading and origination, and previously served on the Board of Cocoa Association of Asia.

Close up photograph of Ian Haselgrave the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary
Ian Haslegrave
Group General Counsel and Company Secretary

Ian joined ofi in January 2022, taking responsibility for the global legal, compliance and company secretarial teams.

 

Ian has over 30 years of experience working in both private practice and global FTSE listed companies across a diverse range of sectors including food, media and distribution. He has significant commercial, M&A and management experience with previous roles including executive management responsibility for HR, information security, indirect procurement and risk at a global level.   

Close up photograph of Kamesh Ellajosyula the Chief Innovation & Quality Officer
Kamesh Ellajosyula
Chief Innovation & Quality Officer

Kamesh joined Olam in 2010 and held various senior manufacturing, innovation and quality roles. In 2020 he became Chief Innovation & Quality Officer at ofi, overseeing a global network of Innovation centers and driving quality and food safety across 100+ food ingredient manufacturing plants.

 

Kamesh holds a Master’s degree in Food Science from the Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the State University of New York.

Close up photograph of Dan Turney the President & Global Head of Operations
Dan Turney
President & Global Head of Operations

Dan joined ofi in January of 2022, bringing with him 35 years of FMCG food industry experience. His industry experience includes many iconically branded food companies, several private label manufacturing entities as well as multiple private equity portfolio companies. Specializing in end to end operations and supply chain disciplines, Dan’s focus is delivering the ‘one-ofi’ business for all stakeholders across a balanced scorecard of performance. As the global, functional lead for operations, Dan is responsible for aligning and realizing successful, holistic results for ofi across more that 115+ facilities around the globe.

Close up photograph of Sathyamurthy Mayilswamy the CEO & Managing Director – Americas
Sathyamurthy Mayilswamy
CEO & Managing Director – Americas

Sathyamurthy (Satya) joined Olam in 1996 to manage Cashew and Cocoa operations in Nigeria. He moved to Cameroon as Country Head in 2001 before taking the role of Country Head – Nigeria & Benin in 2004. He then established the business across South America in 2007. In 2020 he served as Regional Head for Latin America and head of Cocoa Americas for ofi. He was appointed to his current position leading ofi Americas in 2024.

 

Satya has more than 30 years of international industry experience. He is an agricultural Engineering Graduate from CAE, TNAU (India) and holds an MBA from IRMA (India).

Close up photograph of Yusuke Kurosaki the Senior Vice President, CEO Office
Yusuke Kurosaki
Senior Vice President, CEO Office

Yusuke joined Olam in 2016 and has worked across a wide range of initiatives, including corporate strategy, re-organization & re-structuring, operational excellence and customer excellence.

 

He has been in the food & beverage industry for over 15 years and has held various positions within the sector from supply chain & procurement, international sales & marketing, to business development and M&A.

 

Yusuke holds an MBA from New York University Stern School of Business.

Close up photograph of Usha Kakaria-Cayaux the Chief Human Resources Officer
Usha Kakaria-Cayaux
Chief Human Resources Officer

Usha joined ofi in September 2022, taking responsibility for driving the company’s one-ofi strategy and amplifying its unique entrepreneurial culture leading global diversity, inclusion and equity, organization effectiveness and global talent management.

 

With over 25 years of professional experience across a diverse set of industries and iconic brands, she has expertise across finance, sales, marketing, project management and strategy. Usha has worked across all areas of HR – leading HR strategy, talent management, organization transformation, leadership development and succession. 

Close up photograph of Steve Byers the Chief Digital and Information Officer
Steve Byers
Chief Digital and Information Officer

Steve joined ofi in September 2022, taking responsibility for expanding ofi’s leadership position on sustainability by digitizing traceability, supply chain delivery, and social impact transparency.

 

Steve has over 30 years of experience, which includes working at blue chip global listed companies across a diverse range of sectors including distribution, consumer goods and food ingredients. He holds significant experience in Information Technology (IT) management and leading large-scale digital transformational initiatives.

Roel van Poppel, Chief Sustainability Officer
Roel van Poppel
Chief Sustainability Officer

Roel joined Olam in 2013 as the global commercial lead for its spices business. He then moved internally to lead the award-winning sustainability insights management system AtSource. Most recently, Roel was seconded as a co-founder of the wider industry led sustainability measurement digital platform TRACT. In 2024 he became Chief Sustainability Officer at ofi, with responsibility for scaling ofi’s ability to drive positive impact across its five leading product platforms.

 

With over 25 years of industry experience, spanning senior leadership roles across the food and agriculture sector, he has extensive expertise across both food ingredients and sustainability, along with having held several board positions – including as Vice Chair of The Sustainable Spices Initiative.

 

Roel holds an MSc from Wageningen University in environmental sciences.

Shekhar Anantharaman, Executive Director and CEO at ofi
A. Shekhar
Executive Director & CEO
Rishi Kalra, Executive Director and CFO at ofi
Rishi Kalra
Executive Director & CFO
Profile shot of Ashok Kristen, Managing Director and CEO, nuts
Ashok Krishen
Managing Director & CEO, nuts
Profile shot of Prakash Jhanwer, Global Head - Sales and New Channels
Prakash Jhanwer
Managing Director and CEO, Spices
Profile shot of Vivek Verma, Managing Director & CEO, coffee
Vivek Verma
Managing Director & CEO, coffee
Profile shot of Sandeep Jan, Managing Director and CEO, diary
Sandeep Jain
Chief Commercial Officer & CEO, Dairy
Profile shot of Tejinder Singh Saraon, Managing Director, cocoa
Tejinder Singh Saraon
Managing Director & CEO, Cocoa
Close up photograph of Ian Haselgrave the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary
Ian Haslegrave
Group General Counsel and Company Secretary
Close up photograph of Kamesh Ellajosyula the Chief Innovation & Quality Officer
Kamesh Ellajosyula
Chief Innovation & Quality Officer
Close up photograph of Dan Turney the President & Global Head of Operations
Dan Turney
President & Global Head of Operations
Close up photograph of Sathyamurthy Mayilswamy the CEO & Managing Director – Americas
Sathyamurthy Mayilswamy
CEO & Managing Director – Americas
Close up photograph of Yusuke Kurosaki the Senior Vice President, CEO Office
Yusuke Kurosaki
Senior Vice President, CEO Office
Close up photograph of Usha Kakaria-Cayaux the Chief Human Resources Officer
Usha Kakaria-Cayaux
Chief Human Resources Officer
Close up photograph of Steve Byers the Chief Digital and Information Officer
Steve Byers
Chief Digital and Information Officer
Roel van Poppel, Chief Sustainability Officer
Roel van Poppel
Chief Sustainability Officer

Read ofi news

Events Feb 21, 2025
Meet ofi at Aahar 2025

We are thrilled to announce that ofi will be participating in Aahar 2025, one of the most prestigious and influential food and beverage events in South Asia. As a global leader in natural ingredients and innovative food solutions, we are excited to showcase our expertise and connect with industry leaders, partners, and customers at this premier event.

 

At ofi, we are known for our unique and complementary portfolio of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spice ingredients, crafted with care from plant to palate and bean to blend. Our commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation has positioned us as a trusted partner for food and beverage manufacturers, retailers, and food service providers worldwide.

 

This year, we are taking our legacy a step further by focusing on shaping the future of food and beverage solutions. At our stand, you’ll discover how we deliver value across industries through our innovative and on-trend products tailored for bakery, beverages, dairy, desserts, culinary, savory, and snacking categories.

 

What to Expect at Our Stand:

  • #MakeItReal Solutions Centre: Visit our dedicated space to explore transformative ideas that help you create fresh flavors and bold blends for products that are as delicious, delightful, and natural as possible.

  • Expert Insights: Meet our team of experts to discuss co-creation opportunities and explore how we can collaborate to bring your product visions to life.

  • Sustainability in Focus: Learn about our commitment to sustainability and how we are driving positive change across the food and beverage industry.

 

We invite you to join us at Hall no 5F Stall no 5B to experience our innovative solutions firsthand. Whether you’re looking to enhance your product portfolio, explore new trends, or discuss sustainable practices, our team is here to help you #MakeItReal.

 

ofi at Aahar 2025: Shaping the Future of Food

 

We are also proud to participate in the Aahar Leadership Summit, a platform that brings together the most influential leaders in the food and beverage industry. Join us at Aahar 2025 and let’s explore how we can work together to create a brighter, more sustainable future for the food and beverage industry.

 

Contact Us:
For more information or to schedule a meeting at the event, please reach out to us at salesindia@ofi.com .

We look forward to seeing you at Aahar 2025!

ofi – Innovating for a Better Tomorrow.

Articles Feb 17, 2025
CashewNuss: Advancing Sustainable Cashew Farming in Côte d’Ivoire

Guest Author: Maude Manoukian, Chief Community Officer, Forager Project

 

At Forager Project, our journey has always been about more than just food. We believe that small, thoughtful choices—what we eat, how we source ingredients, and who we partner with—can lead to a more sustainable future.

 

For years, cashews have been at the heart of what we do. They’re the foundation of our creamy Cashewmilk Yogurt, an essential source of protein in our plant-based shakes, and the star ingredient in most of the products we make. But behind every cashew is a farmer, a family, and a community working hard to make a living—often with limited resources and opportunities.

 

That’s why we asked ourselves: What more can we do?

 

The answer: CashewNuss, an initiative we’re launching with ofi and German development agency GIZ as part of our

One Small Step program. Through this partnership, we’re working hand-in-hand with 10,000 cashew farmers in Côte d’Ivoire to support sustainable farming, organic certification, business training, and community development.

 

Why this matters

 

For many cashew farmers in Côte d’Ivoire, their orchards are their only source of income. With just one harvest per year, it can be challenging to provide for their families, invest in their farms, or access the training and resources needed to grow their businesses.

 

Women farmers, in particular, face additional challenges—they often have less access to education, training, and markets, making it harder for them to build financial independence.

 

We believe sustainability isn’t just about the planet—it’s also about people. CashewNuss is about taking small but meaningful steps to support farmers, their families, and their communities in ways that create lasting change.

Press Release Feb 13, 2025
GIZ, ofi and Rikolto expand low carbon agriculture in Ecuador to boost cocoa farmer incomes and cut emissions

ofi, a global leader in food and beverage ingredients and solutions, international NGO Rikolto, and the German Development Agency GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), have today announced a low-carbon agriculture project in Ecuador, which aims to support farmers to mitigate against and adapt to the impacts of climate change on cocoa production.

 

The consortium is co-funded by BMZ and ofi, with Rikolto leading the implementation for ofi’s sustainability programs, including those it delivers for its customers over a three-year period. It seeks to address the impact of unpredictable weather conditions on growing cocoa by training 2,800 farmers in climate-smart agriculture.

 

Climate change poses a significant threat to 1.7 million Ecuadorians dependent on cocoa, with approximately 60% of cocoa farmers relying on cocoa as their main source of income.1

 

The low-carbon agriculture project aims to help support farmers in creating more resilient livelihoods and increasing the efficiency of their cocoa production. By implementing agroforestry, a regenerative farming approach, cocoa can grow alongside other plant species. The technique can help farmers to improve cocoa yields and provide additional income from other planted crops, while sequestering carbon and promoting biodiversity.

 

The training will be delivered through 600 tailored coaching sessions or 'field schools'. Farmers, at least 20% of whom will be women, will be taught to integrate sustainability principles and agricultural standards into existing farming approaches, helping them to boost cocoa productivity and build climate resilience. The project will also produce 40,000 plants of the rare and native Nacional cocoa variety for distribution, housed within an organic cocoa production community nursery.

 

Insights from the project will be generated by leveraging ofi’s award-winning AtSource sustainability management system with best practices and learnings shared with national authorities, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to help inform national climate policy. The project is aligned with Ecuador's REDD+ Action Plan "Forests for Good Living" 2016-2025.

 

1 Ecuadorian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. 2019. Report on cocoa yields

Contact form call to action with the words want to talk, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch today Ofi card

Want to talk?

We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch today.