An Exclusive Interview with Carlsberg’s Julie Folmer-Nieman

On 12 November, Sustainability LIVE will be back with its engaging event series, hosting a virtual event dedicated to exploring how we can leverage D&I to craft a sustainable future - Sustainability LIVE: Diversity & Inclusion.

Throughout the day, those who attend will have the exclusive opportunity to hear from internationally renowned industry experts from organisations such as Accenture, Rakuten TV and SGS Group.

The virtual event will equip attendees with the expertise they need to drive greater innovation, collaboration and positive change.

Join us at Sustainability LIVE: Diversity & Inclusion and explore how you can embed these into your sustainability practices to build a resilient future that protects both our planet and its people. 

To get your free virtual ticket, click here.

To follow Sustainability LIVE on LinkedIn, click here

Julie Folmer-Niemann

Julie Folmer-Niemann is the Global Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Carlsberg. 

Within the company, she aims to drive meaningful change internationally to craft an environment in which people can feel empowered and respected.

At Sustainability LIVE: Diversity & Inclusion, Julie will be delivering a keynote presentation that will focus on ‘Carlsberg’s DE&I Guidebook’, exploring how organisations can create purposeful change through integrating D&I into its sustainability plans. 

We recently caught up with Julie to discover how she is feeling ahead of the event next month, her inspiration for getting involved and her predictions for the future of the sustainability industry.

What inspired you to get involved with Sustainability LIVE: D&I?

I’ve always believed in the power of sharing knowledge in DE&I. When one organisation makes progress in DE&I, it creates ripple effects that benefit everyone, making industries more inclusive as a whole. I’m thrilled that this event is free, which opens doors for those who are just starting out or curious about DE&I. It’s all about making positive change accessible to as many people as possible and I’m happy to be part of it.

Provide us with an overview of what your keynote, ‘Carlsberg’s DE&I Guidebook’, will focus on 

My keynote will be about taking DE&I from a concept to a toolkit for real, measurable change. One of the main challenges in DE&I is getting beyond the 'fluffy' ideas and finding actionable paths forward. To help our leaders make meaningful progress, we’ve created an internal DE&I guidebook specifically for HR directors, filled with data-backed insights to support their initiatives. I’m excited to share how this resource can turn DE&I ideas into practical steps that make a difference.

What do you hope to achieve through Sustainability LIVE: Diversity & Inclusion?

For me, events like this are a fantastic way to keep learning and evolving. Every time I speak, I find the questions and conversations inspire new ideas for my own work. I hope to spark some of that same inspiration in others at this event, creating a space where we can exchange ideas and leave feeling motivated to make real changes in our organisations and communities.

What emerging trends do you believe will shape the future of the sustainability industry over the next decade?

Looking ahead, I believe that successful DE&I strategies will need to be adapted to fit the unique cultural and regional contexts of each area. When we treat DE&I as a one-size-fits-all model, we risk missing out on genuine progress and creating 'DE&I fatigue'. By tailoring strategies to local cultures, we can make a much greater impact, empowering each region to take actions that truly matter to them. I’m hopeful that this approach will lead to more meaningful, sustainable outcomes in the decade ahead.

Diversity & Inclusion at Carlsberg

Diversity & Inclusion lies at the heart of leadership at Carlsberg and is a vital focus in its ‘Together Towards ZERO and Beyond programme’. The company delivers ‘Leading Inclusively’ and ‘Unconscious Bias’ training for its people leaders, as part of its Leadership Capability programmes. 

Carlsberg’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council has been leading the organisation’s DE&I efforts since 2020.

All three regions in which Carlsberg operates are covered by eight senior leaders within the council.

The Council supports the DE&I culture Carlsberg strives to create and creates significant impact across the specific business areas.

Across all areas of the business, leaders will track and manage vital issues that could impact the DE&I strategy, such as female empowerment and gender equity.

Every quarter, active DE&I communities also unite to ensure that the best methods for DE&I can be distributed across the market.

Essential diary dates for 2024 and 2025…

Discover the essential diary dates for Sustainability Magazine and its sister publications – Procurement Magazine and Supply Chain Digital. 

2024 diary dates:

• Sustainability LIVE: Diversity & Inclusion | 12 November 
• NEW | The CSO Network
• NEW | ClimateTech Digital
• NEW | Scope3 Magazine

2025 diary dates: 

• Sustainability LIVE: Malta | 20 February 
• Sustainability LIVE: Net Zero | 5-6 March 
• Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: Sustainability | 5-6 March
• Sustainability LIVE Singapore | 18 March 
• Sustainability LIVE Dubai | 22 April 
• Sustainability LIVE Chicago | 4-5 June 
• Sustainability LIVE: London Climate Action Week | 25 June
• Sustainability LIVE London | 9-10 September 
• Sustainability & ESG Awards | 10 September 
• Sustainability LIVE: DE&I | 11 November

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