HANNEKE FABER, HAJIR HAJJI AND FEIKE SIJBESMA HONOURED AS 2026 RISE & LEAD CHANGEMAKERS

Global business leaders recognised in The Hague for purposeful leadership, organisational transformation and measurable impact

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS, September 16, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Rise & Lead Women honoured Hanneke Faber, CEO of Logitech; Hajir Hajji, CEO of Action; and Feike Sijbesma, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Royal Philips and former CEO of Royal DSM, as the 2026 Rise & Lead Changemaker Honourees.

The award was presented on 10 September at Hilton The Hague during the 5th Rise & Lead Awards, held alongside the ninth Summit, themed "Leading with Purpose in the Age of AI."

The award recognises leaders whose work transforms organisations, creates opportunities and benefits business and society through purposeful, measurable and sustained changemaking efforts worldwide.

"Hanneke Faber, Hajir Hajji and Feike Sijbesma represent three remarkable leadership journeys. Their achievements demonstrate the power of purposeful leadership and creating opportunities for others to grow. We were delighted to recognise them," said Robert Baker, Chair of the Rise & Lead Distinguished International Jury.

"Their leadership goes beyond personal achievement. Each has used their position and influence to transform organisations, develop people and contribute to society. We were honoured to celebrate them as our 2026 Changemakers," said Ebere Akadiri, Founder of Rise & Lead Women.

Hanneke Faber - CEO, Logitech

Hanneke Faber joined Logitech as CEO on 1 December 2023. Her 30-year career includes leadership at Unilever, Ahold Delhaize and Procter & Gamble, transforming multibillion-dollar businesses.

Before Logitech, Faber led Unilever's $14 billion Nutrition business across 150 countries, including Knorr, Hellmann's, research and development, food-service operations and approximately 60 factories.

Today, Faber leads Logitech's global business and transformation. Women hold 50% of its leadership positions. Logitech reviews compensation equity worldwide each year, supports hybrid work and advances women and girls in technology.

"I love that the Rise & Lead Awards recognise people and organisations taking intentional, measurable action to advance women's leadership. That is exactly what we aim to do at Logitech. I hope this recognition encourages other companies and leaders to stay the course or accelerate their changemaking efforts. Changemaking is not about perfection. It is about progress, courage and action," Faber said.

Hajir Hajji - CEO, Action

Hajir Hajji joined Action as a store assistant in 1997, when it had 13 stores. She advanced through operational and commercial roles before becoming CEO.

Action has more than 3,500 stores, close to 85,000 colleagues from over 150 nationalities, and 22 million weekly customers. In 2025, it created 4,500 jobs and promoted 3,700 colleagues. Hajji credits its people and values for its success.

"It is a real honour to accept this recognition and to share it with all my Action colleagues from many different backgrounds. They are the beating heart of Action and the driving force behind our success. Our journey together has shown me that talent is everywhere, and that people truly thrive when they are given the same chances and room to grow. That is what I see at Action every day, and it makes me proud," Hajji said.

Feike Sijbesma - Chairman, Supervisory Board, Royal Philips

Feike Sijbesma led Royal DSM from 2007 to 2020, transforming it from a bulk-chemical producer into a global Life & Materials Sciences company focused on nutrition, health and sustainability. He made innovation and women's advancement business priorities.

He chairs Royal Philips' Supervisory Board and founded Darwin International. His global roles span climate adaptation, the World Bank, the IMF, the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum.

"I am honoured to receive the 2026 Rise & Lead Changemaker Award. Throughout my career, I have seen that organisations are stronger when they create opportunities for people with different perspectives, experiences and talents to lead and contribute. For me, purposeful leadership means looking beyond immediate results and asking how we can build organisations that create lasting value for both business and society. That requires a long-term view, and the courage to maintain that focus when short-term pressures are strong," Sijbesma said.

About Rise & Lead Women

Founded in 2018 by Ebere Akadiri, Rise & Lead Women develops women for top leadership roles through proven leadership programmes, corporate partnerships, a global community and strategic convenings.

The 2026 Summit convened leaders and changemakers to examine responsible AI, trust, human judgement and the importance of diverse voices shaping work. Read the full biographies of our 2026 Rise & Lead Changemaker Honourees

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