How does an engineering company balance profit with purpose while transforming the food system? Jill Meiburg, Head of Group Communications and Brand at GEA Group, shares how the 143-year-old German industrial equipment leader is tackling humanity's greatest challenge: feeding 10 billion people by 2050 while achieving net zero by 2040. With 25 years in corporate communications across Deutsche Telecom and logistics giants, Jill now leads the narrative for a company processing every fourth package of pasta and every third chicken nugget globally. "We're not out there just to save the planet. We're out there to make money on this," she explains, highlighting GEA's Mission 30 strategy targeting 60% sustainable solution revenue. The company made headlines by becoming one of the first to implement "Say on Climate" shareholder voting, passing with an impressive 98.5% approval.

Jill Meiburg serves as Head of Group Communications and Brand for GEA Group, a 143-year-old German industrial equipment leader generating 5.4 billion euros in revenue. With 25 years of corporate communications experience across telecommunications and logistics giants including Deutsche Telecom and Deutsche Post's DHL Group, she transitioned to industrial machinery and process technology in 2020. An American working in Germany, Jill studied international relations and became fluent in German through a Robert Bosch Fellowship. She now leads communications for a company processing every fourth package of pasta and every third chicken nugget globally, while driving GEA's ambitious Mission 30 strategy to achieve net zero by 2040 and grow sustainable solution revenue to 60% by 2030.

In This Episode:

● (00:00) Jill's career journey

● (06:41) Transition from telecom to industrial equipment sustainability

● (11:20) GEA's Age of Adoption story and mission transformation

● (17:32) Say on Climate vote and executive compensation alignment

● (21:17) New Wisconsin food application technology center opening

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About the show:

The Age of Adoption podcast explores the monumental transition from a period of social, economic, and environmental research and exploration – an Age of Innovation – to today's world in which companies across the economy are furiously deploying sustainable solutions – the Age of Adoption. Listen as our host, Keith Zakheim, CEO of Antenna Group, talks with experts from across the climate, energy, health, and real estate sectors to discuss what the transition means for business and society, and how corporates and startups can rise above competitors to lead in this new age.

This podcast is brought to you by Antenna Group, a global marketing and communications agency that partners with Fully Conscious brands — those with the courage to lead transformative change across Climate & Energy, Real Estate, Health, and beyond. Our clients include visionary corporations, startups, investors, and nonprofits who recognize that meaningful impact requires more than awareness; it demands bold action. In today's Age of Adoption, where every sector must incorporate sustainable solutions into foundational systems, we amplify brands standing at the forefront of change, shaping a better future for our planet and its people. To learn more, visit antennagroup.com.

Resources: Jill Meiburg LinkedIn Antenna Group Keith Zakheim LinkedIn