Ice cream manufacturer Ben & Jerry’s has announced the appointment of three new Independent Directors to its Board of Directors, adding external oversight to safeguard its three-part corporate mission across economic, product, and social objectives.
Joining the board as Class I Directors are civil rights attorney Nora Benavidez, PolicyLink Chief Executive Officer Michael McAfee, and Friends of the San Juans Executive Director Eva Schulte. The appointments follow an executive search conducted alongside a B Corp-certified recruitment agency to evaluate candidates on governance experience, alignment with company values, and legal, social, and environmental expertise.
Under Ben & Jerry’s governance structure, Class I Directors operate independently to safeguard the brand’s social mission, advising executive leadership while offering constructive challenge on community engagement, supply chain sourcing, and progressive advocacy campaigns.
Jochanan Senf, Chief Executive Officer of Ben & Jerry’s, highlighted the importance of the new appointments: “This is an exciting day for Ben & Jerry’s. We make the best possible ice cream in the nicest possible way, and whilst every employee brings our three-part mission to life, these three Independent Directors will play an important role in helping us safeguard and strengthen that mission for the future. They bring deep experience and perspectives that will help us stay connected to the communities and movements we serve. We’re proving a way of doing business where our growth and strength connect directly to social impact, all whilst making delicious ice cream. These Directors understand that and will help us make it even more future-proof.”
Senf added: “Welcoming Nora, Michael and Eva to the Board is a big moment for Ben & Jerry’s and for me personally. I want them to challenge us, push our thinking and help us go further. In a world where speaking out can feel difficult, we need to be bolder than ever. We need to keep showing up, keep listening and keep using the strength of our business and our voice to stand with communities that too often go unheard.”
Nora Benavidez, currently Senior Counsel and Director of Digital Justice & Civil Rights at Free Press, brings a background in First Amendment litigation and technology policy. Commenting on her appointment, Benavidez stated: “Right now, we are seeing the hallmarks of the authoritarian playbook manifest daily. Pressure on advocates, journalists, institutions and everyday people to stay quiet is palpable. Freedom only means something if we are willing to defend it when speaking out is difficult or comes with consequences. We can’t leave it up to chance or goodwill. Ben & Jerry’s has such an exciting role to play — leading with intention and integrity to stand with communities and movements when the easier choice might be to stay silent. As a Director, I am honored to help the company in using its voice with courage.”
Michael McAfee, Chief Executive Officer of PolicyLink, has managed federal equity programs and urban development portfolios, including expanding the Promise Neighborhoods initiative. On joining the board, McAfee noted: “I’ve spent much of my career asking a simple question: who benefits from the systems and institutions we build, and who gets left out? Businesses have real power to shape opportunity, investment and outcomes for communities. On the Board, I want to ask hard questions about who benefits from the company’s decisions and where its business can create greater opportunity. I believe business success and community well-being can reinforce each other, and Ben & Jerry’s has an opportunity to show what’s possible when they do.”
Eva Schulte, Executive Director of Friends of the San Juans and former Chair of the Sierra Club Foundation, brings over two decades of environmental sector management and impact investing experience. Schulte remarked: “I’m honored to join the Ben & Jerry’s Board as an Independent Director. The company’s long-term commitment to environmental and social justice and standing with communities affected by environmental harm aligns closely with the work I’ve spent my life advancing. Ben & Jerry’s has always shown up to support the movement since the early days of my career. I’m eager to bring my experience to the Board and help guide Ben & Jerry’s as it continues to put these values into action into the future.”
The appointments take effect immediately as the company continues to execute its values-led sourcing initiatives, including the Caring Dairy framework and its European refugee support program, the Up Collective.
