Olaf van der Veen
co-founder and Chief Impact & Innovation Officer
Olaf van der Veen
Olaf van der Veen is the co-founder and Chief Impact & Innovation Officer at Orbisk, a Dutch food-tech company using AI to help professional kitchens measure, manage, and eliminate food waste. Over the past seven years as CEO, he transformed a bold idea into a global sustainability movement. With a background in chemistry and data analytics, Olaf combines scientific insight with entrepreneurial drive to prove that technology can drive real-world impact. He has helped guide Orbisk through milestones including an oversubscribed Series A and global expansion efforts, and he frequently speaks about combining technology, purpose, and practical change to tackle food waste at scale.
Biography
As Executive Chef Director of Nutrition Services for Cheney Public Schools since 2015, LJ has revolutionized K-12 dining by creating scratch-made, nutritious meals while championing sustainable practices to minimize food waste. His innovative approaches inspire students to embrace healthy, eco-conscious food choices. Beyond schools, LJ consults nationwide, collaborating with early childhood programs, the Washington Fire Chiefs Association to integrate sustainable menus into fire stations, and the Department of Defense to educate military families. As the founder of Richland Community College’s Culinary Arts Institute, he empowered future chefs to prioritize sustainability.
On the panel, LJ will share practical strategies to combat food waste, drawing on his servant leadership philosophy and culinary expertise. Using food as a universal language, he’ll challenge attendees to rethink waste through purpose-driven solutions, from community kitchens to institutional reforms, inspiring actionable change for a more sustainable future.
Sessions
2/24/26
9am-Rising Collection Costs- Celebrity Ballroom
2/25/26
11am- Food Waste in Education- Celebrity E
