5 Gamechangers I Met in Antwerp - CEOs Leading Business for Good

When Luba Zaritskaia and Elena Doms, the authors of the new Gamechangers book, invited me to attend their book launch, I had to say YES!

May 22, 2026

When Luba Zaritskaia and Elena Doms, the authors of the new Gamechangers book, invited me to attend their book launch, I had to say YES! As Elena and Zuba would explain, Gamechangers shows what blocks action by businesses, and what actually helps leaders move from intent to impact. Sustainability is a nice buzz word on stage, but in practice, it’s messy and every move has trade-offs. Their book gives readers front-row seats to candid, board-level conversations with CEOs and top decision-makers who take us behind the scenes of how big calls actually get made. Many of the CEOs and decision-makers interviewed for their book are leaders I met during my Changemakers Trip to the Arctic with Walking Softer in the summer of 2024. These are all real people who care deeply about using their power for good and have found the courage to take their own advice, and now we get to learn the practical truth behind their sustainability decisions, including insights from their personal leadership journeys. 

One of my favorite quotes from the book is that “human resilience is a plant that grows only on the soil of courage. It is the courage to act before the path is fully cleared, and the courage to admit that the old rules of the game are no longer valid.” This reminds us that the time to be courageous is now. While at the book launch, I had the privilege of meeting incredible Gamechangers, who model this leadership, including:

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Erwin Verstraelen, VP Innovation, Port of Antwerp-Bruges

Erwin Verstraelen is the Vice President of Innovation at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, where he leads the port’s digital transformation and innovation strategy. With a strong focus on integrating emerging technologies, he has been instrumental in positioning the port as a global leader in smart logistics and industrial innovation. His work spans areas such as digital twins, data platforms, autonomous systems, and cybersecurity, all aimed at improving efficiency, safety, and sustainability. He is also a key figure in fostering cross-sector collaboration, working with startups, research institutions, and industry partners to accelerate innovation in the maritime and logistics ecosystem.

The launch was hosted at the futuristic Havenhuis, at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, which is the second largest port in Europe. The Port was chosen for this event for its game-changing qualities as a highly integrated industrial and logistics hub that is actively shaping the future of global trade. The port is a frontrunner in sustainability, with leaders investing heavily in energy transition initiatives such as hydrogen infrastructure, circular economy models, and carbon capture. Its commitment to innovation, openness to collaboration, and ability to operate as both a physical and digital platform make it a model for next-generation ports worldwide.

Jean Oelwang, CEO at Virgin Unite

Jean Oelwang, Founding CEO of Virgin Unite, is a gamechanger for her ability to reimagine philanthropy as a catalyst for deep, systemic change rather than transactional giving. Over more than 20 years of leadership, she has built and sustained a values-driven organization that prioritizes long-term, trust-based relationships and brings together unlikely allies—from entrepreneurs to activists—to tackle complex global challenges collaboratively. Through some of my favorite initiatives, like The Elders and the B Team, she has helped shift power dynamics by amplifying purpose-led leadership and fostering collective action. What stands out most is her adaptability, a trait she herself identified as one of her greatest strengths, which has enabled her to navigate evolving global challenges, continuously reshape strategy, and keep Virgin Unite responsive, resilient, and impactful over time. She is a true role model for me, and I look forward to seeing her again during London Climate Action Week.

Neil Chatterjee, former Chairman at FERC and Chief of Government Affairs at Palmetto

Due to several canceled flights, Neil Chatterjee, a fellow Arctic Trip buddy, could not make it to the launch, but I have to mention him! Neil stands out as a gamechanger for his ability to bridge political divides and advance pragmatic energy solutions at the highest levels of policy and industry. As former Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), he promoted carbon pricing by advancing a groundbreaking bipartisan Commission policy statement encouraging power grid operators to incorporate state carbon pricing policies into their markets. He played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. energy markets, championing grid resilience, market innovation, and the integration of clean energy technologies within existing systems. Now, as Chief of Government Affairs at Palmetto, he continues to drive forward-thinking policy and public-private collaboration to accelerate the energy transition. What sets Neil apart is his willingness to evolve his perspectives, engage across ideological lines, and focus on actionable, market-based solutions, positioning him as a rare leader capable of translating complex regulatory frameworks into tangible progress on clean energy and climate goals. He is brave for the work he led under the Trump Administration, and for his steadfast commitment to making energy clean, safe, and affordable for all. 

Louis De Jaeger, CEO at Commensalist and award-winning filmmaker of Eat More Trees

Louis De Jaeger is a gamechanger for how he makes regenerative living both practical and inspiring. Blending storytelling with hands-on permaculture design, he translates complex ecological ideas into accessible, actionable solutions—from food forests to resilient landscapes—that individuals and communities can adopt. Through his film Eat More Trees, he reframes how we think about food systems, biodiversity, and climate action, showing that regeneration can be abundant, local, and deeply human. What sets him apart is his ability to bridge vision and implementation, mobilizing people not just to understand sustainability, but to actively live it.

Elena Doms, Co-Author of Gamechangers and Director of Europe at Oxygen Conservation

Last, but not least, my dear friend Elena Doms. She is a Gamechanger who is obsessed with positive impact, the future of her kids, and wanting to protect her home, the Arctic, which is literally melting away. She delivers amazing keynotes, creates Arctic Art, and serves as the Director of Europe at Oxygen Conservation, establishing first regenerative land assets in Europe. I met Elena during our trip exploring the Arctic in Svalbard, Norway, and have had the joy of running into her around the world at various climate events. She has taught me many lessons, one of which is that consistency pays off. No matter how she’s feeling, she has made it a habit to post about her ideas and experiences at least three times per week on LinkedIn. This has led to knowledge exchange with incredible people, the creation of a supportive community, and cool opportunities like writing this book! She was approached on LinkedIn, and after some thought, said yes. She had nine months to write this book, and her writing habits for LinkedIn prepared her for this new project. 

Similarly, I have been approached on LinkedIn to write a book, but never really considered it. Hearing Elena’s story has inspired me to give it more thought and to believe in myself to do it. I also appreciate the simple note she left in my signed copy - “You are a Gamechanger!” 

Luba and Elena hope that Gamechangers reinvigorates “the idea that business can help repair rather than deplete.” After hearing from the speakers and reading about the brave actions of leaders featured in the novel, that possibility feels more real to me too. I hope it does the same for you! 

Gamechangers is now officially live at Amazon and Lulu - check it out.

-Pooja Tilvawala, Walking Softer Ambassador of Change

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A series of entries from our Walking Softer community that  inform, inspire and support change on our planet.

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