Ashok Krishen to serve as Chairman of the INC, leading its vision and global initiatives
During the 2025 INC Congress in Mallorca, Ashok Krishen, Managing Director and CEO of the Olam Food Ingredients (ofi) nuts business, was elected as the new INC Chairman for the next four years. Mr. Krishen succeeds Michael Waring, Chairman and Managing Director of MWT Foods in Australia. As is customary, the appointment was made official when Mr. Waring passed the chairman’s chain to Mr. Krishen at a ceremony held during the Gala Dinner of the Congress in Palma de Mallorca on May 10.
Mr. Krishen brings over a decade of active involvement within the INC to his new role. He has been a member of the INC Board of Trustees since 2011, served on the Executive Committee since 2015, and has held the position of INC Vice Chairman since 2019. He was also an active member of the Scientific and Government Affairs Committee up to 2025, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to advancing the INC.
A global executive, Mr. Krishen is originally from India and currently based in Singapore. His extensive leadership experience at ofi, one of the largest and most influential companies in the sector, gives him a unique, international perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry today.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Krishen shared his enthusiasm for taking on the role of INC Chairman and emphasized a vision rooted in growth, health advocacy, and sustainability. He outlined three top strategic priorities for his chairmanship:
- Accelerate the global consumption of nuts and dried fruits
- Continue to champion the health benefits of our products
- Lead the INC in pioneering sustainability within the food and agriculture sectors
In addition to Mr. Krishen’s elevation to Chairman, the INC Executive Committee announced new leadership appointments to support its strategic direction. Mike Hohmann, Executive Vice President and CFO of Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds in the United States, and Christina Chen, Vice Chairman of ChaCha Food Co., Ltd. in China, have joined the committee from the Board of Trustees, bringing fresh insights from two major markets.
Furthermore, Bill Carriere, CEO of Carriere Family Farms (USA), has been named 1st Vice Chairman, recognizing his longstanding contribution to the industry, and Pino Calcagni, Honorary President of the Besana Group in Italy, will continue in his role as 2nd Vice Chairman.