Monique Gieskes

Monique Gieskes has been the CEO of Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC), the leading producer of palm oil in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), since February 2021.

Under her leadership, PHC has experienced significant growth while prioritising environmental stewardship and community development. With a legacy of more than 100 years and a workforce of over 10,000 employees, PHC is the DRC’s largest private employer and a champion of sustainable practices and food security. The entirety of PHC’s output is dedicated to domestic consumption, directly supporting local communities and contributing to the nation’s economic growth.

Thanks to her strong commitment to women’s empowerment—an agenda that has driven a 300% increase in female representation at the company in just three years— Monique has positioned PHC as a leader in inclusive and responsible business practices in the region.

Before joining PHC, Monique held various leadership roles, including President of the UN Global Compact in the DRC, where she pioneered initiatives to reintegrate conflict affected women in Eastern DRC.

Monique also participated in the mediation between China and Europe for the revision of Chinese legislation regarding industrial property rights. She has also played a leading role in international organizations like the European Brands Association, the World Customs Organization (WCO), and the African Organization for Intellectual Property (OAPI), supporting efforts to reduce import tariffs, promote intellectual property rights, and combat unfair competition.

Monique Gieskes is a trademark and patent attorney with an MBA from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.