Nominations Open for 2015 Rabobank Leadership Awards

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Aug 31, 2015, 01:00 ET

NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Rabobank North America Wholesale is accepting nominations for its three annual awards that recognize organizations embodying the spirit of leadership, business and environmental sustainability, and innovation in the food and agribusiness (F&A) industry. Nominations will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. EDT on September 25, 2015.

This year, there will be one overall Leadership & Excellence Award for an outstanding company in the F&A industry, along with two awards targeted at emerging leaders who are making great strides in the innovation and sustainability space. All award nominations will be vetted by an independent, third-party consultant, and the winner will be chosen by an external panel of judges.

"We are excited to recognize F&A companies that are looking ahead and helping to make food safe, healthy and available for years to come," said Rajiv Singh, CEO, Rabobank North America Wholesale. "Competing organizations will be assessed on their efforts to drive meaningful innovation, expand into new markets, impact industry dynamics and consumers, and build upon sustainability and social responsibility efforts. We value these qualities because they help ensure food and agribusiness companies will be there in the future, making a difference."

2015 Award Categories

Companies in the F&A industry can either nominate themselves, or nominate another company they feel is deserving of one of the three awards.

Rabobank Award for Leadership & Excellence
The Rabobank Award for Leadership & Excellence is Rabobank's marquis award. It recognizes a true leader in the F&A industry that has embodied the spirit of innovation and business sustainability and had a visible impact within the industry across a wide range of its activities.

This award will be judged based on the following criteria:

Has demonstrated leadership in building, rejuvenating, or expanding a business in the F&A industry;
Has demonstrated industry leadership by setting a new course for sustainable business growth in F&A;
Has demonstrated an excellent track record in social commitments and good corporate citizenship.

Last year, the WhiteWave Foods Company headquartered in Colorado received the Rabobank Award of Leadership & Excellence.

Rabobank Award - Emerging Leader in Sustainability
The Rabobank Emerging Leader in Sustainability Award recognizes an organization that has made significant strides towards both business and environmental sustainability over the last year. The winner may be an established company that is more strongly focusing on sustainability or an up-and-coming organization.

This award will be judged based on the following criteria:

Has a strategy aimed at improving business and social and/or environmental sustainability;
Has demonstrated alignment between sustainability strategy and core business priorities;
Has demonstrated an excellent track record in social commitments and good corporate citizenship.

Nicaragua's Mercon Coffee Group received the 2014 Rabobank Sustainability Award, which is now the Emerging Leader in Sustainability Award.

Rabobank Award - Emerging Leader in Innovation
The Rabobank Emerging Leader in Innovation Award recognizes an up-and-coming organization that addresses issues in the food and agriculture space in a new and innovative way.

This award will be judged based on the following criteria:

Has operated in the industry for ten years or less;
Has addressed a pervasive industry issue in a unique way;
Has made significant achievements as a leader in building, rejuvenating, or expanding a business in the food and agribusiness sector;
Has demonstrated an excellent track record in social commitments and good corporate citizenship.

Canadian-based Clearwater Seafoods Incorporated received the Rabobank Innovation Award in 2014, which is now the Emerging Leader in Innovation Award.

To be considered for any of these awards, the campaign or highlighted work included in the submission must have taken place (either in part or in full) between June 30, 2014 and December 1, 2015. While it is important for work to have occurred during this time, it is not necessary for it to already be completed.

Award winners will be notified by Rabobank in October 2015 and will be honored at the Rabobank Client Week luncheon on December 3, 2015 in New York City.

For more information about these awards or to make a nomination, please email [email protected]. Learn more by following us on Twitter: @RaboWholesale.

About Rabobank
Rabobank Group is a global financial services leader providing wholesale and retail banking, leasing, and real estate services in more than 40 countries worldwide. Founded over a century ago, Rabobank today is one of the largest banks in the world, with nearly $1 trillion in assets, and ranks among the 10 safest banks globally. In the Americas, Rabobank is a premier bank to the food, agribusiness and beverage industry, providing sector expertise, strategic counsel and tailored financial solutions to clients across the entire food value chain.

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SOURCE Rabobank