Seth Goldman

Seth Goldman is a prominent entrepreneur known for his significant contributions to socially responsible business practices. He is the Chair of Tony's Mission Lock at Tony's Chocolonely, a role he assumed as part of a new governance structure introduced in June 2023 aimed at safeguarding the company's mission to eliminate child and illegal labor in the chocolate supply chain.

Background and Career

Goldman is the Founder of Honest Tea, a pioneering organic beverage company, and Eat the Change, which focuses on sustainable food practices. He also serves as the Chair of Beyond Meat, a company known for its plant-based meat products. His extensive experience in growing mission-driven companies under various shareholder structures positions him as a leader in the field of impact entrepreneurship.134

Role at Tony's Chocolonely

As the first chair of Tony's Mission Lock, Goldman oversees a legal mechanism designed to protect the company's mission indefinitely, regardless of changes in shareholder structure. This structure includes a "golden share," which grants him and two other Mission Guardians—Ikenna Azuike and Anne-Wil Dijkstra—the authority to prevent any alterations to the company's foundational mission and principles without their consent.124 The Mission Lock aims to ensure that Tony's Chocolonely remains committed to its ethical sourcing principles and social impact goals over the long term.35

Vision and Impact

Goldman has expressed his commitment to representing and safeguarding Tony's mission, emphasizing that he does not intend to be a shareholder in the company. This decision allows him to prioritize the company's ethical standards without conflict of interest. He believes that this governance model could serve as an inspiration for other companies seeking to secure their social missions permanently.34

Through his leadership, Goldman aims to create a robust framework that not only protects Tony’s mission but also sets a precedent for other impact-driven organizations.5