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Dr. Gunhild A. Stordalen

Dr. Gunhild A. Stordalen is a globally respected voice on food systems, health, and sustainability, uniting science, policy, and leadership.

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5 of 5

"Gunhild Stordalen's keynote at the food session of the C40 World Mayors Summit 2025 in Rio de Janeiro was outstanding. She effectively interpreted the context and goal of the session to deliver an impactful message. Gunhild made a compelling case that food is the missing link in climate action and the core opportunity to restore health, planet, and social justice. Her powerful message inspired leadership, positioning cities as the essential force for this global transformation. She possesses a natural ability to translate the complex, urgent science of EAT-Lancet 2.0 and make it instantly accessible, clear, and actionable for a global audience. Furthermore, her skill in panel participation is exceptional; she consistently and effectively pulled the discussion back to the most critical points, ensured focus and drove meaningful outcomes."

C40 Cities team

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Why book Dr. Gunhild A. Stordalen for your next event

  • Brings rare experience from science, global platforms, and UN leadership, translating complex food system challenges into clear, inspiring insights.
  • Trusted by international institutions and coalitions, with a proven ability to unite business, policy, science, and civil society around action.
  • An engaging speaker with deep credibility, combining medical expertise, research background, and real-world global impact.

Non-binding request for Gunhild A. Stordalen

Co-founder of EAT and influential advocate for healthy, sustainable food systems

Dr. Gunhild A. Stordalen is one of the most prominent voices shaping the global conversation on food systems, health, and sustainability. As co-founder and executive chair of EAT, she has been instrumental in building a powerful platform that connects science, policy, business, and civil society. With a background as a medical doctor and scientist, she brings depth, clarity, and urgency to the stage, inspiring audiences to rethink how food systems can support both human and planetary health.

 

Dr. Gunhild A. Stordalen – Vision, Science, and Global Influence

Dr. Gunhild A. Stordalen is the co-founder and executive chair of EAT, a global platform dedicated to transforming food systems in ways that support human health and the planet. Recognized as a highly respected and influential voice in her field, she has played a pivotal role in convening diverse stakeholders to address some of the world’s most interconnected challenges. Her work sits at the intersection of science, policy, and leadership, shaped by a strong commitment to evidence-based action.

Trained as a medical doctor, Gunhild holds a medical degree and a PhD in pathology and orthopedic surgery from the University of Oslo. This scientific foundation underpins her ability to engage credibly with researchers, policymakers, and global decision-makers, while communicating complex issues in an accessible and compelling way.

 

From Foundation to Global Platform

In 2011, Gunhild co-founded the Stordalen Foundation together with her then-husband, Petter A. Stordalen. Building on this work, she went on to launch the EAT Initiative in collaboration with Professor Johan Rockström and the Stockholm Resilience Centre. Under her leadership, EAT developed into a recognized global voice on food system transformation.

A major milestone came in 2016, when Wellcome Trust joined EAT as a core partner. This collaboration significantly expanded EAT’s reach and impact, helping establish it as a central platform for aligning science with action on food, health, and sustainability. Through EAT, Gunhild has helped foster dialogue and cooperation across sectors that often operate in isolation.

 

Leadership on the Global Stage

Gunhild’s influence extends deeply into international policy and governance. In 2020, she was appointed Chair of Action Track 2 for the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, where she led global efforts to promote healthy and sustainable consumption patterns. In this role, she built a broad and diverse coalition of stakeholders, leveraging EAT’s network and credibility to advance shared goals and practical solutions.

She continues to contribute her expertise through numerous boards and advisory groups. These include the UN Food Systems Advisory Group, the UN Scaling Up Nutrition Movement Lead Group, the World Economic Forum’s Stewardship Board on Food Systems, and the Stockholm Resilience Centre’s International Advisory Board. She also serves on the Champions 12.3 coalition of leaders and REQ Capital’s Advisory Board.

 

Networks, Recognition, and Advocacy

Beyond formal leadership roles, Gunhild is actively engaged in influential global networks. She is a member of the Africa Europe Women Leaders Network, an ambassador for Friends of Ocean Action, a member of HELENA, and part of the World Economic Forum’s Champions for Nature community. These roles reflect her broad commitment to sustainability, equity, and long-term systems change.

Her work has been widely recognized. She was named Environmental Hero of the Year by WWF Sweden in 2014 and selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2015. She has been listed among the most influential business communicators in Sweden and ranked among Norway’s most powerful women by Kapital. In 2019, she received the UN Foundation’s Global Leadership Award for her contributions to food systems and was included among the most influential female leaders in climate and Norwegian agriculture. In 2022, she was named one of ELLE’s 100 Women Change-Makers Who Are Shaping the World.

 

Book Dr. Gunhild A. Stordalen for Your Event

As a published scientist and an engaging public speaker, Dr. Gunhild A. Stordalen is known for combining authority with authenticity on stage. Her presentations are grounded in science, enriched by global leadership experience, and delivered with clarity and conviction. She speaks with insight about food systems, health, sustainability, and the power of collaboration across sectors.

When you book Dr. Gunhild A. Stordalen for your event, you invite a speaker who brings depth, global perspective, and the ability to inspire meaningful dialogue and action. A Norwegian national with an international outlook, she continues to shape conversations that matter, leaving audiences informed, motivated, and ready to engage with the future of food and health.

Customer Reviews

5 of 5

"Gunhild Stordalen's keynote at the food session of the C40 World Mayors Summit 2025 in Rio de Janeiro was outstanding. She effectively interpreted the context and goal of the session to deliver an impactful message. Gunhild made a compelling case that food is the missing link in climate action and the core opportunity to restore health, planet, and social justice. Her powerful message inspired leadership, positioning cities as the essential force for this global transformation. She possesses a natural ability to translate the complex, urgent science of EAT-Lancet 2.0 and make it instantly accessible, clear, and actionable for a global audience. Furthermore, her skill in panel participation is exceptional; she consistently and effectively pulled the discussion back to the most critical points, ensured focus and drove meaningful outcomes."

Rated 5.00/5 based on 1 customer reviews

Keynotes

Keynote by Dr. Gunhild A. Stordalen:

The Planetary Health Diet: One Plate, Triple Win

How can one simple plate help deliver better health, lower emissions and more resilient food systems?

In this keynote, I unpack the Planetary Health Diet and show how it can be adapted to any culture and cuisine – and how governments, cities and companies can make the healthy, sustainable choice the easiest choice for everyone.

Going beyond theory, this talk connects the latest science with real-world action. I explore what a planetary health plate actually looks like in different regions of the world, why dietary change matters more than most people realize, and how food choices link directly to climate stability, public health, and economic resilience. Audiences leave with a clear understanding of why food sits at the heart of global challenges – and how one shared framework can support solutions at scale.

Request a quote: Gunhild A. Stordalen The Planetary Health Diet: One Plate, Triple Win

Keynote by Dr. Gunhild A. Stordalen:

Food Systems in the Safe and Just Space

Less than 1% of the world’s population lives within a “safe and just” food space today.

I explain what this means in practice, why food is now the main driver of several planetary boundaries, and how we can redesign food systems so people can thrive without breaking the limits of the planet.

This keynote introduces the concept of the safe and just space for food in a clear and accessible way. I explore how current food systems undermine both planetary stability and human well-being, and why incremental change is no longer enough. By linking environmental limits with social outcomes, the talk offers a compelling vision for food systems that nourish people, protect ecosystems, and support long-term prosperity.

Request a quote: Gunhild A. Stordalen Food Systems in the Safe and Just Space

Keynote by Dr. Gunhild A. Stordalen:

Justice at the Heart of Food

Poor diets and unhealthy food environments steal health, opportunity and dignity.

This talk explores food through a justice lens: who gets what, whose knowledge counts, and who has a voice. I share concrete ideas for putting rights, fairness and agency at the center of food policy, business strategy and community action.

Drawing on global examples, this keynote highlights how power, access, and inequality shape what ends up on our plates. It challenges audiences to rethink food not just as a commodity, but as a fundamental driver of equity and social outcomes. The focus is on practical pathways for embedding justice into decision-making, ensuring food systems work for people across income levels, geographies, and cultures.

Request a quote: Gunhild A. Stordalen Justice at the Heart of Food

Keynote by Dr. Gunhild A. Stordalen:

From Science to Shop Floor: How Business Can Lead the Food Transformation

Retailers, brands and food companies are now some of the most powerful health actors in the world.

In this keynote, I translate the EAT–Lancet science into a practical playbook for business: how to align portfolios with healthy, sustainable diets, shift demand with pricing and placement, and build partnerships that move entire markets.

This talk speaks directly to business leaders navigating growing expectations around health, sustainability, and transparency. I show how science-based targets can be operationalized across value chains, why food environments matter as much as consumer choice, and how collaboration can unlock competitive advantage. The result is a clear, actionable framework for companies ready to lead rather than follow.

Request a quote: Gunhild A. Stordalen From Science to Shop Floor: How Business Can Lead the Food Transformation

Keynote by Dr. Gunhild A. Stordalen:

Feeding 10 Billion Well on a Finite Planet

Can we really feed nearly 10 billion people healthy food within planetary boundaries?

Drawing on new, IPCC-style modelling from the EAT–Lancet Commission, I show what happens if we change what we eat, how we produce, and how much we waste – and why diet change is the single most powerful lever we have. And what actions we can take to make it become reality.

This keynote confronts one of the defining questions of our time with clarity and evidence. I unpack what the data tells us about future food demand, environmental limits, and human health, while focusing on realistic solutions. The audience gains a grounded understanding of what must change, what is possible, and how collective action can turn ambition into outcomes.

Request a quote: Gunhild A. Stordalen Feeding 10 Billion Well on a Finite Planet

Keynote by Dr. Gunhild A. Stordalen:

The New Mandate for Leaders: Food, Climate and Health in One Agenda

For governments, cities, investors and CEOs, food is now central to climate, health and inequality goals.

This talk offers a clear, hopeful roadmap: the three big goals, the key levers, and the coalitions we need. I highlight early movers and practical steps any leader can take to turn food from a risk into a strategic opportunity.

Designed for decision-makers, this keynote reframes food as a leadership issue rather than a sectoral one. I explore how aligning food strategies with climate and health goals can unlock faster progress, reduce risk, and create long-term value. The focus is on leadership choices, cross-sector collaboration, and the actions that separate ambition from impact.

Request a quote: Gunhild A. Stordalen The New Mandate for Leaders: Food, Climate and Health in One Agenda

Keynote by Dr. Gunhild A. Stordalen:

Communities for Action: Turning Food Science into Real-World Change

Science alone doesn’t transform food systems—people do.

Here I share how EAT is working with retailers, farmers, cities, youth and others to co-create sector “playbooks” for action. The focus is on building unusual alliances, sharing what works, and creating a positive, evidence-based space for bold experimentation.

This keynote brings the transformation journey down to ground level. I explore how trust, participation, and shared learning accelerate change, and why collaboration across sectors is essential for lasting impact. Audiences gain insight into how science becomes action when communities, institutions, and leaders work together with purpose and ambition.

Request a quote: Gunhild A. Stordalen Communities for Action: Turning Food Science into Real-World Change

Welcome to the Fight for Our Food Future | Dr. Gunhild Stordalen | Stockholm Food Forum 2025

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