Mette Lykke Helps Keep Food Out of the Trash in 19 Countries

This article is part of a Women and Leadership special report highlighting the work by women around the world addressing climate change.There is a connection between Mette Lykke’s childhood and her role as the chief executive of Too Good to Go, a company that calls itself “the world’s largest marketplace for surplus food.”Founded in Copenhagen in 2015 by a group of entrepreneurs, the company is active in 19 countries and connects more than 100 million registered users with 177,000 food businesses to minimize food waste and mitigate climate change.Its partners include Whole Foods Market, Starbucks and ALDI supermarkets; small and family-owned businesses are also part of the mix.Ms.

Lykke, 43, grew up in rural Denmark with parents who taught her to waste as little as possible.On a bus ride in Copenhagen in 2016, through a chance encounter with a fellow rider, she learned about Too Good to Go and was compelled by its mission.At the time, Ms.

Lykke worked in technology start-ups.She became an investor, and the founders, knowing of her success developing a fitness app, Endomondo, and her commitment to their cause, chose her to lead the company as chief executive in 2017.The organization reached its current size under Ms.

Lykke’s leadership and continues to expand its reach.The following interview with her was conducted by video and through email.

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