Episode Details

In this Omni Talk Retail interview, recorded live from the Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit 2026 in Vienna, Chris Walton sits down with Ayla Ziz, Chief Commercial & Customer Officer and SVP Sales Europe at Danone, to discuss how AI, sustainability, and industry collaboration are shaping the future of consumer health.

Ayla shares how Danone is integrating AI into its commercial operations, why the company views AI as an enabler rather than a threat, and how skills-based workforce development is helping employees prepare for an increasingly digital future. She also discusses her leadership role within The Consumer Goods Forum Coalition for Healthier Lives and how retailers and manufacturers are working together to promote healthier diets, improve employee well-being, and drive measurable impact for consumers around the world.

Key Topics Covered:

• Ayla Ziz's role as Chief Commercial & Customer Officer and SVP Sales Europe at Danone

• How AI is transforming commercial operations and decision-making

• Why Danone sees AI as an enabler for speed, scale, and productivity

• Danone's approach to workforce development and AI training

• The importance of skills-based talent management in an AI-driven world

• The meaning behind the phrase "Performance without sustainability has no future"

• How Danone balances business growth with sustainability goals

• Ayla's leadership role in The Consumer Goods Forum Coalition for Healthier Lives

• The coalition's focus on healthier diets, wellness, and employee well-being

• Why defining "healthy" looks different across global markets

• How retailers and manufacturers collaborate around shared health objectives

• The role of industry-wide scorecards and measurement frameworks

• How AI can help scale healthier living initiatives globally

• Why collaboration remains essential to improving consumer health outcomes

• The growing role of technology in advancing public health and wellness

Special thanks to the CGF Leadership Studio sponsored by Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail's coverage in Vienna.