Rob Kaplan

Founder & CEO at Circulate Capital

Speaker

Rob Kaplan is Founder and CEO of Circulate Capital, a Singapore-based
investment management firm dedicated to financing companies, projects, and
infrastructure that prevent the flow of plastic waste to the world’s oceans and
advance the circular economy in emerging markets.

Circulate Capital mobilizes catalytic capital to invest across the entire circular
plastic value chain, from innovative materials to advanced recycling technologies.
It was established in partnership with leading global corporations including
PepsiCo, Dow, Danone, Chanel, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, The Coca-Cola
Company and Mondelez International. Circulate Capital invests in local
innovators and operators implementing solutions on the ground to connect them
to the global supply chains. It aims to prove that investing in the sector can
generate competitive returns, while preventing plastic pollution, mitigating climate
change, and improving livelihoods across South and Southeast Asia.

Rob currently sits on the Advisory Committee of the World Economic Forum’s
Global Plastic Action Partnership and on the board of directors at The Circulate
Initiative and Delterra -- independent nonprofits driving system change in
recycling. His expertise also led him to be a Forbes contributor and a recognized
speaker at high level events addressing the role of investors in advancing the
circular economy to fight the plastic pollution and climate crises.

Prior to Circulate Capital, Rob co-founded Closed Loop Partners, an investment
manager focused on the North America circular economy. As Managing Director,
he oversaw the firm’s strategy and new business model development, as well as its
day-to-day operations.

Rob also served as the Director of Sustainability for Walmart where he was
responsible for sustainable packaging, customer engagement and integration
within the consumables business. He led Walmart’s cross-functional efforts to
eliminate 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas from the supply chain.
Before joining Walmart, Rob led corporate responsibility and brand strategy for
the Brown-Forman Corporation, which produces and markets spirit brands
including Jack Daniel’s. He developed marketing strategies to engage consumers,
improve social and environmental performance and advance business objectives.
He received his Master of Business Administration degree from the Haas School of
Business, University of California - Berkeley and a Bachelor’s degree in Political
Communication from The George Washington University.