For almost three decades now, Dr. Anna Lartey's has focused her research on maternal child nutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa as a Professor of Nutrition at the University of Ghana. Throughout her career, she has received global recognition and served in numerous leading roles, including the Director of Nutrition at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, based in Rome Italy from October 2013 to December 2020.
As the Associate Director of SIIL based at Kansas State University (KSU), Dr. B. Jan Middendorf conducts research, leads impact assessment and monitoring and evaluation efforts, and is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective partnerships with other U.S. and international institutions, industry, USAID Missions and developmental partners.
Agreement Officer Representative, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Daniel Bailey is an International Agricultural Research Advisor at the USAID Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security, supporting the U.S. Government's global hunger and food security initiative, Feed the Future. He is a trained engineer with expertise in sustainable agriculture, ethical supply chains, watershed management, and data analysis.
Dr. Elizabeth Mitcham's 31-year career at the University of California, Davis, Department of Plant Sciences, and expertise as a postharvest phsyiologist, has led to great advancements in horticulture innovations and the postharvest handling of produce to reduce food loss and waste. Former roles include Cooperative extension specialist, pomologist, and Directors for both the Horticulture Innovation Lab and UC Postharvest Research and Extension Center.
Hazel Malapit coordinates research, training, and technical assistance on implementing the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI), and conducts research on gender, women’s empowerment, agriculture, health, and nutrition issues. Currently, she is Co-Lead of the Methods Module for the CGIAR GENDER Platform, advancing the development of methods and tools for high-quality, impactful gender research.
Kathleen (Katya) Doherty has over 20 years of international development experience in agribusiness marketing, agricultural development and food security programming, and plays a key role in supporting business development and implementation efforts as well as designing and strengthening agricultural market systems activities.
Kushal Naharki is a passionate young changemaker and environment activist from Nepal. He has worked in the field of agriculture, environment and youth empowerment for more than 5 years. He is highly dedicated towards empowering youth and communities through knowledge sharing, training, events, webinars and campaigns.
Dr. Latha Nagarajan is an Applied and Agricultural Economist, with specific focus on project and program evaluation and assessment of agricultural technologies adoption, input market interventions and policy research. She has been also involved in studying the seed systems and markets in south Asia and sub-Saharan African countries with several development partners and works closely the Rutgers University Feed the Future Policy Research Consortium.
Dr. Lusike Wasilwa has over 35 years of research experience in horticulture, molecular plant pathology and horticulture and industrial crop product value chains. Recently, her research efforts focus on mainstreaming biodiversity to contribute to food, nutrition and income security. These efforts are coupled with increased utilization, conservation and commercialization of underutilized fruits. She also promotes use of precision agriculture for increased production and productivity with special emphasis in reduction of losses attributed to pests, diseases, and pre-and-postharvest losses, advancing best production practices.
Maria Esther Bucaro is a talented and connected leader with more than 20 years of experience in senior management-level local and international development multi-sectoral projects, financial, administrative, and personnel management. She manages agricultural programs, with a particular focus on food security and commodity distribution, organizational development, rural agricultural development, economic growth, and extension system development.
Dr. Mary Ann Sayoc represents East-West Seed (EWS) Group globally in various policy-influencing platforms and industry associations that are relevant to the company in this role. She was an Executive Board member of the Global Crop Diversity Trust for six years.
Rafael Flor has 20 years of progressive work experience in international development. He has worked with development institutions, in academia, the private sector, and philanthropy; including the Rockefeller Foundation, Earth Institute at Columbia University, MDG Centre | West & Central Africa, the United Nations Development Programme, and Escuela Agricola Panamericana, Zamorano.
