Executive Committee

Ms. Margarita Astralaga, Co-Chair

Ms. Margarita Astralaga is a Colombian biologist and Regional planner who has worked more than 40 years with Government agencies, NGOs and international organizations. Read More>>

Spain

Mr. Gary Burniske

Mr. Burniske is a specialist in international relief and development, with a technical focus on sustainable agriculture, forestry and natural resource management. He is the Managing Director of the Center for Global Food Security at Purdue University, USA. Read More>>

USA

Dr. Valasia Iakovoglou

Dr. Valasia Iakovoglou is a distinct graduate of Iowa State University, USA. She has more than 25 years of international research and teaching experience as an Urban Forester. Read More>>

Greece

Dr. Sarada Prasad Mohapatra

Dr. Sarada is an Associate Professor & Head of Department of Botany & Environmental Sciences at Narasingh Choudhury Autonomous College, Jajpur, Odisha, India. He is UN Food System Hero, an Independent Dialogue Convener of UNFSS from India, and a full member of CFN. He is also a distinguished member of Committee on Food Security, FSN, FAO, UN.Read More >>>

India

Mr. Frank Richard Turyatunga

A seasoned professional, scientist, diplomat and senior environmental manager with over 30 years’ experience who has served at local, national, regional and global levels, formerly worked as the Director and Regional Representative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in the Africa region, and a member of the UNEP Senior Management Team. Read More >>>

India

Dr. Patrick Cortbaoui

Dr. Cortbaoui is an internationally recognized and active scientist, and bioresource engineer, providing solutions to alleviate food insecurity in different regions of the world including North America, Latin America & the Caribbean, Africa, Middle East and Asia. He currently serves as the Managing Director at the Margaret A. Gilliam Institute for Global Food Security of McGill University, strengthening the Institute’s role and partnership between academia, the private sector, governments and NGOs. Learn More

Canada

Ghefogha Yimbuh

Mr. Ghefogha Yimbuh

Mr. Yimbuh is the Financial Adviser & facilitator for the Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network (CSAYN). In his role as CFO for CSAYN, he brings a wealth of expertise in financial systems, digital transformation, and climate protection, with a particular focus on automation and the transition to paperless processes within the banking sector. Read More >>>

Cameroon

Dr. Debisi Araba

Dr. ‘Debisi Araba Dr. Debisi Araba is a public policy and strategy specialist and is a visiting researcher at Imperial College London. Research Fellow at Imperial College London and former Managing Director, African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF). His contributions have reshaped policies, strategies, and partnerships for a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future. With a Doctorate degree from the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London, Dr Araba’s expertise lies in bridging evidence-based research with environmental policy in developing nations. His insights have been instrumental in crafting strategies that address the unique challenges of our changing world. Read More>>

United Kingdom

Anant Dhillon

Mr. Anantdeep Singh Dhillon

Mr. Anant is an International Development professional, he works in the financial administration sector with a Provincial Government in Canada. He is also a freelance Global Agricultural Consultant, an ardent advocate for Peace & Sustainable Development, Critical thinker, an alumnus for Major Group of Children & Youth Alumni for UN Commission for Sustainable Development Youth Caucus. He volunteers his spare time towards the advisory and governing boards of many global organizations. Read More >>>

Canada