Speakers and Moderators
Monday, June 8th: Food Safety in the Time of COVID-19: The importance of maintaining and strengthening international cooperation in times of isolation
Speaker: Tom Heilandt
Tom Heilandt is a German citizen with degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science. From 1990-1994 he worked in chemical industry (BAYER) and enterprise consulting (Trinzic Corp, Aion Corp).
After passing the national competitive exam of the United Nations Secretariat, he worked from 1994-1998 in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in Geneva in Secretariat of the Agreements on international regulations for the transport of dangerous goods.
From 1998-2005, he was Secretary of the UNECE Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards.
In 2005, he joined the Codex Secretariat in Rome as Senior Officer responsible for communication. In October 2014, the Directors General of FAO and WHO appointed him to the position of Secretary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Tom Heilandt is a German citizen with degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science. From 1990-1994 he worked in chemical industry (BAYER) and enterprise consulting (Trinzic Corp, Aion Corp).
After passing the national competitive exam of the United Nations Secretariat, he worked from 1994-1998 in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in Geneva in Secretariat of the Agreements on international regulations for the transport of dangerous goods.
From 1998-2005, he was Secretary of the UNECE Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards.
In 2005, he joined the Codex Secretariat in Rome as Senior Officer responsible for communication. In October 2014, the Directors General of FAO and WHO appointed him to the position of Secretary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Moderator: Thomas Pesek
Thomas Pesek has over fifteen years of experience in sustainable agriculture and food security, resource mobilization, partnership-brokering, development finance, advocacy and external liaison. He joined FAO in September 2017 after having worked at IFAD for 12 years. Prior to that he worked for WFP and at UN Headquarters in New York.
Thomas Pesek has over fifteen years of experience in sustainable agriculture and food security, resource mobilization, partnership-brokering, development finance, advocacy and external liaison. He joined FAO in September 2017 after having worked at IFAD for 12 years. Prior to that he worked for WFP and at UN Headquarters in New York.
Tuesday, June 9th: Leveraging Information for Food Safety Policies and Systems Improvements
Speaker: Jack Elliot
Jack Elliot is a Regional Director for Africa and Senior Scientist, Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture and Development, Endowed Chair for International Agriculture and Extension Education and Professor of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications
Dr. Elliot served two terms as the Department Head for Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications (ALEC) at Texas A&M University. He provided leadership for almost 1,500 students, and 80 faculty and staff. Dr. Elliot received his B.S. and M.A. from Washington State University. He received his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. While he was Department Head, he initiated external and internal advisory committees that helped raise resources for a new agricultural mechanics facility, a video production laboratory, scholarships, and other departmental initiatives. Recently, Dr. Elliot was selected as the first recipient of the “Shirley B. and Daniel C. Pfannstiel ’49 Chair for International Agriculture Development and Extension Education.”
Jack Elliot is a Regional Director for Africa and Senior Scientist, Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture and Development, Endowed Chair for International Agriculture and Extension Education and Professor of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications
Dr. Elliot served two terms as the Department Head for Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications (ALEC) at Texas A&M University. He provided leadership for almost 1,500 students, and 80 faculty and staff. Dr. Elliot received his B.S. and M.A. from Washington State University. He received his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. While he was Department Head, he initiated external and internal advisory committees that helped raise resources for a new agricultural mechanics facility, a video production laboratory, scholarships, and other departmental initiatives. Recently, Dr. Elliot was selected as the first recipient of the “Shirley B. and Daniel C. Pfannstiel ’49 Chair for International Agriculture Development and Extension Education.”
Speaker: Fatemeh Malekian
Fatemeh Malekian, Ph.D. is a professor of Food Science and Director of Southern Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Wellness at Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. She has been conducting research, Project Director and Co-Project Director on numerous projects in the area of obesity and obesity-related diseases, food and animal products to determine nutritional content in comparison to other foods, and food safety. As a lead trainer for produce safety and instructor for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and ServSafe she has conducted trainings and workshops in the areas of produce safety, seafood, juice, meat, poultry and retail HACCP, and better processing schools nationally and internationally in countries such as Armenia, Kenya, Malawi, China and Iran. Dr. Malekian has been author and co-author of a number of journal articles and fact sheets and has received national and international awards for her professional accomplishments and community service.
Fatemeh Malekian, Ph.D. is a professor of Food Science and Director of Southern Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Wellness at Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. She has been conducting research, Project Director and Co-Project Director on numerous projects in the area of obesity and obesity-related diseases, food and animal products to determine nutritional content in comparison to other foods, and food safety. As a lead trainer for produce safety and instructor for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and ServSafe she has conducted trainings and workshops in the areas of produce safety, seafood, juice, meat, poultry and retail HACCP, and better processing schools nationally and internationally in countries such as Armenia, Kenya, Malawi, China and Iran. Dr. Malekian has been author and co-author of a number of journal articles and fact sheets and has received national and international awards for her professional accomplishments and community service.
Speaker: Abdelaziz Lawani, Eastern Kentucky University, and Global Partners & Africa Goes Digital
Fulbright Scholar and Norman Borlaug Fellow, Dr. Lawani is a serial social entrepreneur who has translated during the last decade his researches into concrete solutions for development. The social impact of his works led him to feature among the 35 under 35 young innovators in francophone countries in 2016 and the Clinton Foundation honor roll in 2017. A faculty at Eastern Kentucky University, he is also the founder of Global Partners. His research activities lie at the intersection of machine learning, remote sensing (drones and satellite), and economics. Dr. Lawani holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Kentucky, a Master’s degree in Economics from North Carolina State University, and a Master’s in Agronomy, Economics, and Rural Sociology from the University of Abomey-Calavi. 2017 AIARD Future Leader scholar, Dr. Lawani is actively working on the impact of drone technology adoption on farm productivity, health, conservation, and urban planning.
Fulbright Scholar and Norman Borlaug Fellow, Dr. Lawani is a serial social entrepreneur who has translated during the last decade his researches into concrete solutions for development. The social impact of his works led him to feature among the 35 under 35 young innovators in francophone countries in 2016 and the Clinton Foundation honor roll in 2017. A faculty at Eastern Kentucky University, he is also the founder of Global Partners. His research activities lie at the intersection of machine learning, remote sensing (drones and satellite), and economics. Dr. Lawani holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Kentucky, a Master’s degree in Economics from North Carolina State University, and a Master’s in Agronomy, Economics, and Rural Sociology from the University of Abomey-Calavi. 2017 AIARD Future Leader scholar, Dr. Lawani is actively working on the impact of drone technology adoption on farm productivity, health, conservation, and urban planning.
Speaker: Service Opare
Service Opare currently holds the dual positions of Acting Director of Nunavut Bureau of Statistics and Faculty Member for Physical Geography at the Vancouver-based University Canada West. Service graduated from the University of Calgary, Canada, in 2009 with a PhD in Geography (Environment and Development Specialization). Prior to his doctoral qualification, he studied at the University of Ghana, University of Oslo and Erasmus University's the International Institute of Social Studies (The Hague). He also worked with Ghana’s Department of Community Development and The Hunger-Project-Ghana during which he provided implementation support for projects funded by KfW, DANIDA, UNICEF and other international agencies. Service is a member of AIARD and has published internationally on climate change and other issues.
Service Opare currently holds the dual positions of Acting Director of Nunavut Bureau of Statistics and Faculty Member for Physical Geography at the Vancouver-based University Canada West. Service graduated from the University of Calgary, Canada, in 2009 with a PhD in Geography (Environment and Development Specialization). Prior to his doctoral qualification, he studied at the University of Ghana, University of Oslo and Erasmus University's the International Institute of Social Studies (The Hague). He also worked with Ghana’s Department of Community Development and The Hunger-Project-Ghana during which he provided implementation support for projects funded by KfW, DANIDA, UNICEF and other international agencies. Service is a member of AIARD and has published internationally on climate change and other issues.
Moderator: Susan Karimiha
Susan Karimiha, Ph.D. is a recent graduate of the LSU School of Leadership and Human Resource Development. Susan’s goal is to use her research findings to improve poverty throughout the world, through more effective human resource development. Her research areas include economic development, workforce development, agricultural development, information systems, leadership, and human capital. Through effective human resource development research and training, she wants to help develop sustainable solutions to peace, global resource security and economic development for future generations. Susan has 10+ years of experience leading projects in over 35 countries, including Armenia, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Kosovo, and Honduras. She has been awarded an ERASMUS Fellowship at the University Grenoble Alps in Grenoble, AIARD Future Leader’s Fellowship, and a dissertation award from the National Agriculture University of Honduras for her work in international agricultural development.
Susan Karimiha, Ph.D. is a recent graduate of the LSU School of Leadership and Human Resource Development. Susan’s goal is to use her research findings to improve poverty throughout the world, through more effective human resource development. Her research areas include economic development, workforce development, agricultural development, information systems, leadership, and human capital. Through effective human resource development research and training, she wants to help develop sustainable solutions to peace, global resource security and economic development for future generations. Susan has 10+ years of experience leading projects in over 35 countries, including Armenia, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Kosovo, and Honduras. She has been awarded an ERASMUS Fellowship at the University Grenoble Alps in Grenoble, AIARD Future Leader’s Fellowship, and a dissertation award from the National Agriculture University of Honduras for her work in international agricultural development.
Wednesday, June 10th: Mainstreaming Food Safety: Ag Production Challenges and Technology Solutions
Speaker: Jean-Claude Bizimana
Jean-Claude Bizimana is an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University (TAMU), currently working for the Feed the Future Innovation Laboratory for Small Scale Irrigation project. This USAID-funded project is led by TAMU and implemented in Ethiopia, Ghana and other parts of West Africa. His main research field relates to farm level simulation analysis using a Monte Carlo approach to evaluate economic and nutritional impacts of alternative farming technologies on family farms. He has more than 15 years of experience working in international agricultural and rural development sectors in Rwanda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Mali. Jean Claude received several awards including the 2019 BIFAD award for research excellence and is a 2012 AIARD Future Leader scholar. Jean-Claude Bizimana graduated with a BSc in Soil Sciences from the National University of Rwanda, an MSc in Agricultural Extension from Michigan State University and a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University.
Jean-Claude Bizimana is an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University (TAMU), currently working for the Feed the Future Innovation Laboratory for Small Scale Irrigation project. This USAID-funded project is led by TAMU and implemented in Ethiopia, Ghana and other parts of West Africa. His main research field relates to farm level simulation analysis using a Monte Carlo approach to evaluate economic and nutritional impacts of alternative farming technologies on family farms. He has more than 15 years of experience working in international agricultural and rural development sectors in Rwanda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Mali. Jean Claude received several awards including the 2019 BIFAD award for research excellence and is a 2012 AIARD Future Leader scholar. Jean-Claude Bizimana graduated with a BSc in Soil Sciences from the National University of Rwanda, an MSc in Agricultural Extension from Michigan State University and a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University.
Speaker: Rafael Quijada Landaverde
Rafael Quijada Landaverde is a Ph.D. student and Research Associate in the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership with a focus on international development at The Ohio State University. Before coming to Ohio, Rafael received a B.S in Environment and Development Engineering from Zamorano University (Honduras), and an M.Sc. in Agricultural Education from Texas Tech University (TTU). Rafael’s research is looking to identify and disseminate innovative water governance models and tools that will help accelerate eliminating extreme poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa. Rafael has worked on community development projects in Honduras, Nicaragua, Ecuador, and in his native El Salvador.
Rafael Quijada Landaverde is a Ph.D. student and Research Associate in the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership with a focus on international development at The Ohio State University. Before coming to Ohio, Rafael received a B.S in Environment and Development Engineering from Zamorano University (Honduras), and an M.Sc. in Agricultural Education from Texas Tech University (TTU). Rafael’s research is looking to identify and disseminate innovative water governance models and tools that will help accelerate eliminating extreme poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa. Rafael has worked on community development projects in Honduras, Nicaragua, Ecuador, and in his native El Salvador.
Speaker: Keith Poe
Keith Poe is the Agriculture and Rural Development Manager at American Nicaraguan Foundation (ANF). He is a rural enterprise and agriculture development practitioner with over 15 years of practical experience in Nicaragua, Haiti, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. He holds a BA in History from Messiah College and a Master’s in Professional Studies from Cornell University in International Agriculture and Rural Development. He also has an MBA from Universidad Centroamericana in Managua. He lives on an alive and organic coffee farm in Diriamba, about an hour south of Managua.
Keith Poe is the Agriculture and Rural Development Manager at American Nicaraguan Foundation (ANF). He is a rural enterprise and agriculture development practitioner with over 15 years of practical experience in Nicaragua, Haiti, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. He holds a BA in History from Messiah College and a Master’s in Professional Studies from Cornell University in International Agriculture and Rural Development. He also has an MBA from Universidad Centroamericana in Managua. He lives on an alive and organic coffee farm in Diriamba, about an hour south of Managua.
Speaker: Maria Jones
Maria Jones, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is multifaceted development professional with a passion to empower smallholder farmers, especially women and youth, to access social innovations and services that lift families out of poverty. She currently serves as the Associate Director of the ADM Institute for Prevention of Postharvest Loss (ADMI) at the University of Illinois. Prior to ADMI, Maria worked on different USAID food security programs with a focus on gender integration, early-stage technologies, extension strengthening, and organizational capacity building. Maria holds an MBA from the Gies College of Business and an MS in Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois.
Maria Jones, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is multifaceted development professional with a passion to empower smallholder farmers, especially women and youth, to access social innovations and services that lift families out of poverty. She currently serves as the Associate Director of the ADM Institute for Prevention of Postharvest Loss (ADMI) at the University of Illinois. Prior to ADMI, Maria worked on different USAID food security programs with a focus on gender integration, early-stage technologies, extension strengthening, and organizational capacity building. Maria holds an MBA from the Gies College of Business and an MS in Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois.
Moderator: Ariel Rivers
Ariel Rivers currently serves as the Pacific Region Representative for the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). She supports local conservation districts and partners in 6 western states and 5 overseas territories in their efforts to conserve natural resources across public and private lands, while promoting the use of best practices in both urban and rural agricultural spaces. Prior to NACD, Ariel served as a Postharvest Coordinator for Latin America at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center and helped to launch the Global Locust Initiative at Arizona State University. She holds a dual-title doctorate in Entomology and International Agriculture and Development from Pennsylvania State University, a masters of science in Environmental Studies from San José State University, and a bachelors in Soil and Water Science from the University of California, Davis.
Ariel Rivers currently serves as the Pacific Region Representative for the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). She supports local conservation districts and partners in 6 western states and 5 overseas territories in their efforts to conserve natural resources across public and private lands, while promoting the use of best practices in both urban and rural agricultural spaces. Prior to NACD, Ariel served as a Postharvest Coordinator for Latin America at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center and helped to launch the Global Locust Initiative at Arizona State University. She holds a dual-title doctorate in Entomology and International Agriculture and Development from Pennsylvania State University, a masters of science in Environmental Studies from San José State University, and a bachelors in Soil and Water Science from the University of California, Davis.
AIARD Moderators during the whole week
Russ Webster
AIARD President 2020-2021 & CEO of Food Enterprise Solutions
Russ has a long career promoting the private sector as a key driver for economic growth, poverty reduction, and food security. In over 40 countries across Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, his work has ranged from designing and managing agriculture research, extension and rural finance programs overseas, to evaluating project impact, to advising international donor agencies and foreign governments on how to structure policy priorities, regulatory frameworks, and programs that mobilize private capital and incentivize economic growth. Having established his reputation as a strategic thinker, effective executive leader, solid team player, creative program design expert, and articulate advocate for global trade and development, Russ has turned his focus now on reducing hunger, malnutrition, and poverty by strengthening the commercial viability of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, and making them the drivers for sustainable, healthy, and accessible food systems.
AIARD President 2020-2021 & CEO of Food Enterprise Solutions
Russ has a long career promoting the private sector as a key driver for economic growth, poverty reduction, and food security. In over 40 countries across Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, his work has ranged from designing and managing agriculture research, extension and rural finance programs overseas, to evaluating project impact, to advising international donor agencies and foreign governments on how to structure policy priorities, regulatory frameworks, and programs that mobilize private capital and incentivize economic growth. Having established his reputation as a strategic thinker, effective executive leader, solid team player, creative program design expert, and articulate advocate for global trade and development, Russ has turned his focus now on reducing hunger, malnutrition, and poverty by strengthening the commercial viability of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, and making them the drivers for sustainable, healthy, and accessible food systems.
Tom Gill
AIARD President 2019-2020 & Chair of University of Tennessee, Smith Center
Tom Gill’s heart and passion is to see a world free from hunger. He first witnessed the critical role agriculture has to play in the lives of many around the world during time serving as a secondary school teacher in rural northwest Uganda. Time in East Africa sparked interest in understanding why farm households make the choices they do and finding ways to help people around the world in agriculture help themselves.
As the Smith Chair and Director of the Smith International Center, Tom leads the team in strategic planning and developing ways for faculty, staff and students to work across the institute in international endeavors, whether that be a new adventure or globalizing current teaching, research or outreach activities.
AIARD President 2019-2020 & Chair of University of Tennessee, Smith Center
Tom Gill’s heart and passion is to see a world free from hunger. He first witnessed the critical role agriculture has to play in the lives of many around the world during time serving as a secondary school teacher in rural northwest Uganda. Time in East Africa sparked interest in understanding why farm households make the choices they do and finding ways to help people around the world in agriculture help themselves.
As the Smith Chair and Director of the Smith International Center, Tom leads the team in strategic planning and developing ways for faculty, staff and students to work across the institute in international endeavors, whether that be a new adventure or globalizing current teaching, research or outreach activities.
Sarah Eissler
Sarah Eissler is an independent consultant in the areas of international agriculture, specifically high value commodity crops (coffee, cacao), rural community development, community-based natural resource management, social implications of climate change, youth and gender. Sarah has received a dual Dr. degree in Rural Sociology and International Agriculture and Development (INTAD) program from the Pennsylvania State University, she is a former Future Leaders Fellow and AIARD Scholarship Awardee.
Sarah Eissler is an independent consultant in the areas of international agriculture, specifically high value commodity crops (coffee, cacao), rural community development, community-based natural resource management, social implications of climate change, youth and gender. Sarah has received a dual Dr. degree in Rural Sociology and International Agriculture and Development (INTAD) program from the Pennsylvania State University, she is a former Future Leaders Fellow and AIARD Scholarship Awardee.
Tatiana LeGrand
Tatiana LeGrand is an economist and consultant with experience in food security, natural resources management, community development, agribusiness, biodiversity and monitoring and evaluation. Tatiana has received a Dr. degree in Agriculture from the University of Goettingen in Germany. Tatiana serves as AIARD Communications Committee Chair and is responsible for keeping AIARD community informed of the latest Association news and events.
Tatiana LeGrand is an economist and consultant with experience in food security, natural resources management, community development, agribusiness, biodiversity and monitoring and evaluation. Tatiana has received a Dr. degree in Agriculture from the University of Goettingen in Germany. Tatiana serves as AIARD Communications Committee Chair and is responsible for keeping AIARD community informed of the latest Association news and events.
