Gilbert F. Houngbo became the sixth President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on 1 April 2017. Born and raised in rural Togo, Houngbo has spent more than 30 years working to improve the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people, with extensive experience in political affairs, international development, diplomacy and financial management.

Frank E. Mars is Chair of the Mars Board of Directors and a fourth-generation member of the Mars Family. He has worked within the Mars business since 1990, served on the Board of Directors since 2010, and was appointed Board Chair in 2020. For the past 30 years at Mars, Frank has held a variety of positions across its diverse business categories and global operations, including roles in Electronics, Snack Food, Pet Care and Food segments. Outside of Mars, Frank is co-founder and former Chair of the Board of Heliae®, a micro-algal-based life sciences and technology company in Arizona, USA. He is also a co-author of several peer reviewed scientific papers in the area of coral reef ecosystem restoration. Frank earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from Yale University in 1985 and his MBA in 1990 from Duke University (Fuqua School of Business).

Marie Haga is Associate Vice-President of the External Relations and Governance Department at IFAD. She is responsible for communications, global engagement, partnerships, resource mobilization and relations with IFAD Member States. Haga has extensive experience in conservation, food security, foreign affairs and politics. Before coming to IFAD she worked with the Global Crop Diversity Trust, where she was Executive Director from March 2013.

Sabrina is a model, activist, and the UN Goodwill Ambassador for IFAD. She is passionate about gender equality and promoting the empowerment of women and girls worldwide. She has recently begun work with the First Lady of Sierra Leone on issues related to violence against women in the country. She also works with a variety of civil society organizations, including Conservation International, on environmental issues.

Dominik Ziller is Vice-President of IFAD. He gives strategic direction to the institution, and promotes corporate approaches and solutions. He has direct oversight of the budget, quality assurance and ethics offices. Prior to joining IFAD, Ziller was Director General for International Development Cooperation for International Development Policy at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Ousmane Mamoudou Kane is the Minister of Economic Affairs and Promotion of Productive Sectors of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. Previously, he was Minister of Finance and Governor of the Central Bank of Mauritania, Vice-President of the African Development Bank and the Managing Director of the National Industrial and Mining Company. He graduated from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Saint-Étienne and from the Ecole Polytechnique in France.

Meike Van Ginneken is the Associate Vice-President of the Strategy and Knowledge Department at IFAD. Prior to joining IFAD in October 2020, van Ginneken was Chief Executive Officer of the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, a leading development organisation with 1,400 specialized staff working on agriculture, energy and water in 28 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. She holds an MSc in change management from HEC Paris Business School in France and an MSc in water management from Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands.

Joseph Newton Mathenge, a 26-year-old Kenyan entrepreneur, who participates in the UTaNRMP project and is the co-founder of G-Star Youth Group. After graduating from the University of Nairobi, he returned to his family farm where he used his education to help improve productivity and income.

Shirley Casachagua joins us from Peru. Shirley is the president of the Generación Llanac Artisans Association, which helps empower women by promoting local handcraft business activities.

The Kingdom Choir is a British gospel choir based in London, founded and conducted by Karen Gibson MBE. The choir rocketed to fame after performing at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. Their version of 'Stand By Me' went straight to number 1 on the Billboard Gospel Songs Chart. They have gone onto perform at sold-out shows all over the world including the Hollywood Bowl, the Royal Albert Hall and the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Sydney. They recently celebrated 25 years of The Kingdom Choir.