Douglas Buhler
Michigan State University
Associate Vice President
As assistant vice president for research and innovation, Douglas Buhler focuses on food, environment, and international research programs at MSU, a role he began full time in late 2021.
Buhler was director of MSU AgBioResearch from 2013 to 2021 and will continue to work closely with AgBioResearch and partner units to advance MSU research in areas of mutual interest.
Buhler is a native of Wisconsin and received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville and Master of Science and a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska. He began his career at the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 1984 to 1989 and later went to work for the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service from 1989 to 2000. He joined MSU as professor and chair of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and served in that position from 2000 to 2005. From 2005 to 2010, he was associate director of MSU AgBioResearch and associate dean for research for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR). Buhler served as interim dean of the CANR from 2011 to 2013 and again in 2016.
Buhler's professional activities have generated over 330 publications including 130 refereed journal and review articles. He has been an author or editor of three books and presented over 100 invited seminars, symposia, and workshops. He is a fellow of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Weed Science Society of America, and North Central Weed Science Society, and he is a Distinguished Alumni of the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. He serves on numerous boards and advisory panels including the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, the Center for Food Integrity, the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Commission and the Michigan Crop Improvement Association.
Michigan State University
Associate Vice President
As assistant vice president for research and innovation, Douglas Buhler focuses on food, environment, and international research programs at MSU, a role he began full time in late 2021.
Buhler was director of MSU AgBioResearch from 2013 to 2021 and will continue to work closely with AgBioResearch and partner units to advance MSU research in areas of mutual interest.
Buhler is a native of Wisconsin and received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville and Master of Science and a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska. He began his career at the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 1984 to 1989 and later went to work for the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service from 1989 to 2000. He joined MSU as professor and chair of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and served in that position from 2000 to 2005. From 2005 to 2010, he was associate director of MSU AgBioResearch and associate dean for research for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR). Buhler served as interim dean of the CANR from 2011 to 2013 and again in 2016.
Buhler's professional activities have generated over 330 publications including 130 refereed journal and review articles. He has been an author or editor of three books and presented over 100 invited seminars, symposia, and workshops. He is a fellow of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Weed Science Society of America, and North Central Weed Science Society, and he is a Distinguished Alumni of the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. He serves on numerous boards and advisory panels including the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, the Center for Food Integrity, the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Commission and the Michigan Crop Improvement Association.
Timothy Caulfield
University of Alberta
Professor of Health Law and Science Policy & Bestselling Author
Professor Timothy Caulfield is an unrivaled communicator who debunks myths and assumptions about innovation for the benefit of the public and decision-makers. He is a Canada Research Chair in health law and policy, a professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health, and a research director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta.
His research focuses on topics like stem cells, genetics, research ethics, and the public representations of science and health policy issues. The recipient of numerous academic and writing awards, Caulfield is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.
University of Alberta
Professor of Health Law and Science Policy & Bestselling Author
Professor Timothy Caulfield is an unrivaled communicator who debunks myths and assumptions about innovation for the benefit of the public and decision-makers. He is a Canada Research Chair in health law and policy, a professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health, and a research director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta.
His research focuses on topics like stem cells, genetics, research ethics, and the public representations of science and health policy issues. The recipient of numerous academic and writing awards, Caulfield is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.
Constance Cullman
American Feed Industry Association
President & CEO
Constance Cullman is the American Feed Industry Association’s president and CEO. She also serves as the president of AFIA’s public charity the Institute for Feed Education and Research. She represents AFIA on international issues, serving on the International Feed Industry Federation’s board of directors and executive committee, as well as the Global Feed LCA Institute’s board of directors.
In 2020, Cullman was appointed to serve on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service’s Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee.
Cullman previously served as the president and CEO of Farm Foundation. Prior to that role, she served as the U.S. government affairs leader for Dow AgroSciences; senior director of regulatory, technical, and international affairs at the Corn Refiners Association; associate administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service; vice president of agricultural ecology at the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation; and extension associate at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Cullman has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and a master’s degree in agricultural economics with an emphasis on international trade and agricultural policy from The Ohio State University. She hails from Marysville, Ohio, where her family owned and operated a cow/calf farm.
Founded in 1909, the AFIA, based in Arlington, Va., is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the U.S. animal food industry and its suppliers. AFIA’s members manufacture more than 75 percent of the feed and 70 percent of the non-whole grain ingredients used in the country.
American Feed Industry Association
President & CEO
Constance Cullman is the American Feed Industry Association’s president and CEO. She also serves as the president of AFIA’s public charity the Institute for Feed Education and Research. She represents AFIA on international issues, serving on the International Feed Industry Federation’s board of directors and executive committee, as well as the Global Feed LCA Institute’s board of directors.
In 2020, Cullman was appointed to serve on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service’s Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee.
Cullman previously served as the president and CEO of Farm Foundation. Prior to that role, she served as the U.S. government affairs leader for Dow AgroSciences; senior director of regulatory, technical, and international affairs at the Corn Refiners Association; associate administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service; vice president of agricultural ecology at the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation; and extension associate at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Cullman has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and a master’s degree in agricultural economics with an emphasis on international trade and agricultural policy from The Ohio State University. She hails from Marysville, Ohio, where her family owned and operated a cow/calf farm.
Founded in 1909, the AFIA, based in Arlington, Va., is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the U.S. animal food industry and its suppliers. AFIA’s members manufacture more than 75 percent of the feed and 70 percent of the non-whole grain ingredients used in the country.
RAMESH CHAND
NITI Aayog (Public Policy Think Tank for the Government of India)
Member, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog
Dr. Ramesh Chand is a renowned Indian agricultural economist and a policy maker of repute. Over the last three decades, he has been actively involved in food and nutritional security related agricultural issues. Since 2015, he is a Member, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog in the rank of Union Minister of State, Government of India. NITI Aayog, formerly known as the Planning Commission of India, is a policy think-tank, chaired by the Prime Minister of India. In this position, Dr. Chand is directly steering India’s agricultural development agenda with major focus on food and nutrition security. He is also providing policy related inputs to the Ministries both of the Central and State Governments concerning land and water resources, SDGs, poverty alleviation, forest and environment, sustainable livelihood, smallholder development, food processing, value chain and agricultural marketing.
Dr. Chand is currently responsible for India’s vision, strategy and action agenda for the agriculture sector, including the government’s flagship agricultural program for doubling farmers’ income.
He was a Member of the Fifteenth Finance Commission of India, which determines devolution of tax resources between the Union Government and the States and recommends fiscal consolidation roadmap; he is also serving as Vice Chairman, Commission on Farmers’ Prosperity, State of Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr. Ramesh Chand holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Agriculture from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.
NITI Aayog (Public Policy Think Tank for the Government of India)
Member, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog
Dr. Ramesh Chand is a renowned Indian agricultural economist and a policy maker of repute. Over the last three decades, he has been actively involved in food and nutritional security related agricultural issues. Since 2015, he is a Member, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog in the rank of Union Minister of State, Government of India. NITI Aayog, formerly known as the Planning Commission of India, is a policy think-tank, chaired by the Prime Minister of India. In this position, Dr. Chand is directly steering India’s agricultural development agenda with major focus on food and nutrition security. He is also providing policy related inputs to the Ministries both of the Central and State Governments concerning land and water resources, SDGs, poverty alleviation, forest and environment, sustainable livelihood, smallholder development, food processing, value chain and agricultural marketing.
Dr. Chand is currently responsible for India’s vision, strategy and action agenda for the agriculture sector, including the government’s flagship agricultural program for doubling farmers’ income.
He was a Member of the Fifteenth Finance Commission of India, which determines devolution of tax resources between the Union Government and the States and recommends fiscal consolidation roadmap; he is also serving as Vice Chairman, Commission on Farmers’ Prosperity, State of Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr. Ramesh Chand holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Agriculture from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.
ANUPAMA JOSHI
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Vice President of Programs
Anupama Joshi (she/her/hers) leads CSPI’s program strategy on national, state, and local policy advocacy; legislative campaigns; and regulatory affairs to support equitable access to healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. She oversees projects on a wide range of issue areas such as school nutrition, healthy food access, food retail, food service guidelines, pouring rights, labeling, corporate engagement, food safety, additives, dietary supplements, and agricultural biotechnology.
Anupama is an experienced leader driving evidence-based policies, programs, and funding in the nutrition, public health, agriculture, and environmental sectors. Previously, Anupama was executive director of the Blue Sky Funders Forum (a working group of the Environmental Grantmakers Association). Prior to that, Joshi was the founding executive director of the National Farm to School Network, where she successfully built cross-sectoral partnerships, scaled up program models, and advocated for local, state, and federal policies. She holds an Master of Science in nutrition from M.S. University in Baroda, India, and spent the first part of her career on related projects in India, Thailand, and Malaysia. She is co-author of Food Justice (MIT Press, 2010).
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Vice President of Programs
Anupama Joshi (she/her/hers) leads CSPI’s program strategy on national, state, and local policy advocacy; legislative campaigns; and regulatory affairs to support equitable access to healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. She oversees projects on a wide range of issue areas such as school nutrition, healthy food access, food retail, food service guidelines, pouring rights, labeling, corporate engagement, food safety, additives, dietary supplements, and agricultural biotechnology.
Anupama is an experienced leader driving evidence-based policies, programs, and funding in the nutrition, public health, agriculture, and environmental sectors. Previously, Anupama was executive director of the Blue Sky Funders Forum (a working group of the Environmental Grantmakers Association). Prior to that, Joshi was the founding executive director of the National Farm to School Network, where she successfully built cross-sectoral partnerships, scaled up program models, and advocated for local, state, and federal policies. She holds an Master of Science in nutrition from M.S. University in Baroda, India, and spent the first part of her career on related projects in India, Thailand, and Malaysia. She is co-author of Food Justice (MIT Press, 2010).
Teresa Siles
Nuffer, Smith, Tucker
President and Partner
Teresa is passionate about helping clients uncover and share their social "purpose" – the end benefit to people or society. She has applied her passion for purpose to numerous client accounts and leads the firm’s strategic planning practice. Through facilitation of strategic planning, she helps organizations determine where they are now, where they want to be in the future, and – importantly – how to get there. Teresa believes in the power of a clearly defined organizational vision and purpose to deliver business success.
She has led a range of strategic planning, integrated media relations, marketing communications, crisis and issues management, website development and social media projects for clients in multiple industries. While her client portfolio is vast, she also has deep expertise in agriculture and food.
She is a member of Farm Foundation and spearheads NST’s Food Foresight process, a trends intelligence system for the agri-food chain.
Teresa – who earned her Master of Business Administration from San Diego State University – has received numerous awards, including being named Young and Influential by the San Diego Daily Transcript and 40 Under 40 by the San Diego Metropolitan in 2016. Additionally, she was named the Public Relations Professional of the Year award by the Public Relations Society of America San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter in 2015.
Nuffer, Smith, Tucker
President and Partner
Teresa is passionate about helping clients uncover and share their social "purpose" – the end benefit to people or society. She has applied her passion for purpose to numerous client accounts and leads the firm’s strategic planning practice. Through facilitation of strategic planning, she helps organizations determine where they are now, where they want to be in the future, and – importantly – how to get there. Teresa believes in the power of a clearly defined organizational vision and purpose to deliver business success.
She has led a range of strategic planning, integrated media relations, marketing communications, crisis and issues management, website development and social media projects for clients in multiple industries. While her client portfolio is vast, she also has deep expertise in agriculture and food.
She is a member of Farm Foundation and spearheads NST’s Food Foresight process, a trends intelligence system for the agri-food chain.
Teresa – who earned her Master of Business Administration from San Diego State University – has received numerous awards, including being named Young and Influential by the San Diego Daily Transcript and 40 Under 40 by the San Diego Metropolitan in 2016. Additionally, she was named the Public Relations Professional of the Year award by the Public Relations Society of America San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter in 2015.
Bruno Basso
Michigan State University
John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor
Bruno Basso's research deals mainly with water, carbon, nitrogen cycling and modeling in agro-ecosystems, and spatial analysis of crop yield. Basso's modeling research has focused on extending soil-crop-atmosphere models to spatial domains at the field scale, and, in particular, on developing, testing, and deploying SALUS, a next-generation process-based model that integrates crop productivity with water, carbon, and nutrient fluxes in a spatially explicit manner. Through this research, it has been possible to integrate the effects of topography and soil properties on soil water balance, and thereby partition surface vs. subsurface flows in different landscape positions. This has important value for better understanding and predicting nitrogen conservation patterns in cropped landscapes as well as soil carbon change - and has led to important insights for the likely effects of climate change on carbon and water footprints of future cropping systems, as noted in recent publications.
Michigan State University
John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor
Bruno Basso's research deals mainly with water, carbon, nitrogen cycling and modeling in agro-ecosystems, and spatial analysis of crop yield. Basso's modeling research has focused on extending soil-crop-atmosphere models to spatial domains at the field scale, and, in particular, on developing, testing, and deploying SALUS, a next-generation process-based model that integrates crop productivity with water, carbon, and nutrient fluxes in a spatially explicit manner. Through this research, it has been possible to integrate the effects of topography and soil properties on soil water balance, and thereby partition surface vs. subsurface flows in different landscape positions. This has important value for better understanding and predicting nitrogen conservation patterns in cropped landscapes as well as soil carbon change - and has led to important insights for the likely effects of climate change on carbon and water footprints of future cropping systems, as noted in recent publications.
Scott Faber
EWG
Senior Vice President
Scott Faber leads the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) government affairs efforts, in which capacity he has frequently testified before Congress on food, farm, energy, water and chemical policy issues. Faber is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center. Faber is one of EWG’s top spokespeople and is a frequent source for journalists with national and regional media outlets. Faber has appeared on network and cable news programs and in documentary films, and he is regularly quoted in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, Politico and CNN.com, among many others.
EWG
Senior Vice President
Scott Faber leads the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) government affairs efforts, in which capacity he has frequently testified before Congress on food, farm, energy, water and chemical policy issues. Faber is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center. Faber is one of EWG’s top spokespeople and is a frequent source for journalists with national and regional media outlets. Faber has appeared on network and cable news programs and in documentary films, and he is regularly quoted in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, Politico and CNN.com, among many others.
David Ortega
Michigan State University
Associate Professor
Dr. David Ortega is an associate professor at Michigan State University and a College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Faculty Laureate. He is appointed in the tenure system. His research program focuses on understanding consumer, producer, and agribusiness decision-making to better inform food policies and marketing strategies.
Dr. Ortega has research experience in several developing and emerging countries, including China, India, Kenya, Malawi, and Rwanda. Over the past 15 years, his work in China has focused on the economics of food quality and on evaluating emerging markets for U.S. agricultural products. His research has been published in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, including Food Policy, World Development, Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, Economic Development and Cultural Change, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Economics, China Economic Review, and the European Review of Agricultural Economics, to name a few.
Dr. Ortega provides timely analysis of forces and events affecting the agricultural and food sector. He has been called to provide expert testimony before federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Congress. He is frequently interviewed by prominent media outlets, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, USA Today, CNN, PBS, Forbes, Politico, Newsweek, and the Detroit Free Press, among others. Dr. Ortega earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University.
Michigan State University
Associate Professor
Dr. David Ortega is an associate professor at Michigan State University and a College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Faculty Laureate. He is appointed in the tenure system. His research program focuses on understanding consumer, producer, and agribusiness decision-making to better inform food policies and marketing strategies.
Dr. Ortega has research experience in several developing and emerging countries, including China, India, Kenya, Malawi, and Rwanda. Over the past 15 years, his work in China has focused on the economics of food quality and on evaluating emerging markets for U.S. agricultural products. His research has been published in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, including Food Policy, World Development, Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, Economic Development and Cultural Change, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Economics, China Economic Review, and the European Review of Agricultural Economics, to name a few.
Dr. Ortega provides timely analysis of forces and events affecting the agricultural and food sector. He has been called to provide expert testimony before federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Congress. He is frequently interviewed by prominent media outlets, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, USA Today, CNN, PBS, Forbes, Politico, Newsweek, and the Detroit Free Press, among others. Dr. Ortega earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University.
Matthew MacLachlan
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service
Research Economist
Matthew MacLachlan is a research economist in the Food Markets branch of the Food Economics Division at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. His research focuses on forecasting food prices. He has also studied the effect of natural disasters and infectious diseases on livestock producers and animal-product markets. He has developed approaches for quantifying the impacts of infectious diseases when data are scarce, responses are delayed, or to quantify the effect when it is difficult to isolate the impact from other changes.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service
Research Economist
Matthew MacLachlan is a research economist in the Food Markets branch of the Food Economics Division at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. His research focuses on forecasting food prices. He has also studied the effect of natural disasters and infectious diseases on livestock producers and animal-product markets. He has developed approaches for quantifying the impacts of infectious diseases when data are scarce, responses are delayed, or to quantify the effect when it is difficult to isolate the impact from other changes.
Ximena Bustillo
NPR
Politics Reporter
Ximena Bustillo is a multi-platform reporter at NPR covering politics out of the White House and Congress on air and in print.
Before joining NPR, she was an award-winning food and agriculture policy reporter and newsletter author at POLITICO covering immigration, climate, labor, supply chain and equity issues.
Bustillo got her start in journalism at the Idaho Statesman where she helped spearhead the state's Spanish-language coronavirus news coverage through articles and public web forums.
She is a graduate of Boise State University.
NPR
Politics Reporter
Ximena Bustillo is a multi-platform reporter at NPR covering politics out of the White House and Congress on air and in print.
Before joining NPR, she was an award-winning food and agriculture policy reporter and newsletter author at POLITICO covering immigration, climate, labor, supply chain and equity issues.
Bustillo got her start in journalism at the Idaho Statesman where she helped spearhead the state's Spanish-language coronavirus news coverage through articles and public web forums.
She is a graduate of Boise State University.
Tom Madrecki
Consumer Brands Association
Vice President, Supply Chain and Logistics
As Vice President of Supply Chain and Logistics for the Consumer Brands Association, Tom Madrecki represents the collective transportation, technology, sourcing, and sustainability priorities of America’s CPG industry.
Prior to joining the association, Madrecki served as the director of urban innovation and mobility at UPS, where he led partnerships between the delivery company and city leaders to reduce congestion, increase quality of life, and shape policy.
An avid cyclist, freight transportation wonk, and graduate of the University of Virginia, he lives in Arlington with his wife, Priya, his son, Noah and Siberian husky, Ava. The entire family is believed to single-handedly sustain America’s cheese and ice cream industry.
Consumer Brands Association
Vice President, Supply Chain and Logistics
As Vice President of Supply Chain and Logistics for the Consumer Brands Association, Tom Madrecki represents the collective transportation, technology, sourcing, and sustainability priorities of America’s CPG industry.
Prior to joining the association, Madrecki served as the director of urban innovation and mobility at UPS, where he led partnerships between the delivery company and city leaders to reduce congestion, increase quality of life, and shape policy.
An avid cyclist, freight transportation wonk, and graduate of the University of Virginia, he lives in Arlington with his wife, Priya, his son, Noah and Siberian husky, Ava. The entire family is believed to single-handedly sustain America’s cheese and ice cream industry.
Nicholas Allen
SpartanNash
Product Development Manager, OwnBrands
Born and raised in Michigan, Nick earned a bachelor’s degree in food industry management from Michigan State University and has over a decade of experience in the grocery industry from retail operations, wholesale and private label sales. He currently works for SpartanNash as a product development manager on their OwnBrands team and works with suppliers to create new or redevelop existing products and assists in the placement and pricing strategies of particular categories. Nick likes spending time outdoors biking, camping, and hiking with his fiancée, Bri, and dog, Lila. They all love being on the water or at the beach and there is no shortage of that in the Great Lakes State.
SpartanNash
Product Development Manager, OwnBrands
Born and raised in Michigan, Nick earned a bachelor’s degree in food industry management from Michigan State University and has over a decade of experience in the grocery industry from retail operations, wholesale and private label sales. He currently works for SpartanNash as a product development manager on their OwnBrands team and works with suppliers to create new or redevelop existing products and assists in the placement and pricing strategies of particular categories. Nick likes spending time outdoors biking, camping, and hiking with his fiancée, Bri, and dog, Lila. They all love being on the water or at the beach and there is no shortage of that in the Great Lakes State.
Anthony LaFauce
Clyde Group
Managing Director
Anthony brings more than 19 years of experience in public relations and public affairs ranging from clients that include top pharmaceutical companies, trade associations, consumer packaged goods, quick service restaurants, a variety of agriculture clients, and government agencies.
His time in the U.S. Navy serving as an avionics technician equipped him with a deep understanding of computer logic and digital theory. Anthony brings this level of intuition to all of his clients and, in developing one of the first digital issues management tracking systems, Anthony was able to create an early warning system around product safety for several top consumer brands.
Anthony is also adept at running grassroots programs around the toughest issues representing chemical companies, natural gas, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture across a host of clients.
He is an accomplished speaker, having spoken at countless events around the country and appearing as a guest panelist on several radio programs, and he is also an adjunct instructor at The American University in Washington, D.C. Anthony has won several Tellies for his advertising work as well as several Aggies for his work in the crop protection space.
Anthony currently serves as a board member at USA for UN’s High Council for Refugees, an organization dedicated to protecting refugees by empowering them with the hope they deserve to restore dignity and rebuild their lives.
Clyde Group
Managing Director
Anthony brings more than 19 years of experience in public relations and public affairs ranging from clients that include top pharmaceutical companies, trade associations, consumer packaged goods, quick service restaurants, a variety of agriculture clients, and government agencies.
His time in the U.S. Navy serving as an avionics technician equipped him with a deep understanding of computer logic and digital theory. Anthony brings this level of intuition to all of his clients and, in developing one of the first digital issues management tracking systems, Anthony was able to create an early warning system around product safety for several top consumer brands.
Anthony is also adept at running grassroots programs around the toughest issues representing chemical companies, natural gas, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture across a host of clients.
He is an accomplished speaker, having spoken at countless events around the country and appearing as a guest panelist on several radio programs, and he is also an adjunct instructor at The American University in Washington, D.C. Anthony has won several Tellies for his advertising work as well as several Aggies for his work in the crop protection space.
Anthony currently serves as a board member at USA for UN’s High Council for Refugees, an organization dedicated to protecting refugees by empowering them with the hope they deserve to restore dignity and rebuild their lives.
Yaye kene Gassama
Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD), Senegal
Professor
Professor Gassama is a Senegalese national and professor in plant biotechnology at Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD), Senegal. She is a well-known scientist and has held high ranking positions in the academia, governance, and policymaking. She was Senegal’s Minister of Scientific Research in 2005 and chaired African Union’s high-level panel on emerging technologies in 2017.
She is highly respected for many firsts, including her study on the utilization of the neem in the treatment and prevention of malaria. She is also the first woman to attain the level of full professor in fundamental sciences in Senegal and remains one of the few high-profile women scientists dedicated to the field in Africa today. As a member of the Advisory Board of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) and Female Education in Mathematics and Science in Africa (FEMSA), she not only promotes the education of girls in science and mathematics, but also mentors young women and encourages them to become more involved in science.
Prof. Gassama was the vice chair of National Academy of Sciences and Techniques of Senegal in 2013 and the chair of the African Ministerial Council on Science and Technology in 2005. She has chaired and has been on several committees, and has consulted for several international organizations including UNEP, IDRC, CORAF and FAO.
For her contributions to science, Prof. Gassama was recognized with Senegal’s highest order, Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Lion. She also received the Cauri d’Or for scientific excellence in 2019.
Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD), Senegal
Professor
Professor Gassama is a Senegalese national and professor in plant biotechnology at Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD), Senegal. She is a well-known scientist and has held high ranking positions in the academia, governance, and policymaking. She was Senegal’s Minister of Scientific Research in 2005 and chaired African Union’s high-level panel on emerging technologies in 2017.
She is highly respected for many firsts, including her study on the utilization of the neem in the treatment and prevention of malaria. She is also the first woman to attain the level of full professor in fundamental sciences in Senegal and remains one of the few high-profile women scientists dedicated to the field in Africa today. As a member of the Advisory Board of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) and Female Education in Mathematics and Science in Africa (FEMSA), she not only promotes the education of girls in science and mathematics, but also mentors young women and encourages them to become more involved in science.
Prof. Gassama was the vice chair of National Academy of Sciences and Techniques of Senegal in 2013 and the chair of the African Ministerial Council on Science and Technology in 2005. She has chaired and has been on several committees, and has consulted for several international organizations including UNEP, IDRC, CORAF and FAO.
For her contributions to science, Prof. Gassama was recognized with Senegal’s highest order, Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Lion. She also received the Cauri d’Or for scientific excellence in 2019.
Silvia Dumitrescu
International Food Information Council (IFIC)
SVP, Operations & Engagement
Silvia Dumitrescu is the senior vice president, operations, and engagement for the International Food Information Council (IFIC), working with subject-matter experts to raise awareness and improve understanding of food science from farm to fork. Silvia leads external engagement with partners and stakeholders and leverages her previous work in technology and innovation to develop growth strategies and drive transformation.
Before joining IFIC, Silvia held several leadership roles in communications, operations, and strategy. She was a global strategy advisor at a startup working on science, technology, and innovation as growth engines for urban environments. Also, Silvia was part of the executive team for one of the leading commercial real estate associations and a corporate relations specialist for the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development in the District of Columbia.
Silvia holds an Master of Business Administration from American University and executive certifications from Harvard Business School and Columbia University. She is a member of CHIEF, the only private network specifically designed for the most powerful women executives. Silvia is also a certified Institute for the Future Foresight Practitioner.
International Food Information Council (IFIC)
SVP, Operations & Engagement
Silvia Dumitrescu is the senior vice president, operations, and engagement for the International Food Information Council (IFIC), working with subject-matter experts to raise awareness and improve understanding of food science from farm to fork. Silvia leads external engagement with partners and stakeholders and leverages her previous work in technology and innovation to develop growth strategies and drive transformation.
Before joining IFIC, Silvia held several leadership roles in communications, operations, and strategy. She was a global strategy advisor at a startup working on science, technology, and innovation as growth engines for urban environments. Also, Silvia was part of the executive team for one of the leading commercial real estate associations and a corporate relations specialist for the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development in the District of Columbia.
Silvia holds an Master of Business Administration from American University and executive certifications from Harvard Business School and Columbia University. She is a member of CHIEF, the only private network specifically designed for the most powerful women executives. Silvia is also a certified Institute for the Future Foresight Practitioner.
GENEVIEVE O'SULLIVAN
CLA
Vice President, Communications and Marketing
Genevieve (Gen) O’Sullivan is the vice president of communications and marketing at CropLife America, the national trade association representing formulators, manufacturers and distributors of organic and non-organic pesticides. A Washington state native, her background includes policy and campaign work, as well as public and private communications positions. Prior to joining CropLife America, she worked with various associations at the federal, state and local levels, representing recycling, garbage haulers and state foresters. She and her husband also spent several years owning a restaurant and cheesemaking facility in Washington D.C., and were designated the first cheesemakers in the history of the District.
Gen received her Bachelor of Arts in political science from Western Washington University. She has been an avid Seahawks fan for more than 35 years and thanks to her upbringing in the Pacific Northwest, still loves a good Pearl Jam concert and a comfy flannel.
CLA
Vice President, Communications and Marketing
Genevieve (Gen) O’Sullivan is the vice president of communications and marketing at CropLife America, the national trade association representing formulators, manufacturers and distributors of organic and non-organic pesticides. A Washington state native, her background includes policy and campaign work, as well as public and private communications positions. Prior to joining CropLife America, she worked with various associations at the federal, state and local levels, representing recycling, garbage haulers and state foresters. She and her husband also spent several years owning a restaurant and cheesemaking facility in Washington D.C., and were designated the first cheesemakers in the history of the District.
Gen received her Bachelor of Arts in political science from Western Washington University. She has been an avid Seahawks fan for more than 35 years and thanks to her upbringing in the Pacific Northwest, still loves a good Pearl Jam concert and a comfy flannel.
Jerry Hagstrom
The Hagstrom Report
executive editor
Jerry Hagstrom is a prize-winning agricultural journalist, book author and commentator.
The American Journalism Review has named Jerry Hagstrom one of its “unsung heroes” of American journalism for “sterling work in the shadows” covering agriculture, and the Crikey, an Australian website, has called him a "rogue journo" for investigative stories that revealed the Australian Wheat Board had given kickbacks to the Iraqi government of Saddam Hussein in order to maintain its wheat sales. In 2000, the National Farmers Union named Mr. Hagstrom Agricultural Communicator of the Year, and he has won awards from many other farm groups. Mr. Hagstrom also won first prize in commentary from the North American Agricultural Journalists and has served as its president.
In addition to his own daily Hagstrom Report, he writes a bimonthly column of commentary for National Journal Daily, both of which reach a national policymaking audience. He reaches farmers, ranchers and agribusiness throughout the country with his work for DTN/Progressive Farmer news service in Omaha, the weekly Agweek newspaper in Grand Forks, N.D., and the Capital Press of Salem, Ore., which has editions in California, Oregon, Idaho and Washington state.
A native of North Dakota, Mr. Hagstrom grew up on the Hagstrom family farm and in Wilton and Bismarck, N.D. Both his maternal grandparents, of Norwegian descent, and his paternal grandparents, of Swedish descent, homesteaded in Burleigh County, North Dakota. A graduate of the University of Denver, he has been a Loeb Fellow at Harvard University and a research fellow at the Freedom Forum Media Studies Center at Columbia University.
The Hagstrom Report
executive editor
Jerry Hagstrom is a prize-winning agricultural journalist, book author and commentator.
The American Journalism Review has named Jerry Hagstrom one of its “unsung heroes” of American journalism for “sterling work in the shadows” covering agriculture, and the Crikey, an Australian website, has called him a "rogue journo" for investigative stories that revealed the Australian Wheat Board had given kickbacks to the Iraqi government of Saddam Hussein in order to maintain its wheat sales. In 2000, the National Farmers Union named Mr. Hagstrom Agricultural Communicator of the Year, and he has won awards from many other farm groups. Mr. Hagstrom also won first prize in commentary from the North American Agricultural Journalists and has served as its president.
In addition to his own daily Hagstrom Report, he writes a bimonthly column of commentary for National Journal Daily, both of which reach a national policymaking audience. He reaches farmers, ranchers and agribusiness throughout the country with his work for DTN/Progressive Farmer news service in Omaha, the weekly Agweek newspaper in Grand Forks, N.D., and the Capital Press of Salem, Ore., which has editions in California, Oregon, Idaho and Washington state.
A native of North Dakota, Mr. Hagstrom grew up on the Hagstrom family farm and in Wilton and Bismarck, N.D. Both his maternal grandparents, of Norwegian descent, and his paternal grandparents, of Swedish descent, homesteaded in Burleigh County, North Dakota. A graduate of the University of Denver, he has been a Loeb Fellow at Harvard University and a research fellow at the Freedom Forum Media Studies Center at Columbia University.
Md. Arif Hossain
Farming Future Bangladesh
Fellow, Alliance for Sciecne
Md. Arif Hossain is a visiting fellow at the Department of Global Development at Cornell University. Arif is the CEO and executive director of Farming Future Bangladesh (FFB), a comprehensive communication and community engagement organization aimed to improve awareness about modern agricultural innovations including crop biotechnology to ensure sustainable food security in Bangladesh. Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, it operates in collaboration with Alliance for Science with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
As CEO and Executive Director of Farming Future Bangladesh, Arif shares evidence-based information about social, economic, and environmental benefits of modern agricultural innovations including using biotechnology to breed improved crops, especially those that can boost the nutritional content of staple foods, such as rice enriched with vitamins and minerals. FFB is based on the premise that agricultural innovations are important tool to help Bangladesh feed its 160 million people and give farmers and consumers access to safer, healthier, and nutritious food. FFB is effectively engaging key stakeholders and a community of advocates who are working in a coordinated way to promote access to scientific innovation as a means of enhancing food security, improving environmental sustainability, and raising the quality of life.
Farming Future Bangladesh
Fellow, Alliance for Sciecne
Md. Arif Hossain is a visiting fellow at the Department of Global Development at Cornell University. Arif is the CEO and executive director of Farming Future Bangladesh (FFB), a comprehensive communication and community engagement organization aimed to improve awareness about modern agricultural innovations including crop biotechnology to ensure sustainable food security in Bangladesh. Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, it operates in collaboration with Alliance for Science with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
As CEO and Executive Director of Farming Future Bangladesh, Arif shares evidence-based information about social, economic, and environmental benefits of modern agricultural innovations including using biotechnology to breed improved crops, especially those that can boost the nutritional content of staple foods, such as rice enriched with vitamins and minerals. FFB is based on the premise that agricultural innovations are important tool to help Bangladesh feed its 160 million people and give farmers and consumers access to safer, healthier, and nutritious food. FFB is effectively engaging key stakeholders and a community of advocates who are working in a coordinated way to promote access to scientific innovation as a means of enhancing food security, improving environmental sustainability, and raising the quality of life.
Craig Rickard
Ceresmore Farms Limited
Farmer
Craig serves as a sixth-generation farmer on his family farmer growing corn and seed crops of winter wheat, soybeans and white beans on his family farm in Ontario, Canada. He returned to the family farm after a 20+ year career path that included Agricultural Finance, a policy advisor to Canadian agriculture ministers, and in Government Relations. He has worked for the Canadian seed industry, Canadian Fertilizer industry, and regulatory affairs and emerging markets development for the providers of GMO seeds in Africa, SE Asia, and the former Soviet Union.
Ceresmore Farms Limited
Farmer
Craig serves as a sixth-generation farmer on his family farmer growing corn and seed crops of winter wheat, soybeans and white beans on his family farm in Ontario, Canada. He returned to the family farm after a 20+ year career path that included Agricultural Finance, a policy advisor to Canadian agriculture ministers, and in Government Relations. He has worked for the Canadian seed industry, Canadian Fertilizer industry, and regulatory affairs and emerging markets development for the providers of GMO seeds in Africa, SE Asia, and the former Soviet Union.