Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg Takes Leading Role in African Sustainable Agricultural Research Efforts

From
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)
Published on
10.12.24
Impact Area
Nutrition, health & food security

Nairobi, Kenya – The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT is pleased to announce Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg’s appointment as Managing Director for the Africa region. With a distinguished career spanning leadership in food systems, social inclusion, and gender-sensitive agricultural innovation, Dr. Kamau-Rutenberg brings a wealth of expertise to this critical role.

Dr. Kamau-Rutenberg’s leadership aligns with the Alliance’s mission to foster inclusive agricultural prosperity and climate resilience across Africa. Her extensive academic background and professional accomplishments position her to drive impactful solutions in collaboration with regional and global stakeholders.

A Leader of Distinction

Dr. Kamau-Rutenberg’s career reflects a deep commitment to addressing systemic barriers in agriculture and empowering communities through innovation. She is the Founder and inaugural Executive Director of Black Women in Executive Leadership (B-WEL) and previously served as Director of African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) as well as a Senior Fellow at the Ford Foundation in New York.

Her professional journey includes leadership roles at Schmidt Futures, Akili Dada, and the University of San Francisco, board seats at the Syngenta Foundation, the Autodesk Foundation, and the Global Food Banking Network as well as Advisory Council roles at the Gender Fund of Co-Impact, the Malabo Montpellier Panel, and the African Climate Foundation, among others.

Dr. Kamau-Rutenberg holds a PhD and Master’s in Political Science from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and a PhD (Honoris Causa) from Whitman College in Washington, USA.

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