Beatrice Ekesa

As a Senior Scientist, with specialization in Nutrition, I have over 17 years experience coordinating implementation of Research for Development initiatives on agri-food systems and their linkages to dietary diversity and better nutrition outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the last 5 years I have expanded by scope of work to also include countries in The Pacific such as Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. I have a PhD in Foods and Nutrition obtained in 2012 and an Msc in Community Nutrition and Development obtained in 2007.

As the Country Representative in Uganda, I work closely with the 50+ scientists and the national partners to ensure our research agenda aligns with the government priorities. I also initiate and manage partnerships with funding, implementing, and scaling partners both nationally and internationally. I provide backstopping to the day-to-day operation of the office and provide support supervision to various teams. I have strong leadership skills acquired through experience and through taking courses such as Women Leadership and Management and Women Leading in Times of Crisis. I am an institution change management champion trained by PROSCI in 2020 and a formal mentor under the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) fellowship since 2012.