Sharon Mendonce

Sharon provides overall project support to the GEF funded ‘Healthy Landscapes: Managing Agricultural Landscapes in Socio-ecologically Sensitive Areas to Promote Food Security, Well-being and Ecosystem Health’ project that is led by Sri Lanka and coordinated by the Alliance. She also assists with the One CGIAR Fruit and Vegetables for Sustainable Healthy Diets (FRESH) Initiative.

A large part of Sharon’s current work involves science communication. She helps showcase research and activities from the field by transforming them into effective communication products for a variety of audiences.

Sharon is passionate about work that enables healthy diets for all- as evidenced by her career to date. Previously, she worked as a Food and Nutrition Consultant at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) where she supported work around nutrition mainstreaming, the implementation of FAO’s Nutrition Strategy and led the development of a ‘Healthy Food Environment Checklist’ to help transform FAO offices globally into spaces that promote physical activity and healthy diets. She has also worked as a cook in multiple countries and enjoys using food as a medium to learn about cultures across the world.

She holds a B.Sc in Nutrition and Dietetics, Chemistry and Human Development from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, India; a Post-graduate diploma in Culinary Arts from Manipal University, India; and a Master’s in Food Innovation and Management from the University of Gastronomic Sciences, Pollenzo, Italy.