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Behind every successful leader is a mentor who inspires, challenges, and empowers them to grow. As part of the Building Women & Youth-led Network Alliances for Agroecology and Organic Agriculture (WYNA) Programme, a diverse group of accomplished professionals has stepped forward to mentor the programme's fellows, sharing their knowledge, experience, and networks to strengthen the next generation of agroecology leaders. Drawing from backgrounds in research, academia, sustainable agriculture, social entrepreneurship, policy, organic agriculture, youth empowerment, and food systems transformation, these mentors bring decades of expertise from across Africa and beyond. Their collective experience spans international organizations, universities, private enterprises, development agencies, and farmer-focused initiatives, providing fellows with invaluable guidance as they develop innovative solutions to today's agricultural and environmental challenges. More than advisors, these mentors are champions of inclusive leadership, sustainable food systems, and community-driven change. Through one-on-one mentorship, they are supporting WYNA fellows to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their professional networks, and translate their passion for agroecology into meaningful action.
Meet the inspiring mentors who are walking alongside the WYNA fellows, helping shape a future where women and youth lead the transformation of Africa's food systems through agroecology and organic agriculture.
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Dr. Irene Kadzere is a Senior Scientist at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Switzerland, with over 30 years of experience advancing agricultural research and development across Sub-Saharan Africa. Throughout her career, she has worked with multidisciplinary teams and diverse partners to support smallholder farming systems through participatory research, innovation, and evidence-based approaches that inform practice, policy, and decision-making.
Passionate about transforming food systems, Dr. Kadzere champions sustainable agriculture, stakeholder collaboration, and the empowerment of emerging leaders. She currently serves as a mentor in the African Women Leaders in Agroecology (AWOLA) initiative, reflecting her strong commitment to mentoring, knowledge sharing, and fostering networks that strengthen agroecological transitions across Africa.
Her extensive professional experience spans government, international organizations, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations. She began her career with Zimbabwe's Department of Research and Specialist Services (1992–2007), where she worked on horticulture, agroforestry, and indigenous fruit systems, including a secondment to the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF). She later served with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) from 2008 to 2010 before joining FiBL in 2012, where she continues to lead and contribute to research and development initiatives across the African continent.
Dr. Kadzere holds a Master of Advanced Studies in Nutrition and Health from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), a PhD in Pomology and Postharvest Management from Cornell University (USA), an MSc in Irrigation Water Management from Cranfield University (UK), and a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Zimbabwe.
As a mentor in the Building Women & Youth-led Network Alliances for Agroecology and Organic Agriculture (WYNA) Programme, Dr. Kadzere is mentoring Harriet Amondi , supporting her leadership journey while sharing her wealth of experience in agroecology, food systems transformation, research, and collaborative innovation.
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Richard Mugisha is a seasoned social enterprise development and youth engagement expert with over 15 years of experience supporting inclusive agricultural development, entrepreneurship, and food systems transformation across Eastern Africa. His work focuses on organizational development, social enterprise growth, policy development, networking, and facilitating multi-stakeholder partnerships that empower young people and women to lead sustainable change.
Richard has held several influential leadership roles, including serving as a Locally Led Technical Advisor with CARE International and Regional Coordinator for the Youth in Agroecology and Business Learning Track Africa (YALTA), where he supported youth-led agroecology initiatives across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. He is also the Co-founder and Executive Coach at JERO Farm Uganda, where he has inspired and supported more than 2,500 women and young people to start, manage, and grow agroecological enterprises.
In addition to his entrepreneurial work, Richard serves as a Senior Consultant with the Netherlands Food Partnership, Oxfam International, and CARE International Uganda, providing expertise in youth engagement, agribusiness development, and systems change.
As a mentor in the WYNA Fellowship, mentorimg Anyama Henry Richard is committed to nurturing the next generation of women and young professionals, sharing his expertise, fostering strategic networks, and equipping emerging leaders with the skills and confidence to transform food systems and create lasting social impact.
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Prof. Nkiru Theresa Meludu is the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria, and a Distinguished Professor of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development specializing in food and nutrition security. With decades of experience in academia, research, and community engagement, she has made significant contributions to agricultural extension, ecological organic agriculture, gender, climate change, and rural development.
A passionate advocate for ecological organic agriculture, Prof. Meludu has played a leading role in advancing the movement in Nigeria. She serves as the Vice Chairperson of the National Steering Committee of the Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative (EOAI) Nigeria and has been an active leader within the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria (NOAN), where she has championed youth engagement, organic agriculture education, and the establishment of state-level networks. She also founded the Youth Organic Summer School, inspiring young people to embrace sustainable agriculture.
Prof. Meludu has led and contributed to numerous national and international research, training, and development initiatives, collaborating with organizations including IFAD, RUFORUM, SIDA, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), and International Research on Ecological Organic Agriculture for Africa (IREOAA). Her expertise has earned her international fellowships, research grants, and consultancy roles, while her academic contributions include more than 98 peer-reviewed publications.
As a mentor in the Building Women & Youth-led Network Alliances for Agroecology and Organic Agriculture (WYNA) Programme, Prof. Meludu is committed to empowering young leaders, strengthening agroecological knowledge, and fostering the next generation of champions driving sustainable and resilient food systems.
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Jean-Pierre Sayouba Djiela is a sustainable development and agroecology expert with over 16 years of experience in advancing ecological agriculture, capacity building, and rural entrepreneurship across Africa. He currently serves as Head of Programs, Monitoring, and Marketing at the Centre Polyvalent de Formation (CPF) Mbouo, Cameroon, where he leads initiatives that strengthen sustainable agricultural systems and professional training.
A passionate advocate for organic agriculture and ecological transition, Jean-Pierre has designed specialized training curricula, supported the professional integration of more than 280 agropastoral entrepreneurs, and championed inclusive learning opportunities for smallholder farmers, youth, and persons with disabilities. As a member of the PROFOCAP pedagogical team, he has trained agroecology advisors using the Experience–Reflection–Generalization–Application (ERGA) approach.
Jean-Pierre is the Founding President of Actions Communautaires pour le Développement et le Bien-Être (ACODEB) and Chair of the African Green Store Network (AGSN), a pan-African network connecting 36 training centres across 12 African countries. His work has also earned international recognition through collaborations and conferences on renewable energy, sustainable food systems, solar irrigation, and carbon markets across Africa and Europe. His expertise spans organic agriculture, agroforestry, competency-based training, project design, knowledge management, and sustainable development. He is currently completing a PhD in Clinical Pathology at the University of Buea, where his research explores innovative technologies for public health and agricultural preservation.
As a mentor in the Building Women & Youth-led Network Alliances for Agroecology and Organic Agriculture (WYNA) Programme, Jean-Pierre is mentoring Tabe Brandon, supporting his growth as an agroecology leader by sharing practical expertise, strengthening leadership skills, and fostering innovative solutions for sustainable food systems across Africa.
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Oluwatayo Oni is an Agricultural Development Specialist with over a decade of experience designing and implementing donor-funded agricultural development programmes across Africa. His work is driven by a passion for strengthening rural livelihoods, advancing sustainable agriculture, and empowering farmers through innovative, market-oriented, and climate-smart solutions.
Throughout his career, Oluwatayo has worked extensively to strengthen farmer organizations, improve agricultural finance systems, and enhance institutional capacity. He has successfully provided technical assistance, facilitated multi-stakeholder partnerships, and supported the design and implementation of programmes that promote inclusive agricultural growth and resilience. His expertise spans agricultural finance, market systems development, organizational strengthening, climate-smart agriculture, and rural development.
Oluwatayo is also the General Secretary of the African Green Store Network (AGSN), a network of agricultural training institutions operating across 13 Anglophone and Francophone countries in Africa. Through this role, he fosters collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity development among institutions working to promote agroecology, entrepreneurship, and sustainable food systems across the continent.
Deeply committed to mentorship and youth empowerment, Oluwatayo believes that investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders is essential for building resilient and inclusive food systems. He is passionate about equipping young professionals with the knowledge, confidence, and networks needed to drive meaningful change in their communities. As a mentor in the Building Women & Youth-led Network Alliances for Agroecology and Organic Agriculture (WYNA) Programme, Oluwatayo is mentoring Nsiima Faith, sharing his wealth of experience, strategic insight, and leadership to support her professional growth and strengthen her capacity to contribute to Africa's sustainable agricultural transformation.
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Theresa Gitau is a trailblazer in agroecology, circular economy, and sustainable agribusiness, dedicated to creating food systems that work for people, for the planet, and for prosperity. As Chief of Operations at Organic Kenya Limited (OKL), she leads the production and promotion of certified organic fertilizers that restore soil health, improve agricultural productivity, and support thousands of smallholder farmers across Kenya.Driven by a vision of turning environmental challenges into opportunities, Theresa founded EcoFarm Organics, an innovative agroecological enterprise that transforms urban organic waste into high-value agricultural inputs. Through this work, she is championing circular economy solutions that reduce waste, regenerate ecosystems, and strengthen sustainable livelihoods.
Beyond enterprise leadership, Theresa is a researcher, agroecologist, community educator, and gender advocate committed to ensuring that women, youth, and girls are at the forefront of transforming Africa's food systems. Her work applies gender-transformative and participatory approaches, empowering communities to take ownership of development initiatives while building resilient, inclusive agricultural enterprises.
A dedicated mentor, Theresa has supported emerging leaders through the African Women Leaders in Agroecology (AWOLA) and Youth in Agroecology Learning Track for Africa (YALTA) programmes, where she has nurtured women and youth innovators, strengthened leadership skills, and cultivated networks that advance agroecology across the continent. As a mentor in the Building Women & Youth-led Network Alliances for Agroecology and Organic Agriculture (WYNA) Programme, Theresa is mentoring Irene Wanjiku, sharing her expertise in agroecological entrepreneurship, circular economy innovations, and inclusive leadership. Through her guidance, she aims to inspire Irene to become a confident changemaker capable of driving sustainable food systems and creating lasting impact within her community and beyond.
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