Dr. Florence Wambugu has been the Founder, Director, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International since 2002. She is a plant pathologist with a specialization in virology and genetic engineering. She has an honorary Ph.D. Doctorate of Science from the University of Bath, UK, and she has conducted postdoctoral research at the Monsanto Life Sciences Center, United States of America (USA). For over 30 years, she has dedicated her life to agricultural research, where she has made significant contributions to the improvement of sorghum, maize, pyrethrum, banana, and sweet potato.

Previously, she worked as the Africa Regional Director of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri Biotech Applications (ISAAA) in Nairobi; Research Scientist at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research in Kenya (KALRO) and Senior Research Officer (Pathologist) and Coordinator of Plant Biotechnology Research at Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI).

She has published over 100 articles and co-authored various papers, and is the author and publisher of Modifying Africa and Biotechnology in Africa: Emergence, Initiatives, and Future. In 2005, she spearheaded an international consortium that received a USD 21 million global competitive grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

She has garnered numerous awards and honors, notably the Norwegian YARA Prize in 2008, Woman of the Year by Eve Magazine in 2000, Farmers Support Award, Pyrethrum Marketing Board of Kenya in 1990, Monsanto Company Outstanding Performance Award in 1992 and 1993, First Place Medal Winner, Global Development Network Awards, in 2000,  among many others.

Nehemiah Mburu Mugutha (Taylor) holds a Master of Business Administration in Management of Innovation and Technology from Portland State University and an undergraduate degree in Commerce (Accounting). Taylor is an experienced Market systems development professional who has worked at Africa Harvest for 14 years. He has been supporting program/project development and implementation. He has worked with rural communities in Eastern and Southern Africa to enhance access to improved technologies, improve production and productivity, enhance market linkages, commercialize value chains, create employment, and improve livelihoods through sustainable market-led systems.

Jimmy Thompson is an accomplished financial professional, Chartered Accountant, and Auditor with 19 years of experience in finance and accounting. He has expertise in financial strategy, analysis, auditing, risk management, governance, compliance, and performance management. He has successfully driven profitability, improved operational efficiency, and implemented effective financial controls across various sectors, including IT, telecommunications, manufacturing, and financial services.

His strong foundation in data analytics allows him to extract valuable insights and provide strategic guidance. He is skilled in business intelligence tools, predictive analytics, financial modelling, and risk assessment. Additionally, he has extensive experience in creating financial reports for executive teams and boards, and he possesses strong leadership skills in managing teams and building stakeholder relationships.

Glory N. Ndungu is a Human Resource practitioner anchored by a firm belief to be a better version HR professional. She especially aims at inculcating a positive work-life balance in an organization’s human capital. In her capacity, she can assist in matters about HR & Procurement functions and as an Administrator responsible for the efficient function of the front office. She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Management & Administration specializing in Human Resource Management at St. Paul’s University, Kenya, and a certificate in Floral Design. And if you do hand her flowers, be sure to get a unique Art piece