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Meet the inspiring voices shaping our conference! Our speakers include industry leaders, innovators, and experts who will share valuable insights, spark meaningful discussions, and inspire action. Explore the lineup and get ready to learn from the best.
Director, Agriculture Research Organization - Volcani Institute
Dr. Benny Chefetz is a Professor of Environmental Chemistry. His main research scope is to enhance knowledge and understanding of the fate and interactions of contaminants of emerging concern in the water-soil-plant-human continuum. He joined the Hebrew University of Jerusalem as a faculty member in 2001. Chefetz served as the Head of the Department of Soil and Water Sciences, was the Vice Dean for Research, and was the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment (2017-2022). He was also the Director of the Hebrew University Center for Sustainable Food Systems.
Prof. Chefetz has published over 150 articles in refereed scientific journals and has supervised more than 60 students and postdoctoral researchers.
Since May 2024, he is serving as the Director of the Volcani Institute, the research arm of the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Chief Executive Officer - Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA)
Dr. Jacqueline David Mkindi is an internationally recognized agribusiness leader, policy advocate, and transformational change agent in the agribusiness sector mainly the horticulture industry. With over 19 years of leadership experience, she has spearheaded groundbreaking agribusiness management, advocacy, and investment facilitation initiatives, unlocking economic opportunities across Tanzania and beyond.
Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the TAHA, Dr. Mkindi also chairs TAHA subsidiaries, TAHAFresh Handling Ltd and GreenCert Ltd, both of which have become leaders in logistics and certification for the East African agricultural sector. Her work has directly contributed to unlocking close to $1 billion in horticulture market opportunities, propelling Tanzania’s horticulture sector onto the global stage.
Dr. Mkindi sits as the Chairperson of the Horticulture Council for Eastern Africa, as well as serving on two high-level platforms advising the President of United Republic of Tanzania on food and agriculture as well as gender issues: Presidential Food and Agriculture Development Council and Gender Equality Forum (GEF)
Associate Professor - University of Maryland
Dr. Turner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Global, Environmental, and Occupational Health at the University of Maryland. His teaching and research involve understanding chemical exposures in acute and chronic disease. His research focuses on supporting populations predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa, to understand and mitigate adverse early life exposures from naturally occurring dietary toxins. He is the UMD co-lead for the Tanzania arm of the Global FEWture Alliance.
Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the TAHA, Dr. Mkindi also chairs TAHA subsidiaries, TAHAFresh Handling Ltd and GreenCert Ltd, both of which have become leaders in logistics and certification for the East African agricultural sector. Her work has directly contributed to unlocking close to $1 billion in horticulture market opportunities, propelling Tanzania’s horticulture sector onto the global stage.
Dr. Mkindi sits as the Chairperson of the Horticulture Council for Eastern Africa, as well as serving on two high-level platforms advising the President of United Republic of Tanzania on food and agriculture as well as gender issues: Presidential Food and Agriculture Development Council and Gender Equality Forum (GEF)
More speakers to be announced and uploaded soon!