Ms. Ismahane Elouafi is the CGIAR’s Executive Managing Director (EMD), leading the organization to deliver science and innovation for a food- and nutrition-secure future. Before joining the CGIAR, Dr. Elouafi was the Chief Scientist at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, and a member of FAO’s core leadership team (2020-2023). Formerly, she was the Director General of ICBA (2012-2020). Ms. Elouafi had previously held senior scientific and leadership positions, including Senior Adviser to the Assistant Deputy Minister, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; and Director of Research Management and Partnerships at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Ms. Elouafi has been a member of various strategy expert panels, advisory groups, and Boards of Directors / Trustees. Her contributions to science and policy have been recognized with several prestigious awards and accolades. Dr. Elouafi holds an M.Sc. in Genetics and Plant Breeding (1995) and a Ph.D. in Genetics (2001).