Nourishing the Future: Addressing Food Security and Its Impact on the Global Economy

Nourishing the Future: Addressing Food Security and Its Impact on the Global Economy

Wednesday, June 12, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. EST / 7:00 p.m. EAT | Virtual 

Panelists: 

Dr. Patrick Maluki: Chair Dept of Diplomacy and International Studies, University of Nairobi

Dr. Patrick Maluki holds a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies, a Masters degree in International Studies, a PGD in Mass Communication and a Bachelors Degree in Education. He is an experienced trainer and researcher in Diplomacy and International conflict Management, International Negotiation, Mediation, human rights and governance and peace building issues. Dr. Maluki is a Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies, University of Nairobi and at the National Defence College (Karen). He also trains at the Kenya School of government and the Defence Staff College-Karen. He is the chairman of the Diplomacy Scholars Association of Kenya and editor of the Africa Journal of International Studies. Dr. Maluki is also the Associate Editor of the IDIS Journal of Diplomacy and International Studies.

Dr. Maluki has authored a number of books: Peace Building Strategies and Sustainable Peace in Rwanda and Burundi; Combating New Piracy in the Indian Ocean; Role of Parliament in Peacebuilding; The Indian Ocean Rim: Order, Cooperation and Community and Communication Strategies in Disaster Management.

Some of his Book chapters: ‘Building Trust in post-conflict societies: the human rights and peace building lessons learned in Mt.Elgon’ in Bad Andreassen et al Poverty and Human Rights 2017, Focus Publishers; ‘Piracy as a threat to Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean’, in Makumi Mwangiru and Aparajia Biswas (eds) East Africa-India Security Relations, Nairobi: IDIS/PRIASA; “The Implications of Alshabaab and Small Arms and Light Weapons in Security of Horn of Africa: A Focus on Kenya”. In Vidya Jain and Matt Meyer (eds) Satyagraha / Ujamaa: Connecting Contemporary African-Asian Peacemaking and Nonviolence; “Building trust in post-conflict societies: The human rights and peace building lessons learned in Mt. Elgon region in Kenya '' in Bård A. Andreassen, T. Barasa and JB Ndohvu (eds). Poverty And Human Rights – East African Perspectives.

Dr. Maluki has carried out academic research, facilitated workshops and published extensively.

2019, the role of governance in realization of SDGs in Kenya

2017 he carried out a study on strengthening community’s resilience against radicalization and violent extremism in Kenya.

in 2013, carried out a research on the gender dimension of international terrorism 

C.D. Glin: President, PepsiCo Foundation & Global Head of Social Impact, PepsiCo Inc.

C.D. Glin is a Senior Executive, strategist, and thought leader known for expertise at the intersection of philanthropic, government, non-profit and private sectors. His executive management combines strategic planning, programmatic execution with careful oversight of internal operations, and leadership of diverse teams in global locations, all hallmarks of his career.

Currently, he is President, PepsiCo Foundation and Global Head of Social Impact, PepsiCo Inc. In this role, Glin is responsible for the daily management of the PepsiCo Foundation. He oversees the Foundation's strategic direction and continued focus on driving progress towards a more sustainable food system, leading global internal and external engagement around The PepsiCo Foundation's three global focus areas to create equitable access to: Food and Nutritional Security, Safe Water, and Economic Opportunity.

Prior to PepsiCo, Glin served as the President and CEO of the U.S. African Development Foundation, a philanthropic organization established by Congress as a federal government corporation. He managed, deployed, and leveraged philanthropic resources to create pathways to prosperity for underserved and agricultural dependent populations throughout Africa. During his tenure, $150+M in grants has been awarded to more than 1,500 organizations resulting in the creation of 1.3 million jobs directly impacting 5+ million people.

Previously, he was an Associate Director of The Rockefeller Foundation as well an appointee, in the Obama Administration he served as the first Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Global Partnerships for the Peace Corps.

Earlier Glin served as Vice President for Business Development at PYXERA Global, a global non-profit, and consulted for the State Department, USAID and the World Bank while living in Ghana and Nigeria.

He began his career, as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the first South African program during the transformational leadership of President Mandela.

Glin served on the 2008 Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team and in 2011 was honored as a Champion of Change in Civic Engagement and International Service by the White House. Additionally, he is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Carter Center, Board Director of Root Capital, Life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Glin earned a BA from Howard University, a Masters- level Diploma in Strategy and Innovation from the Said Business School at Oxford University and completed Harvard Business School’s Leadership for Senior Executives Program.

Queen Mother Nina Womack: Global Director of Humanitarian Services, African Diaspora Union

Queen Mother Nina Womack is a Los Angeles native and crowned "Development Queen" in Ghana, West Africa, a royal leadership role charged with community development and community well-being. The creative Humanitarian, Actress, and Social impact multi-preneur is a 30 year veteran in producing African-centered, cultural events, theatrical productions, and multimedia. 

Committed to dismantling systemic barriers, Queen Nina established "Let's Be Whole," a respected public health organization that provides holistic wellness, mental health support, and "food as medicine" initiatives for under-resourced communities. Through its impactful efforts, the charity recovers thousands of pounds of food annually, ensuring nutritious groceries for over 80,000 households while also addressing the pressing issue of food waste. The organization's dedication to combating hunger has earned recognition from the City, County, and State of California. Currently, "Let's Be Whole" is expanding its brand and services to communities in Africa, striving to create a positive impact on a global scale.

As CEO of One World Food Hub, a multinational agricultural collective registered in Nigeria, Uganda and the United States, Queen Mother Nina aims to create food sovereignty for Afro descendants through agricultural trade. With over 250,000 small-scale, African farmers in its network, the hub empowers and supports them to achieve this goal. Additionally, as the Chairwoman of the California chapter of the National Women in Agriculture Association and through Queen’s work with community gardens, urban farms, and involvement as a committee member of L.A.’s Food Policy Council, her mission is to build a sustainable food system rooted in Africa that not only nourishes people globally but also eradicates food insecurity.

Queen Nina serves as the Co-chair for the "Black and African Heritage Subcommittee" within the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. She also holds executive leadership roles in various African organizations, including; Global Director of Humanitarian Services for African Diaspora Union, Director of Women's Affairs for One Map Africa, Global President of the African Youth in Tourism Network, and Ambassador at Heritage Liberia. Her commitment to social impact underscores her unwavering dedication to the socioeconomic advancement of Africans and the African diaspora worldwide.

Enene Ejembi: Executive Director, Verbatim Virtual Solutions, Nigeria

Enene Ejembi is an international development professional and entrepreneurial leader whose early career in retail banking and expertise in Strategic Communication and Knowledge Management informs her work in Economic Growth, Governance, Education and Health. She holds a B.A. English Literature from the University of Jos, an M.Litt. in English Studies from the University of Dundee, trained at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and earned certification from the Knowledge Management Institute. Her role as a Trustee on the Board of Accountability Lab underscores her commitment to open governance and accountability.

She has worked on staff and as an independent consultant within many global development firms and donor funded projects, and now leads her own international development consulting firm - Verbatim Virtual Solutions.

Robert Garverick: Deputy Assistant Secretary for Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, U.S. Department of State 

Rob Garverick is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Trade Policy and Negotiations (TPN). During his three decades at the U.S. Department of State, Rob has focused on economic policy, including macroeconomic stability, trade and investment, energy and the environment, science and technology exchange, agriculture, and global health. His TPN team aims to open markets for U.S. products and services, strengthen trade relationships, protect critical supply chains, and counter non-market and anti-competitive practices with the goal of increasing prosperity and benefitting all Americans.

In Washington, Rob has also advised the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment, served as Deputy Director of the Office of Monetary Affairs, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, and worked as an energy sector analyst. From 2020-2023, he taught economics and industry analysis as an Assistant Professor at National Defense University. Rob served abroad as Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs in New Delhi, India, and Economic Counselor in Islamabad, Pakistan. He has also worked in embassies and consulates in Baku, Azerbaijan; Kyiv, Ukraine; Moscow, Russia; Oslo, Norway, and Hong Kong. 

Rob holds graduate degrees from the National War College and the George Washington University, where he earned a Master of Business Administration, and an undergraduate degree from Kent State University. Prior to the State Department, Rob worked as an international economist at the U.S. Department of Commerce. In 2016, Rob was confirmed by the U.S. Senate for promotion into the Senior Foreign Service. He is married and has two daughters. Although he and his family have lived for many years in Northern Virginia, Rob will always consider Ohio his home.

Moderators:

Violet Esipila: VP of Business and Economic Development, BPIA

Julian Goldstein: Development Assistant of Business and Economic Development, BPIA