Laura Harwig is Director of Feed the Future Partnering for Innovation, a USAID-funded program implemented by Fintrac Inc., that builds partnerships with agribusinesses to help them commercialize new products and services for the benefit of smallholder farmers in emerging markets. Prior to joining Partnering for Innovation, she served as Fintrac Inc.’s Vice President of Field Activities and oversaw implementation of market systems and value chain development programs in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Melissa Schweisguth is a Market Systems Specialist at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in the Bureau for Resilience and Food Security. She delivers technical, analytical and capacity building support to advance inclusive market systems programming globally. This work engages private and public market actors, and communities, to drive positive and sustainable systemic change at scale. She has more than 16 years of experience across nonprofit, private and research environments. Prior to joining USAID, she was a technical director at a development implementer, and held leadership, program management and advisory roles in corporate social responsibility/sustainability, marketing and ethical trade in the food and agriculture sector, with a focus on cocoa, coffee, and consumer food products.

As Deputy Head of the Sustainable Business Unit, Carolin Ehrensperger supports Neumann Gruppe GmbH's export companies to connect closer to farmers and make coffee a profitable and sustainable business for smallholders despite challenges such as climate change. Prior to joining the company, she worked as consultant for social and environmental enterprises at SEED. Carolin holds degrees in economics and international affairs.

Nick Kempson leads the Programme Quality Unit at Farm Africa, which encompasses three teams: Technical Services; Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning; and Programme Support. The Programme Quality Team supports all Farm Africa projects across eastern Africa. His previous experience includes work as a NGO program director, consultant, and development economist for a range of clients including national and provincial governments, private foundations, the World Bank, and USAID, with a particular focus on the agricultural and mining sectors. Nick is based in Dar Es Salaam.

Charles Maina has extensive experience in commercial banking and enterprise development. Prior to joining Root Capital in October 2011, he served at Barclays Bank of Kenya as Business Customer Advisor and later as Agribusiness Relationship Manager at Equity Bank. Charles is currently leading multiple advisory projects at Root Capital, including training, capacity development, climate resilience, young talent partnership, SACCO development, and women initiative in agriculture.

Yolirruth Núñez is Senior Social Performance and Capacity Building Officer at Oikocredit for Latin America. She is in charge of the design and implementation of programs for developing capacities of Oikocredit partners. Yolirruth is also a member of the Regional Advisory Committee, which assesses the risk, social, and environmental performance of Oikocredit partners.