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The Executive Board is the principal decision-making body of the Crop Trust.

The  Executive Board normally meets twice each year. Members of the Executive Board are appointed by key Crop Trust stakeholders. These members include:

  • four members appointed by the Governing Body of the Plant Treaty, at least two from developing countries;
  • four members appointed by the Donors’ Council of the Crop Trust;
  • one non-voting member appointed by the Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization;
  • one non-voting member appointed by the Chair of CGIAR;
  • two members appointed by the Board itself; and
  • the Executive Director of the Crop Trust, ex officio.

The Executive Board ensures that:

  • the policies of the Crop Trust are in line with its mission, including support for the Plant Treaty and the overall policy guidance provided by its Governing Body, and are consistent with the aims of the Global Plan of Action;
  • the Crop Trust is managed effectively by the Executive Director in harmony with the agreed objectives, programs and budgets, in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements; and
  • the future well-being of the Crop Trust is not jeopardized by exposing its financial resources, its staff or its credibility to imprudent risks.

To ensure these qualities, the Crop Trust’s Executive Board is responsible for approving:

  • the appointment of the Executive Director;
  • the annual program of work and budget of the Crop Trust;
  • annual reports (view Annual Reports and Annual Financial Statements here);
  • the fundraising strategy; and
  • policies and regulations to ensure fiscal and operational efficiency, accountability and integrity.

For the full details on the responsibilities of the Executive Board, please see the Crop Trust’s Constitution.

The Crop Trust’s Executive Board is currently chaired by Catherine Bertini.

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Catherine Bertini

Catherine Bertini

Chair of the Executive Board

Mercedes Aráoz

Mercedes Aráoz

Vice-Chair of the Executive Board

Carlos Furche

Carlos Furche

Executive Board Member

Jean-Christophe Gouache

Jean-Christophe Gouache

Executive Board Member

Dagfinn Høybråten

Dagfinn Høybråten

Executive Board Member

Masaru Iwanaga

Masaru Iwanaga

Executive Board Member

Bernard Lehmann

Bernard Lehmann

Executive Board Member

Emmy Simmons

Emmy Simmons

Executive Board Member

Joachim von Braun

Joachim von Braun

Executive Board Member

Ismahane Elouafi

Ismahane Elouafi

FAO Representative (non-voting)

Sonja Vermeulen

Sonja Vermeulen

CGIAR Representative (non-voting)

Observers to the Executive Board

Kent Nnadozie, Secretary of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

Taek-Ryoun Kwon, Chair of the Donors' Council

Victoria Sant, Chair of the Investment Committee

Former Executive Board Members
ÉLIANE UBALIJORO, Member from 2020-2023
HANNE BLÅFJELLDAL, Member from 2020-2022
MARCIO DE MIRANDA SANTOS, Member from 2017-2022
PREM LAL GAUTAM, Member from 2017-2019
MARY ANN P. SAYOC, Member from 2017-2019
GEBISA EJETA, Member from 2017-2019
ALEXANDER MÜLLER, Member from 2015-2020
KNUT STORBERGET, Member from 2015-2020
MAURICIO LOPES, Member from 2014-2016
MARIE HAGA, Former Executive Director 2013-2019
PETER CRANE, Former Chair of the Executive Board from 2019-2021 and Member from 2013-2019
TIMOTHY ANDREW FISCHER, Former Chair of the Executive Board and Member from 2013-2019
ROBERTO RODRIGUES, Member from 2011-2013
IBRAHIM ASSANE MAYAKI, Member from 2011-2013
WALTER FUST, Former Chair of the Executive Board and Member from 2010-2017
MODIBO TIÉMOKO TRAORÉ, Member from 2009-2011
EMILE FRISON, Member from 2009-2013
MANGALA RAI, Member from 2007-2009
SHIVAJI PANDEY, Member from 2007-2009
KARL ERIK OLSSON, Member from 2007-2010
WANGARI MAATHAI, Member from 2007-2011
JOHN LOVETT, Member from 2007-2012
MARGARET CATLEY-CARLSON, Member from 2007-2012
JORIO DAUSTER, Member from 2007-2010
ADEL EL-BELTAGY, Member from 2007-2011
CARY FOWLER, Former Executive Director 2007-2012
Summary Reports of Executive Board Meetings
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