Our Founders

  • Carin Smaller, Executive Director

    Carin co-founded the Shamba Centre to continue her lifelong quest to end hunger and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

    She brings over fifteen years of experience advising policy makers, donors, and parliamentarians in more than 20 countries on public and private investment and trade in agriculture and food systems.

    Learn more about Carin

  • Oshani Perera, Director of Programmes

    Oshani She co-founded the Shamba Centre to find systemic ways to make food systems more sustainable.

    She has 16 years of experience providing advice and advocacy in 25 countries on topics related to sustainable infrastructure, nature-based solutions, ESG and sustainable finance.

    Learn more about Oshani

  • Francine Picard, Director of Partnerships

    Francine co-founded the Shamba Centre to increase political commitment to end hunger and close the gender gap.

    Shas worked for 15 years advising governments, regional authorities and farmers organisations in Africa on topics related to agriculture, land, climate change, gender, and regional integration.

    Learn more about Francine

Our Board

  • Semegnish Asfaw Grosjean

    PRESIDENT

    Segma Grosjean is the Programme Executive at the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs of the World Council of Churches.

  • Seyni Nafo

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Seyni serves as Spokesperson for the African Group of Negotiators and currently acts as coordinator of the African Adaptation Initiative which aims to strengthen adaptation to climate impacts in Africa.

  • Jonathan Gavshon

    SECRETARY

    Jonathan is currently the CEO of Group Homes Australia, a for-purpose business offering care for people living with dementia.

Our Thought Leaders