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Tag: leadership

Women in agronomy: the journey of Carolina Cortez

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs.

Carolina Cortez is an agronomist specializing in agricultural parasitology and currently serves as the technical coordinator at CIMMYT’s Pacific-North Hub. Her career reflects the dedication, knowledge, and perseverance required to transform perceptions of women’s roles in the agricultural sector.

With a strong foundation in science and a passion for sustainable farming, Carolina has become a key figure in coordinating technical efforts that support farmers across northern Mexico. Her leadership not only addresses critical challenges in crop protection and productivity but also inspires a new generation of women to pursue careers in agricultural research and innovation.

Carolina Cortez, agronomist and technical coordinator at CIMMYT, shares her experience in agriculture and female leadership in the sector, driving innovation and inclusion in the field. (Photo: Gabriela Bracamonte / CIMMYT)

From her childhood in Sinaloa, she grew up surrounded by crops such as maize, wheat, beans, and sorghum, which sparked her natural interest in agronomy. “One of the main reasons I decided to study agronomy was the environment in which I was born. I grew up in a family of farmers where our family gatherings mainly revolved around discussions about the crops of each agricultural cycle,” she recalls. This close connection to the field led her to enroll at the Autonomous University of Chapingo, where she graduated in agronomy in 2015.

However, her career path has not been without challenges. Despite her knowledge and experience, she has encountered resistance in a sector where traditional ideas about women’s roles in agriculture persist. “The biggest challenge I have faced is getting both farmers and technicians to accept that a woman can oversee or implement new agricultural initiatives. The prevailing perception in some areas is still that agriculture is only for men,” she explains.

Over time, however, she has proven that ability and commitment do not depend on gender, but on preparation and dedication. “As time goes by and we start doing experiments or involving them in field trials, once they see the results, their perspective completely changes, and they realize the need to include women in the agricultural sector,” she adds.

Throughout her career, she has witnessed a growing interest from women in agronomy, not only in technical and field work but also in administrative and managerial roles that strengthen the sector. “Not only are more women enrolling in agronomy programs, but they are also entering administrative areas that support the agricultural sector. This is essential for increasing the visibility of women in agriculture,” she says.

She also believes that the scientific advancements driven by women have been key to opening up new opportunities and challenging existing paradigms. Her work at CIMMYT as technical lead for projects in Sinaloa, in collaboration with companies such as BIMBO, Kellogg’s, and Ingredion, has been a turning point in her career. “One of my achievements has been to serve as the technical lead for CIMMYT projects developed in Sinaloa in recent years. Additionally, I have been a lecturer in training courses on conservation agriculture, regenerative agriculture, and cover crops,” she explains.

For all these reasons, she stresses the importance of professional training and the development of communication skills for young women aspiring to enter the field of agronomy. “I encourage them not to give up on entering this beautiful profession. They should firmly establish their principles, professional integrity, and long-term goals in the agricultural sector, as these will be the foundation for seeking opportunities for integration and applying their acquired knowledge,” she advises.

Finally, she emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and building personal confidence. “I recommend that they begin professional preparation on innovative topics and develop personal confidence. Standing in front of farmers, technicians, and an audience requires fluency and confidence in speaking, which can only be achieved through knowledge and scientific support,” she concludes.

Carolina’s story is a testament to the impact women have in agriculture and serves as an inspiration to continue promoting female leadership in a sector that is constantly evolving.

Be Assiduous, Think Big, Be Committed

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs.

Drawing examples from her work and life, Louise Fresco, a recognized global leader in food and agriculture science, shared the need for diligence, commitment, understanding the bigger cause, and pushing boundaries for women to succeed in their careers. She is optimistic about the progress of women’s roles in fields such as food agriculture, science, and equity. 

The eleventh speaker in the CIMMYT-hosted online seminar series — Catalysts of Change: Women Leaders in Science — was Louise Fresco. Louise is a former UN director, an advocate for scientific research and innovation, a contributor to think tanks, and an advisor to academies in Europe and the United States.

CIMMYT Director General Bram Govaerts opened the session by introducing Louise as “a leader of change, a visionary, a renowned speaker, and thought leader.” Rahel Assefa, CIMMYT Regional Project Manager–Africa, moderated the session.

The ABCs of a Career

Louise recounted the beginnings of her career with the United Nations in Papua New Guinea, at a time when communication relied heavily on handwritten letters. Correspondence with her mother could take up to three months, and she often relied on a two-way radio for work-related communication. She recalled a particular incident when her radio was struck by lightning, leaving her without any means to connect with the outside world. “The transformation brought about by technology since those days has motivated me to push forward, and there is still so much to accomplish,” she said.

Louise shared a few keywords that have helped her interpret the world around her and work toward greater goals. The first is assiduous. “Working hard comes at a price. Balancing your private life and what you want to do at work is important and not easy—so ask for advice when needed. Don’t be shy. Be diligent,” she said.

“Second, think about the big picture,” she continued. “Think about where you want to go.” She also reminded the audience that having the big picture doesn’t mean being naive or believing everything will resolve by itself; rather, it implies knowing where one is standing and where one wants to go. She gave an example of how 20 years ago, genetic modification was a controversial subject and how she believed that “if we do the right science, even if nobody sees it, I will continue to talk about it and try to promote good work in this field.”

The third aspect is commitment. “Committing to work and also to partners, because you can’t do it alone,” she told the audience, adding, “In life, coincidence plays a role—you can’t plan many things, but once there is an opportunity, don’t be afraid to seize it.”

Women in the Workplace

Louise shared her experience working at the male-dominated Wageningen University, where she was the second woman to be appointed professor. She encountered various challenges but focused on collaborating with colleagues across different departments to establish her credibility. She summed up her approach: “Be brave. Be assiduous. Be committed. Find your partnerships. Don’t be afraid to ask.”

When asked about the impact of being a woman in the workplace, Louise reflected, “There were few women in our times, and that was an advantage and a disadvantage—advantage because people would remember me, a disadvantage because they would always think I would serve the coffee and type up the minutes. The trick is to find the balance and not to get upset when people treat you like a secretary.”

“Times are different today. You are lucky to live in a time when it is acceptable to be a woman in science, outreach, or agriculture, as you have the strength of numbers and supportive men who want to see qualified women making strides forward,” she added.

She recounted how, at FAO, she had 16 leadership positions reporting to her—and not one was a woman. She tried to recruit several women for the positions but faced challenges. “The lesson learned is that we must focus on hiring and promoting women at all levels, not just in senior roles.”

Louise stressed the importance of fostering the right mindset from primary school onward. “By the time students reach university, they should understand their potential roles regardless of gender, recognizing that there is no inherent difference in the capabilities of girls and boys. This approach can help cultivate a more inclusive and supportive environment.”

Travel Changes Worldview

Traveling plays a crucial role in personal development and cultural understanding, according to Louise. “Get out of your comfort zone. Go to countries where things are difficult.”

Drawing from her own experience, she recounted living in Africa for eight years without access to running water or electricity. “This experience was enriching from a personal perspective, as it allowed me to understand what it is like to cook meals without electricity or gas. I realized how African women spend hours getting essentials such as water, firewood, and food,” she said. In Asia, she experienced the hardships of working in rice fields barefoot, exposing herself to parasitic diseases. “It helped me understand how women bend over 10,000 times per hectare to plant rice seedlings.” These experiences have profoundly influenced her perspective, reinforcing the importance of the scientists and extension workers in bringing scientific knowledge to these communities to enhance their quality of life.

Continuous Learning for Women in Career

Louise emphasized the need for continuous learning to enhance personal growth. “Take note of things you’ve noticed during the day—things you’ve learned or seen around. Get a reflective diary,” she recommended, also encouraging reading and engaging in art forms. “Read about people different from you—other lives, other periods, other classes,” she said, sharing how she always reads books by authors of the place she is traveling to. Additionally, she highlighted that attending art events with colleagues can strengthen relationships, encourage discussions beyond work, and offer a unique perspective for women.

Role Models and Mentorship

Regarding mentorship, Louise pointed out that while she has never had a mentor herself, she actively advocates for mentorship opportunities for women. “Young men also need mentors. We can’t just emancipate women if we don’t emancipate men too,” she said.

Louise explained how women can balance career growth with personal life—either by specializing in a niche field and always being in demand, or by having children early on and then moving into a career full-fledged. She also suggested creating a network of women to help with childcare.

Louise concluded by sharing how she is extremely optimistic about the progress of women’s roles in food, agriculture, science, and equity. “I’m optimistic because so many women are so resilient and willing to work and discover things,” she said.

Listen to the full edition here — Women Leaders in Science: Louise Fresco.

Say yes, and figure out what gives you energy

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in News.

CIMMYT hosted the 6th instalment of its online seminar series — Catalysts of Change: Women Leaders in Science — featuring Diane Holdorf, executive vice president and a member of the Senior Management Team at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

Drawing on varied experiences from a diverse career in sustainability, Holdorf used her talk to emphasize the importance of saying ‘yes’ in the face of big changes, identifying what energizes you, being present at home and at work, and supporting others to succeed with their objectives.

Translating science

As the daughter of a geologist, Holdorf spent much of her childhood outside looking at rocks, an experience she credits with giving her an affinity for nature. “I found it was a way that really connected me and grounded me in my surroundings. What are we looking at? What are we looking for? What’s in the patterns and shapes of what we see?”

Holdorf talks about her childhood. (Photo: CIMMYT)

After deciding that she didn’t want to go into science, Holdorf opted to study public communications at university and was promptly recruited by an advertising agency upon graduating. “It was the first time that something big came up where I just said: ‘Yes. Yes, I’ll try it. Why not?’ And that theme of saying yes in the face of these big changes is one that’s proven to be incredibly helpful.”

However, having moved halfway across the country for the job, Holdorf quickly found that she disliked the role. “It was a really important lesson in learning what I didn’t value and what I didn’t want to do,” she said. “That came really early in my career, the idea that I needed to be way clearer in my convictions. What matters to me? What do I want to be working in? And that led me to go into environmental consulting.”

“Maybe not an obvious path, but my dad had been an environmental consultant,” she explained. “So, in some ways I’d fallen back into something that was a bit familiar, but that I could make my own.”

In this new role, Holdorf found she could put her communications skills to use in a way she found energizing, translating scientific and technical solutions into words that clients could understand or that project managers could frame and create workplans around. “Without realizing it, it grew into this role of being the translator between ‘what does the science and engineering tell us’ and ‘what are the business solutions that we need to use that information to solve for.’”

“I’ve learned that what really drives me and what gives me the most energy is working together with people to create the biggest impact and change we possibly can,” she explained. “What motivates me the most is trying to drive action on these extremely urgent challenges of climate, nature, equity, and in our food systems.”

Helping others succeed

“Leading with clear objectives and clear boundaries is really important,” said Holdorf. “And I don’t mean that in a rigid way. I mean knowing what I can accept when engaging with others, and what I will not go past. What areas of acceptance are needed for my integrity in a role.”

She noted that one of the things that has been particularly useful throughout her career — especially during the first 15 years, when she was often the only woman in the room — are the male colleagues who stood up for her, coached her and provided feedback on her work.

Pauline Muindi and Diane Holdorf engage in a conversation on women in leadership. (Photo: CIMMYT)

“And I listened hard,” she explained. “I asked for that feedback and really worked to incorporate it because I could tell that what they were telling me was meant to help make my role easier. That was a hugely valuable lesson because it taught me that if it was that important for me, it meant that I could in fact play that same role for others.”

As a result, she now encourages not only learning how to seek out mentorship, but also reflecting at every stage of a career, identifying opportunities to mentor others, and creating a stream of development and gift-giving.

“How do we ensure that our work helps others to succeed?” she asked. “Because often when we’re working in these spaces, we can only achieve our objectives by leading with and influencing others. It’s not very often that we have full control. But learning how our work can help others deliver on the goals that they’ve been tasked with actually creates totally different types of breakthroughs.”

Holdorf’s presentation was followed by a Q&A session led by Pauline Muindi, research support specialist at CIMMYT.

Show that you can thrive and excel in all environments

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in News.

On August 29, CIMMYT held the latest installment of its seminar series on women’s leadership—Catalysts of Change: Women Leaders in Science. The online event featured a presentation from Lindiwe Majele Sibanda, an animal scientist by training, who has previously worked as policy advisor for numerous African governments and global institutions and currently serves as chair of the CGIAR System Board.

In her opening talk, Sibanda outlined the many and varied roles she has held throughout her career, including professor, farmer, and business owner. Discussing her early education in a segregated colonial Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia), her time as an undergraduate student in Egypt, or the challenge of starting a family alongside developing her career, Sibanda was keen to highlight the lessons learned at each stage of life and emphasized the importance of creating cross-cultural friendships, nurturing professional networks, establishing priorities, and promoting continuous learning.

A learning spirit

Sibanda has over 15 years of experience working as a governor at national, regional, and international levels, but it took some time to initially build her confidence in the role. She recalled feeling daunted during her very first meetings because she had not been trained, but her learning spirit helped carry her through. “I always looked around the room and chose my mentors—based on something I liked about their values—something I liked about the way they asked questions, or something I liked about their demeanor and how they engaged with others—and I started learning.”

This approach has garnered her a large circle of mentors—and friends—and having served on more than 12 different boards she now feels this is a space that she enjoys, particularly as there are still opportunities for learning. “I think it’s the spirit of continuous thirst for knowledge, for new information, that has kept me going.”

“And it’s all about integrity,” she added. “What people see in me is what they get. I’ve never had to be fake. What I know, I make sure I know very well. What I don’t know, I’m not shy to say I don’t know.”

Convince each other that it can be done

Having unpacked her life as a scholar, mother, working professional, and governor, Sibanda explained that her current focus is on giving back. For her, supporting the next generation of women in the workplace is a key part of leadership. She cited Graça Machel and Mama Mary Robinson as inspirations, both for their work ethic and their ability to connect with people at different levels. “But most importantly, they give it to other women,” she said. “They love mentoring girls and other women.”

In her own experience, some of the major obstacles she faces as a woman, a farmer, and an African are the specific biases associated with each of those three things. “Women need to be helped, they are disadvantaged; farmers are poor, especially if they come from Africa; and mothers need to spend more time at home and not be globetrotting to meetings.” To counter these biases, she explained, it is important to show that you can thrive and excel in all environments. “It’s not about either or, it’s about showing we can do it, regardless of the circumstances.”

“Women are natural agents of change, and all they need is a conducive environment. As women, we should be spending more time with other women, making sure we share our stories, our successes, and our struggles. The whole idea is to convince each other that it can be done.”

Sibanda’s presentation was followed by a Q&A session led by Ana Luisa Garcia Rivera, senior regional genotyping coordinator at CIMMYT. Watch the recorded session below.

Women leaders in science: reaching out to break through

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in News.

On August 15, 2023, CIMMYT organized the third series of the Catalysts of Change: Women Leaders in Science virtual seminar for a conversation on advancing women’s leadership in science, showcasing a wealth of power-packed insights and success stories.

Featuring Catherine Bertini, an accomplished leader in international organization reform and a powerful advocate for women and girls, the TED talk meets fireside chat style seminar began with a pre-recorded message from Catherine highlighting how women as catalysts of change can play an essential role in breaking through gender barriers in leadership roles. “Each of us must define for ourselves what’s important to us. We should assume opportunities to lead and to improve. We need to reach out, look forward and say, I’m going to make a difference. We can all be a catalyst for change,” stated Catherine, the 2003 World Food Prize laureate.

CIMMYT Director General Bram Govaerts highlighted the importance of recognizing the immeasurable contributions of women leaders in science. “We want more women leaders in organizations like CIMMYT. Through the recently launched CIMMYT 2030 Strategy, we are taking one step further in ensuring that gender equality isn’t just a concept but a reality, he reiterated. “The CIMMYT 2030 Strategy leverages a systems approach to overcome barriers to achieving gender equity by providing more opportunities to hear and learn from current women leaders in all capacities,” explained Govaerts.

“Girls can do anything,” Catherine set the scene for her presentation, showcasing personal stories based on her remarkable career and leadership journey. She detailed her distinguished career of improving the efficiency and operations of organizations serving poor and hungry people around the world. Sharing behind-the-scenes insights and actionable takeaways, Catherine wanted participants to walk away remembering, “here are some of the things that I have learned that I’d like to share with you today: engage in meaningful networking opportunities; be intentional about the impacts you want to create; understand your own tolerance level; be grounded in your principles, and champion inclusive leadership by mentoring others.”

Natalia Palacios, a member of the Woman in Science group at CIMMYT, interviewed Catherine. “Catherine’s contributions have been instrumental in enhancing food security, nutrition, and gender equality. Her advocacy has shed light on the crucial roles that women play in food production, family nutrition and community resilience—areas that are aligned with CIMMYT’s mission,” said Natalia. Responding to Natalia’s question on proud moments, Catherine talked about the Trust Fund she created with her World Food Prize to support programs that increased opportunities for girls and women to attend school. “I created the Catherine Bertini Trust Fund for Girls’ Education. There are some wonderful stories of support we’ve given. I learned that nobody should underestimate their potential to be a role model,” she added.

Catherine also addressed questions from session participants on how to build inclusive organizations through a learning culture; tips to help employees adapt to new technology in the age of artificial intelligence (AI); and approaches to manage culture change: how to find the balance and address tensions and trade-offs.

The third session ended with closing remarks from Bram who expressed his gratitude to Catherine for participating in the Catalysts of Change Seminar Series, highlighting her incredible leadership journey and unwavering passion in accelerating the advancement of women in leadership. “This was such an inspiring conversation. There are two take home messages for me: let us appreciate the contributions of those who came before us; and we need more dialogue and to listen to each other much more,” he concluded, underscoring CIMMYT’s commitment to changing the leadership equation through greater representation of women leaders at CIMMYT and CGIAR.

To learn more about Catalysts of Change: Women Leaders in Science, click here to watch the seminar video or visit our website.