Executive Team

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PATRICK CORTBAOUI is a renowned leader who is sought-after for his capacity to provide expert and strategic counsel and deliver bespoke advisory solutions to global food systems challenges. His extensive field experience enables an understanding of the nuances and intricacies of international development programs. He has a broad history of operational excellence and implementing innovative, scalable solutions. He exemplifies leadership by supervising and mentoring of others, as well as through ambassadorship and role-modeling.

Dr. Cortbaoui received his PhD. in Bioresouce Engineering from McGill University. He is an agricultural engineer, food security expert, and project manager with over 15 years of experience in providing solutions to alleviate food insecurity in various regions of the world, including North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Middle East and Asia. He currently serves as Director of the M.A. Gilliam Institute for Global Food Security at McGill University. Throughout the past years, he has held leadership positions in professional training and international development, establishing a vision and strategy for program design. He participated in strategy sessions to advise teams on the competitive landscape, partners preferences, and evidence-based approaches. He also provided demand-driven technical support to projects, such as serving as a thought leader to help solve the technical implementation of innovative approaches for capacity building. 

SAMUEL COMPTON brings a wealth of experience in inter-community conflict resolution, rural resilience and alleviating the effects of climate change on developing economies. He focuses on mechanisms that promote food sovereignty and strengthening sustainable agricultural systems, particularly for indigenous communities.

He draws on his mix of legal and communication skills, including extensive periods developing unique media content for markets in Africa. He also has a global perspective with his roles at the World Health Organization. Away from large institutions he works with local media outlets in post conflict societies, producing relevant programme material around countering violent extreme (CVE), gender empowerment and rural property rights.

He has served as CEO for the Kenya Television Network, MD for the Nation Media Group’s Broadcast Division in East Africa and as Executive Director for AREWA24, a Hausa language free-to-air satellite television channel based in Northern Nigeria. 

Beginning a media career in his native Ireland, Compton was soon playing a leading role in launching and strengthening media content in Eastern Europe, Jordan, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. He has expertise in designing communication strategies helping communities produce policies that are driven by local groups and welfare organisations aimed at improving agricultural innovations – bringing together plant and soil  experts with smallholder farming associations. 

Compton holds an MSc, LLB and Post Graduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism.

DRASHTI ZAVERI is an accomplished researcher and evaluation specialist with extensive expertise in global food security. Having earned advanced degrees from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India, and a Master of Science in Human Nutrition from McGill University, Canada, Drashti has developed her expertise in designing and implementing comprehensive mixed-method evaluations and strategic frameworks. As an Evaluation Specialist at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary in Canada, she leads the development and execution of detailed program evaluations, utilizing quantitative and qualitative data to optimize program outcomes and support strategic decision-making. Her previous experience at McGill University includes designing innovative courses on food security and sustainable food systems, implementing strategic frameworks to enhance program efficiency, and leading collaborative projects with indigenous communities to improve food distribution systems in Northern Quebec. Her unwavering commitment to sustainable health solutions and community well-being underscores her dedication to advancing food security and improving individual and communal health on a global scale.

ANDRE DIATTA is passionate about international development and finding sustainable solutions to improve the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of global food systems while enhancing the livelihoods of local communities. He actively collaborates with multiple agriculture and nutrition organizations to advance agri-driven development that eradicates hunger, diminishes poverty and food insecurity, and fosters economic growth and sustainable development in Africa. Dr. Diatta is an assistant professor of agronomy and is acting as the coordinator of the Master in Prevention and Management of Food Security Risks in Africa (PGRSA) at Gaston Berger University (Senegal). Andre is also a Research Affiliate in Agroforestry and Agronomy at the Ecological Monitoring Centre (CSE). Andre served as the Team Leader for the Joint International Research Project (JIRP) in Senegal at the Centre for Rural Development (SLE), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Germany). Andre has published several refereed journal articles, book chapters, and technical reports and has engaged in projects based in West Africa with the goal of developing human and institutional capacity in agricultural teaching, research, training, and outreach. Andre holds a PhD and MSc in Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences from Virginia Tech (USA) and a MSc in Agroforestry from Assane Seck University of Ziguinchor (Senegal).

RAPHAEL AJIMA is a passionate and bilingual professional with over half a decade of experience in international development and social entrepreneurship. He partakes in cross-cutting development initiatives spanning Africa, the Americas, and Europe. With extensive experience in planning and delivering multilateral projects, he has worked in food systems, biomanufacturing, health technology, and youth engagement. He is the Program Manager at the Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) Biological and Biomedical Engineering (Non-Thesis) – Biomanufacturing at McGill University. The program provides training and capacity-building in sustainable biomanufacturing in Canada and globally. In his current role, he oversees the administration, development, and implementation of initiatives that support the program strategy. Raphael has also been a researcher and associate for reputable organizations, including piloting longer-term projects with industry partners and stakeholders. Some of the projects he has previously worked on include a Transitions Project funded by the Mastercard Foundation (MCF), an asset-financing model with Amaecom Global Ltd, and as an Agricultural Management Innovator at ECOM Agroindustrial Ltd., around Sustainable Management Services (SMS) offerings on Climate Change Impact Remodelling, irrigation, tree tenure registration, soil care technologies, and women empowerment in Ghana. Raphael completed his studies at McGill University as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, graduating with honours in International Development and Social Entrepreneurship. He serves on diverse learning partnerships, advisories, committees, and ad-hoc groups in the global south and north.

DENYSE MARIELLA JOHNSTON has extensive experience as a development communication professional working with national, regional, and international organizations in the English-speaking Caribbean. For over three decades, she has been facilitating communication among scientists and a wide range of stakeholders, including food growers and processors, donors, and government officials responsible for policy development. She is personable and at ease in a variety of settings and among diverse groups. Her passion for development has motivated her to broaden her focus beyond agriculture to encompass the education, health, and nutrition sectors. She has also worked with private enterprises to improve the consumer experience, build stronger working relationships, and increase productivity and job satisfaction. Denyse recognizes that effective communication is critical to any organization's success and that the success of any development initiative is contingent upon the implementation of well-planned, strategic communication. She appreciates the intrinsic value of each individual and seeks to involve all stakeholders in the decision-making process, from project conception to planning and execution. She studied General Agriculture and Agricultural Extension at the University of the West Indies, Rural Development at the University of Reading, and Strategic Communication Planning at Malmö University in Sweden. She then went on to improve her communication skills in England at Ian McDonald and Associates.

EFFIE DRACOPOULOS brings extensive experience in strategic planning and partnerships development. She comes from an academic background as faculty and partnerships advisor at McGill University. For over 20 years, she has developed and executed successful strategic plans for the advancement of international academic initiatives as well as the development and continued nurturing and growth of international partnerships.

Her areas of expertise include International Education; Business and Partnership Development; Program Design, Development, and Delivery; Distance Learning; Experiential/Transformative Learning (Internships, Service Learning, Work-Integrated Learning), Teaching (Language, Professional Communication, and Intercultural Communication), and Academic Program Coordination. She acts as consultant to AgriAcademyIn on matters regarding strategic planning for impactful, capacity-building, international initiatives; strategic partnership development with government, industry, academia, and NGOs; and acquisition of funding (i.e. grants) and new projects (i.e. proposal-writing).

She is dedicated to helping partners achieve their goals and create meaningful change through high-quality educational initiatives.