Transdisciplinary + Cross Sector Expertise

The PTFI leadership team brings a broad range of expertise and backgrounds from multiple academic disciplines along with the technology, philanthropy, and nonprofit sectors. We are all driven by solutions for people and the planet.

Leadership

Selena Ahmed

Global Director, PTFI; Dean, Food EDU American Heart Association
John de la Parra

Director, Global Food Portfolio
The Rockefeller Foundation
Tammy Gregory

Executive VP of Healthcare Business Solutions
American Heart Association
Gina Kennedy

Director of Research, Translation and Impact
Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
Maya Rajasekharan

Director of Strategy Integration and Engagement
Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
Roy Steiner

Senior Vice President for the Food Initiative
The Rockefeller Foundation

Secretariat

A coalition of the American Heart Association and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT serves as the Secretariat for the PTFI, providing operational project management and facilitating a multi-stakeholder partnership. The Secretariat leads strategic engagements and communication strategies, positioning PTFI as a truly global, diverse, multi-sectoral, and culturally/geographically representative group of collaborators, partners, and stakeholders.

American Heart Association logo
Alliance Bioversity & CIAT Logo
Elizabeth Arnaud

Thematic Leader, Digital Inclusion
Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
Xue Feng

Senior Database Designer
American Heart Association
Jenny Johana Gallo Franco

Consultant
Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
Sheila Jackson

Senior Program Manager
American Heart Association
Jenn Hall

Chief, Data Science, Co-Director, Institute for Precision Medicine
American Heart Association
Holly Picotte

Clinical Insights Director
American Heart Assocation
Lauren Rauscher

National Executive of Mission Advancement
American Heart Association

Director, Crops for Nutrition and Health
Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
Sarah C. Brinkley

Postdoctoral Fellow
Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

R&D Technology

Steve Watkins

Chief of Science
Founder, Verso Biosciences
Chi Ming Chien

Lead, Database Workstream
Co-founder, Verso Bioscience
Tracy Shafizadeh

Director, Programs & Partnerships
Verso Biosciences
Troy Viss

Designer
Co-Founder, Verso Biosciences
Jessica Prenni

Associate Professor, College of Agricultural Sciences
Colorado State University
Melanie Odenkirk

Research Scientist, Jessica Prenni Lab, College of Agricultural Sciences
Colorado State University

Funding Partners

the rockefeller foundation logo
Foundation for food and agriculture research logo
Seerave foundation logo
Fourfold logo
Atria Health collaborative logo
bill & melinda gates foundation logo