Monica is an Agricultural Economist with extensive experience in Research and Knowledge Management, Portfolio/Programme Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Gender-Responsive Policy in the agriculture sector. With over 15 years of experience in international development, Monica has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills. Her role has often involved providing strategic guidance and support to multidisciplinary teams, ensuring the successful prioritization, development, and implementation of programmes addressing critical issues in agriculture, environment, sustainability, and policy.
Her leadership extends to her role as a social science researcher, where she has focused on food security and safety, seed systems, climate change adaptation, livelihoods and economic empowerment, and the production of high-quality scientific outputs. She has also nurtured strategic partnerships and multi-stakeholder engagements through innovation platforms, networking, negotiation, and dialogue, as well as Project portfolio management engagements that were supported by evidence-based programming, budgeting and investment analysis.
Monica holds various other professional credentials and awards. These include the Policy Fellow – Gender Responsive Agriculture Systems Policy (GRASP) of the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) – 2022 ongoing, Business Development Master Class, Kenya 2022, Future Leaders Training and Certification, CAB International, Wallingford UK 2018, Prince II Foundation and Practitioner certification – Project Management, SPOCE Project Management Ltd. 2016; Early Career Scientist award by the Independent Science and Partnership Council (ISPC) of the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) 2016, the Africa Climate Change Fellowship Program (ACCFP) Laureate 2011 and CLIFF [Climate, Food and Farming] fellowship award for research in climate change adaptation in Uganda. Monica’s commitment to the field of Agricultural Economics is further demonstrated by her active involvement in professional organizations. She is a professional member of Nature Kenya, the East Africa Natural History Society (EANHS), the African Growth and Development Policy (AGRODEP) Modelling Consortium, and the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA). Her active participation in these organizations underscores her dedication to advancing the field and staying abreast of the latest developments and best practices.
She holds a Bachelor’s in Agriculture and Master’s in Agricultural Economics from Makerere University, a Master’s in Business Administration from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University and a PhD from Kenyatta University.