Team

Krisztina Tihanyi serves as TASAI Inc.'s Executive Director, overseeing the organization's operations, growth, as well as strategic and financial planning. She is also involved in the review of TASAI publications. She has over seventeen years of experience in international development and nonprofit management. Prior to joining TASAI Inc. she worked as Chief Operating Officer at Market Matters Inc., a US-based development organization working in Africa. A Ph.D. graduate of Cornell University, Kriszta's academic background includes degrees in Psychology (BS), International Peace Studies (MA), and Anthropology (Ph.D.). She is based in Ithaca, New York, USA.

Ed Mabaya is TASAI's Chief Scientific Advisor. In this role, he provides expert scientific guidance to the TASAI team in all areas of seed sector-related research and activities. Ed is a scholar and a development practitioner with more than two decades of experience working on seed sector development, agribusiness value chains and food security issues with a regional focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. He is a Research Professor in the Department of Global Development at Cornell University. From 2018 to 2020 he served as Division Manager of Agribusiness Development at the African Development Bank, where he managed continent-wide investments, partnerships, and research in support of the Feed Africa strategy. He is the former President of African Association of Agricultural Economists, an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow, and the Aspen Institute's New Voices Fellow. Ed earned his PhD and MSc degrees in Agricultural Economics at Cornell University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Zimbabwe. He is based in Ithaca, New York, USA.

Mainza Mugoya is TASAI Inc.'s Program Coordinator. With over 15 years of experience working in Africa, Mainza oversees all the on-the-ground operations of TASAI studies, serves as the primary liaison with country research teams, and is responsible for coordinating in-country dissemination activities. Mainza is also closely involved in preparing TASAI reports and other publications. Prior to joining TASAI, Mainza worked as Policy Officer at the Eastern Africa Farmers' Federation (EAFF). Mainza holds degrees from Makerere University and Cornell University. He is based in Kampala, Uganda.

Michael has held multiple research roles within the organization and currently serves as TASAI Inc.'s Chief Editor. He is responsible for overseeing TASAI's publications and outputs, leading TASAI's rigorous internal report review process. He has decades of experience managing applied agricultural research on markets and policy reforms. Prior to joining TASAI Inc., he worked at the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi, Kenya, and the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI). Michael holds a PhD degree in Agriculture from Humboldt University, MSc degree in Agricultural Economics and Business from the University of Guelph and a bachelor's degree in agriculture from the University of Nairobi. He is based in Nyeri, Kenya.

Winnie Anyoso serves as TASAI Inc.'s Data Analyst, overseeing data operations, management, analytics, troubleshooting, and research contributions while ensuring adherence to TASAI methodologies and data integrity protocols. She possesses experience and knowledge in data analytics, including database management, statistical analysis, data visualization with BI tools, and expertise in machine learning and deep learning applications. Before joining TASAI, Winnie worked as a Data Scientist at Moringa School. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Applied Statistics from the Technical University of Kenya and is based in Kenya.

Jackline Sawe serves TASAI Inc. as Program Assistant. She provides research, administrative, and project management support, working alongside the research and project coordination teams. She has experience in the research and implementation of development projects in the African agriculture sector. Previously, she worked as a project officer at AgriBiz Consult Limited, conducting feasibility studies, training, and coordinating exports of breeding stock. Jackie holds a degree from Makerere University and is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Shon Abegaz is TASAI's Media and Publications Coordinator. She joined TASAI Inc. in 2019 to amplify the digital presence of TASAI's message and liaise with locally based media outlets in the countries where TASAI is active. Shon coordinates the publication of TASAI's Country Reports, newsletter, and other research outputs. Before joining TASAI Inc., Shon worked for Initiatives of Change Switzerland, holding various key positions, including Managing Director of the Just Governance for Human Security Forum and Chair of the Executive Committee. In addition to her work with TASAI, she also serves as Director of the International Institute for Human Security, a peacebuilding organization focused on amplifying the visibility of grassroots actors working to advance the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Shon is a founding board member of TASAI and served on the Board of Directors from 2019-2024. Shon is based in Chicago, IL, USA.

Rachel Smyk-Newton serves as TASAI Inc.'s Finance Manager. She has 9 years of experience in non-profit financial management. She is also the Associate Operations Director for Center for Transformative Action and has served on the boards of two other non-profit educational organizations in roles of President and Treasurer. This is her second career, following a decade of work and study in the field of coastal management planning, where she specialized in helping communities adapt to changes brought on by global climate change. Rachel has a BA in Government from Smith College and a Master of Environmental Science and Management from the University of California Santa Barbara. She is based in Ithaca, New York, USA.