Who we are

Dr Smyth brings over 20 years of senior-level scientific research coordination and management experience to this role, including as Acting Executive Director of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) in Stockholm, Sweden. Karen has worked primarily in the agricultural and environmental sector and has a PhD in Social Policy. From 2016 until 2023, she served as Deputy Director of SEBI-Livestock.

Vanessa leads communications and knowledge exchange activities for SEBI-Livestock as well as for the Livestock Data for Decisions (LD4D) Network. She has a deep interest in sustainable development communications, particularly in the agricultural sector. She previously led communications for the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) based at the University of Copenhagen, and was a Communications Officer at the World Agroforestry Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.

Ana is an economist with expertise in providing technical assistance to programmes targeting smallholder farming systems. She has worked as a monitoring and evaluation specialist for FAO and UNDP in different projects across Latin America and Africa.  She has a MSc in Economics for Rural Development and a MA in Social Policy and Social Development from the University of Manchester. As LD4D Manager her role is to lead on the development of the network and delivery of outputs and outcomes.

Antonia is responsible for leading SEBI-Livestock’s administrative and financial services. This includes the project’s administrative function, co-ordinating the financial management of the project budget and organising international meetings and workshops. Antonia brings extensive experience in administration, having worked in administrative roles within Edinburgh University since 2006. She has previous experience working within the finance and travel industries.

Agnieszka joined SEBI-Livestock community as LD4D Communications and Engagement Officer to provide support with creating engaging communications and organising impactful events. She began her career in mental health before transitioning to communications. Starting as a volunteer in communication roles with Scottish charities, she joined The University of Edinburgh seven years ago. During this time, she worked with diverse medical research groups helping them to achieve their communication objectives and raise their profiles within international scientific communities, while simultaneously completing her MSc in Marketing.

Julie Koehler is passionate about leading behaviour change processes that support deeper inclusion and gender integration within teams. As Head of Gender (Data in Livestock Development) she leads collaborations that support the use of data towards transformative change. Julie has 20 years of experience in humanitarian response, development, and academia, and has worked to build and deliver systems, processes and structures that help integrate gender across portfolios from country teams to global initiatives. She has worked with teams across sectors and contexts to get past challenges and implement solutions. She is a convener of people and a facilitator of collaborative and empowering spaces.