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Board of directors

Farm Africa is governed by a board of directors who bring together a wide range of relevant skills and experience.

Photo of Russell DaSilvaRussell DaSilva - President 

Russell DaSilva is Senior Counsel at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, advising general corporate lending, trade finance and leveraged acquisition finance clients, with a particular focus on cross-border transactions. Prior to this he was a partner at Hogan Lovells in New York, specialising in international banking practice. Educated at Princeton and Harvard Universities, Russell is a member of the International Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the Council on Foreign Relations. Russell speaks five languages.

  

Photo of Greg SilvermanMahlette Betre - Secretary

Mahlette is a conservation and development professional based in Washington, DC. Previously, Mahlette was Director for the Responsible Mining and Energy Program at Conservation International, where she worked for over ten years leading strategic partnerships with major corporations on a range of sustainability initiatives. Prior to joining Conservation International, she worked in the environmental consulting field advising clients on how to develop and implement environmental management systems. She recently completed a year consulting with several NGOs in her native country of Ethiopia.  

 Photo of Greg SilvermanGreg Silverman - Treasurer 

Greg is currently Executive Director of the West Side Campaign Against Hunger. Previously, Greg was Managing Director of Wellness in the Schools and prior to that, Director of National Partnerships for Share our Strength's Cooking Matters 'No Kid Hungry' campaign. Greg has worked in London, England, as a food consultant for public sector organizations and the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames. He has also been a restaurant owner and chef in Ithaca, NY, and spent time as a US Peace Corps volunteer in Mali.