Board Chair David De Ferranti meets with Nutrition International communities in Ethiopia and Kenya

Addis Ababa and Nairobi― Dr David de Ferranti, Chair of Nutrition International’s Board of Directors, was recently in Ethiopia and Kenya to visit our programs and meet with local staff, national and regional government representatives, Canadian officials, partners and other stakeholders.

De Ferranti joined a Nutrition International delegation comprised of Joel Spicer, President and CEO, Dr Richard Pendame, Regional Director, Africa, Margaux Stastny, Director of Advocacy and Communications, Dr Amare Deribew, Country Director, Ethiopia and Joy Kiruntimi, Deputy Country Director, Kenya.

During the week-and-a-half-long mission, De Ferranti participated in an event in Addis Ababa to celebrate Ethiopia’s progress in improving nutrition ― and officially highlight the transition from the Micronutrient Initiative to Nutrition International in the country ― took part in a field visit in Ahmara Regional State to celebrate the Right Start Initiative, and attended a nutrition financing roundtable with Kenyan county health officials. The delegation also visited Nutrition International’s programs in Kenya’s Nandi County.

De Ferranti was deeply appreciative of the experience. “I could not have imagined a more interesting and useful first trip as a board member (and chair) to see how NI is making an important difference on the ground,” he said.

“This is the first time in recent history that a board member has traveled to countries where we work,” said Spicer. “We were very proud to showcase the talent and dedication of our local staff, as well as the difference our interventions are making in the lives of real people, especially women, children and adolescent girls. We hope that this will be the first of many trips for our board members, whose involvement is key to our overall success.”

The mission was also an opportunity for the delegation to meet with multiple decision makers at all levels of government, donors, and current and potential partners in both countries to discuss how to ensure the greatest impact for investment and innovative future collaboration.