Ottawa, CANADA – Nutrition International is pleased to announce the appointment of Ambassador Minata Samaté Cessouma to its Board of Directors. Ambassador Samaté, who currently serves as the Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the African Union Commission, is a distinguished career diplomat and a lifelong advocate for health and nutrition, particularly for children, adolescent girls and women on the African continent.  

“We are thrilled to welcome Ambassador Samaté to our global Board of Directors,” said Board Chair David de Ferranti. “Her extensive experience, dedication and steadfast support for improving the nutritional status of Africa’s women and youth, will play a vital role as Nutrition International works to eliminate malnutrition and empower every child to survive and thrive.” 

Her Excellency Samaté served as the Deputy Minister in charge of Regional Cooperation of Burkina Faso. She also served as Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Ethiopia, Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Ambassador Samate began her diplomatic career in 1988 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso, garnering over 36 years of real-time experience in international relations, diplomacy, governance, health, humanitarian affairs, social development, peace and security.  

“We are excited that Ambassador Samaté is joining the board at such an important moment,” said Joel Spicer, President and CEO, Nutrition International. “In a time of global turbulence and fragmentation – having a seasoned diplomat and veteran of global cooperation like   Commissioner Samate will bolster Nutrition International’s ability to engage and support various governments. This in turn will help drive our efforts to make nutrition a top development priority globally.”  

At the international level, Ambassador Samaté previously served as Director of the United Nations and African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur, where she contributed through negotiations and mediation to strengthening peacekeeping operations, humanitarian affairs and preventive diplomacy. She was the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, from 2017 to 2021, where she played a significant role in advancing the continental agenda for governance, democracy, human rights and stability in Africa.  

“I am honoured to be joining the Board of Directors of Nutrition International,” Ambassador Samaté noted. “In an era of global uncertainties, good nutrition is fundamental for healthy growth, development and future economic empowerment across Africa and around the world. I look forward to working closely with seasoned experts from diverse fields to keep nutrition – particularly for women, children and adolescents – at the forefront of global, regional and national agendas.” 

For more than 30 years, Nutrition International has been dedicated to eliminating malnutrition around the world. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Nutrition International’s global Board of Directors includes former heads of state and leaders in philanthropy, academia, think-tanks, advocacy and impact investing provides strategic guidance and support. Together, the board drives efforts to assist the organization in improving the lives of more than one billion people– particularly women, adolescent girls and children – by 2030.  

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