About > Key Staff

Key Staff

IFDC’s team of professionals is one of the most highly skilled groups in the world, with significant expertise in agronomics, economics, political and trade reform, project development and coordination, research, scientific study, sociology, training and other areas related to the agricultural value chain. Chosen from governments, institutions, NGOs and private enterprises around the globe, they serve IFDC's regions of focus through the pursuit of social, economic and agricultural advancements with the goal of increasing food security, alleviating hunger and poverty and protecting the environment.

Amit H. Roy

President and CEO

Dr. Amit Roy has been the president and chief executive officer of IFDC since 1992. Under Roy’s leadership, IFDC’s programs have broadened to help create sustainable agricultural productivity around the world, alleviating hunger and poverty and ensuring global food security, environmental protection and economic growth.

John H. Allgood

Chief Operating Officer

John Allgood, IFDC chief operating officer, has more than 30 years of global experience in fertilizer sector development. As former director of IFDC’s EurAsia Division (EAD), he provided strategic planning and management oversight of IFDC programs in Asia and Europe.

André de Jager

Director, North and West Africa Division

Dr. André de Jager is the director of the North and West Africa Division (NWAFD), based in Accra, Ghana. He works with donors, cooperating entities and over 200 staff members to execute IFDC projects in 16 countries in the region.

Sarah Gavian

Chief Economist

Dr. Sarah Gavian, IFDC chief economist, develops economic policies and guidelines consistent with IFDC’s strategic and operational goals. She works with staff worldwide to lead, coordinate, support and review the major economic and policy dimensions of IFDC’s current and recent projects.

J.J. Robert (Rob) Groot

Director, East and Southern Africa Division

Rob Groot, director of IFDC’s East and Southern Africa Division (ESAFD), has more than 25 years of experience in international agricultural development, particularly relating to food security problems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Groot’s management, communications and acquisition skills led to the expansion of IFDC projects in Africa.

Peter J. Heffernan

Director, Research and Development Division

Dr. Peter J. Heffernan, director of IFDC’s Research and Development Division, has 30 years of experience spanning competitive intelligence, market research, strategic planning and enterprise valuation as well as business, economic and project analysis. He previously worked with IFDC as a corporate and private sector development expert with the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Feed the Future initiative.

Timothy Karera

Director, Training and Workshop Coordination Unit

Timothy Karera, director of the Training and Workshop Coordination Unit, has more than 20 years of international training experience. He has completed short- and long-term assignments in 25 countries on three continents. He is well-versed in training of trainers, adult education, training administration, human resource development and management, program management, proposal development, strategic planning and finance management.

Scott Mall

Chief Communications Officer, Information and Communications Unit

Scott Mall, IFDC chief communications officer, has demonstrated success creating and leading integrated strategies to build organizational reputation and presence and mobilizing stakeholders to support an organization’s strategic goals.

Rob Nooter

Senior Development Officer

Robert Nooter, IFDC senior development officer, has 30 years of experience in international economic development, public policy advocacy on international and domestic issues, organizational management and external relations.

John T. Shields

Interim Director, Operations Division

John Shields has more than 45 years of experience in chemical product research and development, production, marketing and management. Prior to joining IFDC, Shields was a consultant to several multi-national corporations on fertilizer technology development, especially regarding controlled release fertilizers.