Mehrdad Ehsani in

Mehrdad Ehsani

Captain · DISC type DS
Vice President, Food at The Rockefeller Foundation
📍 Kenya

Mehrdad Ehsani is the Vice President, Food at The Rockefeller Foundation, where he co-developed the strategy for a nourishing and equitable food system. With 27 years of experience in economic development and agribusiness, he has a history of leading large-scale market transformation programs, particularly in Africa. Colleagues describe him as an ethical, insightful, and strategic leader.

Mehrdad is passionate about transforming how markets can better serve the poor and shaping sustainable food systems. His interest in facilitation and communication is underscored by his certification as a Professional Mediator, blending his professional focus on ecosystem development with skills in negotiation and conflict resolution.

Unique fact: He was instrumental in linking 30 million smallholder farmer households to markets across 11 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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Experience
30 Years
Current Role
Vice President, Food
Job Level
Senior
Location
Kenya
Personality Overview

How Mehrdad shows up

Decisive But Calm
Output-Driven
Consummate Professional

They exhibit a rare combination of being result-oriented but patient at the same time. They are very professional in their approach and can weigh multiple perspectives together. They might take some time to make their mind up but once they do, they don't change it easily.

Priorities

Topics Mehrdad cares about

Food System Transformation
His current role and recent interviews focus on creating equitable, sustainable, and nourishing food systems, particularly through institutional markets like school meals.
African Agriculture
He has extensive experience leading market development programs in Africa, previously heading initiatives for the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
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Career

Work history

4-2022
Vice President, Food
The Rockefeller Foundation
9-2019 - 3-2022
Managing Director, Food
The Rockefeller Foundation
2-2018 - 8-2019
Head of Markets & Post-Harvest Management, Interim Head of Food Trade
Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)
4-2015 - 1-2018
Freelance Consultant
Palladium, Adam Smith International, SNV USA
1-2011 - 2-2015
Team Leader
Kenya Market Assistance Programme, Adam Smith International
In the press

Media appearances

Mehrdad Ehsani | RF - The Rockefeller Foundation. Featured in The Rockefeller Foundation
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The Rockefeller Foundation's journey to transform food systems using school meals. Featured in School Meals Coalition
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Education
2002 - 2005
Master's Degree
Imperial College London
1991 - 1994
Bachelor's Degree
The University of British Columbia
2023
Executive Leadership Development Programme
Harvard Business School
Social presence
in
Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

D

Dominance (D)

Dominance (D) reflects how goal and task oriented a person is, and their ability to accomplish results irrespective of how demanding the circumstances might be. Those scoring high tend to be motivated by winning, competition, and success.

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