Eugenia Saini, Executive Secretary of FONTAGRO, participated as a guest speaker in the webinar series “Catalysts of Change: Women Leaders in Science” organized by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).

As part of this distinguished series, Saini highlighted the critical role of science, technology, and innovation (STI) as fundamental drivers of economic development, productivity, and human well-being. She emphasized that advancing scientific knowledge and fostering innovation systems are essential to addressing global challenges and improving livelihoods, particularly in agriculture and food systems.

The event brought together leading experts and decision-makers committed to strengthening scientific leadership and accelerating innovation. During her presentation, Saini underscored that strengthening scientific collaboration and investing in research and development are key to generating effective, scalable solutions that respond to real-world challenges.

In this context, she presented FONTAGRO as a unique regional investment and co-financing platform that promotes multi-country, multi-institutional collaboration. Through its model, FONTAGRO supports research, development, and innovation (R&D&I) initiatives aimed at transforming agri-food systems in Latin America and the Caribbean, contributing to increased productivity, sustainability, and resilience.

Drawing on her experience, Saini shared concrete examples of how connecting countries, institutions, and scientific communities can accelerate the translation of knowledge into tangible benefits for farmers and societies. She also highlighted the importance of strengthening value chains, improving agricultural systems, and enhancing market integration through innovation and applied science.

A central message of her intervention was the importance of continuous learning as a professional discipline. She emphasized that in a rapidly evolving world, leaders and scientists must commit to learning something new every week—whether from other disciplines, new technologies, field experiences, or collaboration with peers. This constant learning mindset not only strengthens individual capabilities but also enhances the collective ability of institutions to innovate, adapt, and deliver impact.

The session concluded with a forward-looking message: continuous learning, adaptability, and strong scientific ecosystems are essential to building a more prosperous and sustainable future.

Saini also expressed her sincere appreciation to CIMMYT, and especially to Bram Govaerts and his team, for the opportunity to share experiences from Latin America, the Caribbean, and the broader Western Hemisphere.

Access the event recording here.