Dr. Dorcas Kalele is a distinguished expert in agriculture, climate change adaptation, and rural development, bringing over 15 years of transformative leadership in designing and implementing high-impact projects across Sub-Saharan Africa. Her deep expertise in fostering sustainable agricultural systems, driving policy reforms, and forging strategic partnerships positions her as a valuable asset to the Stresemann Innovation Group. With a PhD in Climate Change and Adaptation from the University of Nairobi, she combines scientific rigor with practical insights to enhance agricultural productivity, agribusiness competitiveness, and climate resilience.

Dorcas excels in public sector reforms, leveraging her experience collaborating with national governments, international organizations, and local stakeholders to shape inclusive and gender-responsive policies. Her work with institutions such as the World Bank, GIZ, FAO, and the African Union Commission demonstrates her ability to navigate complex governance structures and drive systemic change. She is adept at facilitating multistakeholder dialogues to align policy frameworks with market demands, ensuring smallholder farmers transition toward profitable and sustainable agribusiness models.

A champion of public-private partnerships, Dorcas has a proven track record of bridging gaps between policymakers, businesses, and farming communities to unlock investment opportunities and scale climate-smart innovations. Her involvement in building resilient agri-value chains and promoting market-based approaches ensures that strategic commodity sourcing is both economically viable and environmentally sustainable. She brings a wealth of experience in designing financing models that attract private sector engagement while safeguarding smallholder interests.

As an active board member of high-level initiatives such as the African Union’s AfSTAG-DRR and the World Climate Research Programme Academy, Dorcas is at the forefront of integrating science, policy, and practice to advance climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. Her strategic vision and ability to translate research into actionable solutions will strengthen the Stresemann Innovation Group’s mission to enhance agricultural productivity and climate adaptability through innovation, policy influence, and inclusive partnerships.