Ms. Joanne Jones is a highly accomplished nonprofit leader with over two decades of experience driving transformative initiatives and building impactful programs. She serves as the Executive Director of the Global Youth Excellence and Leadership (GYEL) Program, a multilateral and multistakeholder initiative comprising intergovernmental organizations, permanent observers, NGOs, and entities with special consultative status in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The program operates within the framework and ecosystem of the United Nations system and under the auspices of its members and organizations.

As a UN Credentialed ECOSOC Delegate, Ms. Jones represents and advocates for youth empowerment and sustainable development at the United Nations headquarters. She actively engages with global leaders to promote initiatives aligned with the UN’s goals, fostering transformative solutions that address critical global challenges.

Prior to her role at GYEL, Ms. Jones served as the Executive Director of The Dream Big Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Rob LoCascio, the CEO of LivePerson—a company recognized as the #1 Most Innovative AI Company in the World by Fast Company. During her tenure, she expanded the Foundation’s flagship program, FeedingNY, which now provides over 10,000 meals annually to families in need, transforming it into a vital resource for underserved communities.

Ms. Jones’s prior roles include serving as Executive Director of the March of Dimes and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, as well as her tenure as Director of Advancement at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School.

Mr. Keith Agoada is a visionary entrepreneur dedicated to revolutionizing the global agricultural supply chain. As the founder of Producers Trust, he has been instrumental in creating a network that empowers farmers worldwide by providing them with direct access to markets and essential data services. This initiative enhances transparency and ensures fair compensation for producers, thereby fostering sustainable agricultural practices.

His expertise and innovative approaches have garnered recognition from esteemed international organizations. Mr. Agoada has actively collaborated with the United Nations, contributing to high-level discussions on sustainable agriculture and climate action. Notably, he participated in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’s learning session on “Artificial Intelligence and Nature Restoration,” where he explored the transformative potential of AI in environmental conservation. He was also a featured speaker at the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) summit at the UN Headquarters, highlighting the role of sustainable agriculture in economic empowerment.

Under Mr. Agoada’s leadership, Producers Trust has expanded its reach to include over 1,000 producer groups across more than 80 countries, impacting the livelihoods of millions of farmers. The organization’s innovative platform, Landscape Relationship Management (LRM™), exemplifies his commitment to leveraging technology to drive sustainable systems change in food and agriculture.

Mr. Agoada’s vision is further strengthened by an esteemed Board of Advisors, whose collective expertise enhances Producers Trust’s capacity for impact and innovation: Susan Rockefeller, Craig Cogut, Adrian Grenier, Dr. Charles Levy, M.D., MBA, Rosa Sangiorgio, and Terry Tamminen.