NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Dr Jyotsna Puri (or Jo) is the Associate Vice-President – Strategy and Knowledge Department (SKD) at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). She leads the organization’s strategy work in IFAD’s key areas targeting climate, private sector, gender, nutrition, youth, markets and social inclusion. Puri, a national of India, provides the vision for evidence-informed advice on program designs and implementation, is part of the executive management committee and overseas a global team of 200 consisting of technical staff. She leads in supporting IFAD’s global remit in providing state-of the art policy advice and is the champion for climate and resilience within the organization.

Puri has worked previously at the Green Climate Fund, 3ie, UNEP, the World Bank and UNDP. She is also adjunct associate professor at Columbia University, New York where she was also a research scientist. She has published in many academic journals, written for newspapers and provided advice as a board member to several development organizations. In 2019, Puri was selected by the Global Landscape Forum as one of 16 women who have shown leadership in restoring the earth through their efforts.

She holds a PhD and MSc in Agriculture and Resource Economics and an MA in Development Economics.