CHERRIE D. ATILANO is an agricultural scientist, agri-economist and environmental advocate. Cherrie is a radical optimist and a dreamer who believes that Filipino farmers are world class.

She is the Founder and CEO of AGREA Agricultural Systems International, Inc., a for-purpose and inclusive business, that is creating the first replicable one-island economy that is zero hunger, zero waste, and zero insufficiency. AGREA works with 30,000 smallholder farmers in the Philippines.

She is a partner of a Singapore-based impact investment company TAEL Impact Fund that invests in impactful agribusinesses in Southeast Asia.

Cherrie started teaching farmers at the age of 12, has 23 years of vast experience in Sustainable Food Systems. At 20 years old, she was able to internationally publish her scientific work in Microtuber Production in Dioscorea alata L. Variety “VU-2” as affected by Growth Regulator, International Journal on Root Crops. Since then, she was recognized as a young scientist and keeps developing climate resilient agricultural technologies for smallholder farmers.

She is a thought leader and highly invited International speaker who champions the farmers and gender-equality in a male dominated industry. Globally multi-awarded like the Global Young Laureate Award in Peru in 2014, The Outstanding Students of the Philippines in 2007, The Outstanding Young Women in Nations Service (TOWNS) in 2018, The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) in 2018 and an Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneur. She received the first Women of the Future Social Entrepreneur Award in Southeast Asia, Most Influential Sustainability and Impact Leader in Asia List of Tatler Magazine, The Outstanding Farmer Entrepreneur in the Philippines; among others.

Cherrie is also one of the inaugural honorees of the 50 Next leaders by 50 Best and Basque Culinary Center – a list of exceptional young people from all over the world who are shaping the future of gastronomy. A recipient of the first Eco-Age The Renaissance Award on Environmental Sustainability in 2021.

She is a High-Level Ambassador of UN Scaling Up Nutrition, Food Systems Champion of the United Nations, Global Shapers and currently a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum and Asia Society Young Leader.

She also serves on the board of several commercial and nonprofit organizations locally and globally such as Board Member of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Advisory Board Member of the World Bank Solutions for Youth Network, United People Global (UPG) with Graća Machel, wife of the late President Nelson Mandela, East – West Seed Company, several prestigious Universities in the Philippines, among others; and the Philippine Ambassador of Food Security.

In 2020, with her leadership in COVID-19 response for connecting farmers to consumers – she is named the Best Top Manager in post-pandemic economy of the APEC Best Award, and UN Women WEPs Award for COVID19 response.

She completed a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Magna Cum Laude, in Visayas State University, her Executive Education in Sustainable Food Systems and Systems Thinking in Wageningen University, Netherlands, and Stanford University’s Change Leadership for Sustainability Young Global Leaders Program in 2021. She finished her Executive Education Program on Global leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century in Harvard Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachussets.