Collectively, our team brings over a century of experience.

Transformative Agribusiness.

Envision it.

Every venture begins with a vision of what could be. At Global Sowers, we believe transformative agribusiness has the power to generate income, create dignity in work, and strengthen communities. Our role is to help leaders see not only what a business can produce, but also the positive change it can bring.

Design it.

Great ideas need thoughtful design to become lasting enterprises. We draw on decades of global agribusiness experience to shape ventures that deliver both financial returns and measurable impact. By aligning purpose with sound business practice, we create models that endure through changing markets.

Launch it.

Turning a concept into reality requires courage, clarity, and the right partners. We equip entrepreneurs with tools, networks, and frameworks to take confident first steps. Each launch is built on principles of accountability, resilience, and value creation for all stakeholders..

Scale it.

Growth is most powerful when it multiplies opportunity. We connect ventures to markets, investors, and technical expertise so they can expand sustainably. The goal is not just to grow bigger, but to grow in ways that lift households, strengthen supply chains, and transform entire communities..

Sustain it.

True success is measured over generations, not just quarterly reports. We help ventures build resilience by embedding long-term thinking into business models — balancing profit with people and the planet. This ensures that agribusiness continues to deliver value where it is most needed..

Join it.

Global Sowers is more than a platform — it is a movement of entrepreneurs, investors, and practitioners committed to transformative agribusiness. Together, we are creating enterprises that change both livelihoods and lives. By joining us, you become part of a story of lasting impact..

Why Global Sowers?

Most agribusiness ventures fail at transition points—not because the product lacks potential, but because they lack the specialist capabilities required to move from vision to research to finance to production to branding to commercialization to market access to sales.

Our team is intentionally built around these high-risk phases.

This integrated support model dramatically increases the probability that an agribusiness will reach commercial viability while delivering measurable social impact for smallholder farmers.

Our team is not advisory-only—we are all coaches who have built, scaled, and financed agribusiness ventures across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

This is why the ventures we support are better positioned to succeed, scale, and transform communities.

Meet the Team

  • Mark Ingram

    FINANCE & DESIGN COACH

    Mark Ingram specializes in blended finance, impact investment, and inclusive business models that lift smallholder farmers out of extreme poverty.

    Former Chief Impact Officer at Brightlight Group and Founder/CEO of Business for Development, where he pioneered the award-winning LINC model and advised corporates, multilaterals, and governments on high-impact agricultural value chains across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

    Earlier career includes service as New Zealand Consul General and Trade Commissioner in Melbourne, export development roles with NZ Trade & Enterprise

    Expertise: blended finance, impact investing, inclusive agribusiness, fund and facility design, capital raising, cross-sector partnerships, and gospel-aligned social entrepreneurship.

  • Bett Michels

    BUSINESS PROCESS COACH

    Dr. Bett Mickels specializes in business expansion and profitability solutions across global franchise and multi-unit retail sectors. Founder of WorldWideTeams, a consulting firm focused on franchising strategy, international and domestic business development, team performance, and operational profitability.

    Adjunct Professor at the University of Louisville, teaching Franchising Bootcamp and graduate-level franchising courses.

    Former Global Franchise Strategy Leader for Kidville, Regional Director of Operations for Starbucks and Jamba Juice, and West Division Franchise Director for Yum! Brands, overseeing more than 1,000 stores and 180 franchisees across 11 states. Early career includes HR, learning & development, and change management leadership for Ford Aerospace.

    Expertise: Franchising, multi-unit operations, international expansion, business development, leadership development, organizational change, profitability strategies.

  • Dr Ratnakar Vallabhaneni

    COMMERCIALISATION COACH

    Dr. Ratnakar Vallabhaneni specializes in agri-research innovation and university–industry collaboration, advancing sustainable agriculture, alternative plant proteins, and regenerative food systems. Founder and CSO of Glean ACRE, driving research and enterprise development with national economic impact.

    Training Fellow with the Australasian Research Management Society, developing leaders in industry engagement and project management. Former Research Scientist and Technical Project Manager across India, the USA, and Australia, including roles in seed innovation, metabolic engineering, and product development.

    Expertise: Applied plant research, university–industry partnerships, sustainable agriculture, alternative proteins, research commercialization, project management, grants and partnerships.

  • Glen Cox

    AGRIFOOD OPERATIONS COACH

    Glen Cox specializes in large-scale food processing operations and engineering solutions that improve safety, efficiency, and profitability. Principal Director of Food Processing Solutions & Pente Vuna, providing expertise to food manufacturers across Australia and emerging markets.

    Former Factory Manager with SPC Ardmona for 22 years, leading major fruit processing facilities in Australia and Spain, with specialization in high-acid food processing, plant design, and large-scale production systems.

    Global Manager with Discovery and former CEO of Two Hands International, overseeing aid and community development projects across India and Indonesia.

    Expertise: Factory operations, process engineering, high-acid food manufacturing, plant design and construction, international development, community enterprise.

  • Andrew Jones

    LEADERSHIP COACH

    Andrew Jones specializes in leadership development and cultural intelligence, helping individuals and teams thrive through effective communication, coaching, and mature, values-driven leadership. Director of Leadership Journey, delivering 360 assessments, coaching, and team culture programs for organizations across Australia and internationally.

    Acting CEO of Farm Fresh Harvest, a social enterprise empowering farmers in Zimbabwe through improved market access, technology, and logistics. Lead Consultant with Options Consulting Group and Principal Consultant with Converge International, designing and delivering tailored leadership programs for diverse client needs.

    Expertise: Leadership development, cultural intelligence, coaching, facilitation, program design, cross-cultural leadership.