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.

  • Jamie Macalister

    INNOVATION COACH

    Jamie Macalister specializes in strategic leadership, pioneering entrepreneurship, and social enterprise development, helping business leaders take informed risks that create meaningful impact. Managing Director of African Kingdom Superfoods, a UK-based social enterprise importing and distributing Africa-processed food products to create jobs and strengthen communities across the continent.

    Executive coach and strategist with Blonay Limited for over 20 years, advising senior leaders in government, corporates, and SMEs, with a focus on strategic risk-taking and innovation. Co-Founder of Kingdom Business Pioneers, connecting and coaching Christian business leaders globally.

    Former PwC consultant and Procter & Gamble marketing leader, with experience spanning strategy, commercial management, and global market development.

    Expertise: strategic leadership, social enterprise, risk and innovation, executive coaching, entrepreneurship, and capacity building.

  • 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.

  • Sibon Schouten

    BRANDING & MARKETING COACH

    Sibon Schouten specializes in purpose-driven branding and marketing strategy, helping executives and SMEs align their brand, purpose, and growth to create meaningful impact. Founder of Markd Global, she supports CEOs, founders, and leadership teams worldwide to build purpose-led brands that drive social value and commercial success.

    With over 20 years’ experience across global corporates and purpose-driven organisations, she has led major brand portfolios at Nestlé Oceania, developed eCommerce and innovation strategy, and accelerated growth through digital transformation. Her proprietary PX™ Purpose Experience framework helps companies scale through purpose, people, and profit.

    Former Head of Brand & Growth at Leafcutter, with previous marketing and strategy roles at Unilever, Nestlé, and Google Creative Academy.

    Expertise: purpose-driven branding, digital strategy, marketing leadership, SME growth, innovation, and triple-bottom-line business strategy.

  • Upengu (Uppi) Mawande

    FUNDRAISING COACH

    Uppi specializes in high-impact philanthropy and systems-change program design, with a focus on gender equality, climate justice, and economic equity across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

    Director of Programs – Africa at the Judith Neilson Foundation, leading the Foundation’s Africa portfolio and flagship strategy—building locally led, multi-sectoral partnerships in health, education, climate, and livelihoods that reach millions across nine Sub-Saharan countries.

    Former senior leader at IWDA, the Global EverGreening Alliance, World Vision Australia and World Vision New Zealand, and Global Development Group, managing large-scale portfolios, resource acquisition, and collaborative programs with NGOs, multilaterals, and community-based partners.

    Expertise: Philanthropy, international development, gender equality, climate justice, program design and management, large-scale partnerships, resource mobilisation, and impact strategy.

  • Akwese Nkemontoh

    ORGANIZATIONAL COACH

    Akwese specializes in transformative leadership development and organizational capacity building, equipping mission-driven organizations across the Global North and Global South to lead with purpose, cultural intelligence, and resilience.

    Principal Consultant and Executive Coach for over 15 years, she supports leaders and teams through program design, cross-cultural facilitation, and organizational culture transformation. Her work spans peacebuilding, spiritual formation, and leadership development initiatives in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.

    Former facilitator with the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies in Cambodia, shaping transformational peace leaders across the region; partnership coordinator with Yunus & Youth, supporting global social business entrepreneurs; and leadership facilitator within Boston’s civic and social impact ecosystem.

    Expertise: leadership development, organizational culture, cross-cultural engagement, program design, coaching and mentoring, peace leadership.

  • 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.