BOARD
Klaus Akerstaff,
Chairman
Klaus established the Foundation and serves as its Executive Chairman, leading the strategy and vision of the Foundation to date. In addition, Klaus serves as Executive Chairman of the Datamars company, where he previously served as CEO for over fifteen years, leading the business as it expanded into a global leader in precision farming and agri-tech as well as championing the company’s sustainability journey.
A physicist himself, Klaus has the unique perspective of having deep engagement with the scientific & technology community as well as key insight and respect for the wealth of knowledge and challenges of farming communities. His passion for regenerative farming and taking a practical, collaborative approach to sustainable agriculture has culminated in this independent, not-for-profit organization focusing on how to accelerate the transition to a sustainable agriculture future in the coming decades.
He personally engages with regenerative farming and is Chairman of the Board of Kersia, a global leader in biosecurity and food safety.
Rory Devlin,
Board Director
Rory is a founding board member of the Foundation. In addition, Rory is a co-founder and Managing Partner at Columna Capital, an entrepreneurial lower mid-market private equity firm. He has more than 25 years’ experience in private equity, banking and operational management. Rory has a long track record and passion for building sustainable organizations with positive impact at their core.
As a Director of Datamars for more than a decade and active investor in the agri-food sector, he has developed a deep interest in sustainable agriculture, and supporting a greener global food supply for future generations.
Bertrand Millot,
Board Director
At CDPQ since 2015, he has held various positions in risk management and sustainability. Prior to CDPQ, he was CEO and CIO of Cordiant Capital an emerging market fund manager and held senior positions at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Mr. Millot is also a member of the Council (Board) of the Sustainable Infrastructure Foundation (www.sif-source.org), a member of the Board of Ceres (www.ceres.org), a leading NGO in the field of sustainability, that is among other things behind Climate Action 100+, and on the Representative Group (shadow board) of the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance.
Christian Wille,
Board Member
Christian provides legal, compliance and administrative insights for the Foundation. He is a member of the board of trustees for various charitable foundations in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. He works full-time as a fiduciary and business consultant at Ganten Group.
TEAM
Jessica Villat,
Chief Executive Officer
Jessica is a seasoned sustainability leader with a deep passion for regenerative agriculture, with particular expertise in regenerative viticulture and agroecology. Her approach is deeply farmer-centric, shaped by extensive time spent on the ground understanding what truly drives lasting change in agricultural communities.
With a background spanning environmental conservation, agriculture, finance, education, and media, she brings a cross-sector perspective to advancing sustainability. Before stepping into her current role, she led innovation in biodiversity conservation at the Luc Hoffmann Institute, an independent initiative of WWF International focused on transformative change.
Jessica has lived and worked across Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, and speaks six languages. She is known for turning purpose into action—mobilizing diverse stakeholders around collaborative, practical solutions. She holds degrees in History and English, and a Master’s in Sustainability from Harvard Extension School.
Her leadership is rooted in both global perspective and local insight, with a strong commitment to building resilient systems that serve people, landscapes, and future generations.
Lucía López Marco,
Chief Operating Officer
Lucía is a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture and rural resilience, with over a decade of experience leading initiatives at the intersection of food systems, sustainable livestock, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment.
A trained veterinarian from the University of Zaragoza, she also holds Master’s degrees in Agroecology, Rural Development & Agritourism, and in Scientific Communication & Journalism. Lucía brings strong operational expertise and a systems-thinking approach to her work. She is the founder of Mallata.com, an award-winning digital platform for rural sustainability, and has held key roles such as Regional Coordinator at Justicia Alimentaria in Aragón and European Projects Technician at CIHEAM Zaragoza.
Based in a remote Pyrenean village, Lucía’s leadership is rooted in lived experience—ensuring that programs reflect the realities and opportunities of farming communities. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to social equity, farmer-led innovation, and ecological regeneration, helping bridge science, technology, and grassroots knowledge to create lasting impact for people, animals, and the planet.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
José Jáuregui,
Senior Animal Agriculture Advisor
José is an expert in the eco-physiology of pastures and the development of sustainable livestock systems. Mr. Jáuregui is an accomplished leader in sustainable agriculture, holding a degree in Agricultural Engineering from the National University of La Plata (UNLP), a doctorate in Agricultural Sciences from the National University of Mar del Plata (UNMDP), and a specialization in Applied Science from Lincoln University, New Zealand.
Currently, Mr. Jáuregui serves as the Smart Farming Latam Manager at Datamars, is a representative for the Argentinian Roundtable on Sustainable Beef, and is a professor at the National University of Litoral (UNL).
Mea Lewis,
Senior Strategic Development Advisor
Mea is an expert in fundraising and development, and currently serves as Head of Strategy & Investor Relations at Columna Capital in the UK. Ms. Lewis has extensive experience in global asset management and growth technology investment. She started her career as an attorney at Kirkland & Ellis and Davis Polk & Wardwell, providing global fund formation and regulatory advice, and was Director of Global Investor Relations at SoftBank Vision Fund. Mea has a personal passion for supporting future generations of agricultural communities and the connection to how and who produces our food, as she grew up working on her family’s mixed farm in Kentucky raising dairy & beef cattle, sheep, horses and a variety of crops.
A strong advocate for community engagement and the intersection of business success and social impact, Ms. Lewis is also a member of a number of London angel-investing syndicates, supporting female entrepreneurship, particularly in the textile and food and agri systems. She brings a strong connection to agriculture and a passion for regenerative and sustainable food systems.
VOLUNTEERS
Teresa Steele-Rika,
Strategic Communications and Engagement Advisor
