Interview
2 min read

Leadership2050: Planting the seeds for a better ecosystem

'Every day I always ask myself, is this decision making me sleep peacefully at night. I hope to wake up every day with great optimism and great excitement to be alive because you’re doing something good, you’re changing lives.'

Leadership 2050: Andrew White with Cherie Atilano

In this episode Andrew talks to Cherrie Atilano, the CEO and President of the for-purpose agribusiness AGREA Agricultural Systems International. Cherrie is the 'founding farmer' of AGREA, a for-purpose agri-business that aims to eradicate poverty for farming and fishing communities, alleviate the impact of climate change and create food security in her home country of the Philippines.

Cherrie has been on a journey for the past 24 years to change the lives of small holder farmers, especially in the Philippines, where most of them are earn below a dollar a day. AGREA works with 30,000 small holder farmers with an aim to graduate them from poverty in 20 months.

One of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders of 2022, Cherrie talks to Andrew about how she founded her business on the core belief that dignifying the agricultural sector is key to its productivity, sustainability and being the point of change in the food system.

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Leadership2050 is a podcast exploring the leadership we need to successfully transition to 2050. Who are the innovators setting the agenda for a more equal and sustainable future? In each episode Andrew talks to a visionary leader from the business community who is confronting the challenges humanity faces and finding solutions. 

Andrew's research and teaching focuses on how leaders transcend 21st century challenges such as disruptive technology change and the climate crisis. Also, how they create cultures that are diverse, inclusive, resilient and high performing, alongside the ongoing challenge of delivering profitable growth. At Oxford he directs the Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Programme, and works with leaders from industry and governments across the world.   

This episode was recorded in September 2022.