Our CEO, Hannah Senior, is on the verge of completing a fulfilling four-year leadership term with the prestigious American scientific society, National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB).
NAPB is an organisation dedicated to “Improving plants to improve lives”. They support plant breeding students and professionals, coordinate development and knowledge exchange activities, and raise awareness about the critical role plant breeding plays in the world around us.
In this article, Hannah shares her reflections during the past four years, the demanding but rewarding experience of being part of the NAPB’s Executive Committee (EC) along with the contributions she made towards the advancement of plant breeding on a global scale.
NAPB Executive Committee 2023 -2024 (L-R) Vice-President – J.D. Rossouw, Bayer, Secretary – Neha Kotari, Cotton Incorporated, Past-President – Hannah Senior, PBS International, President – Thomas Lübberstedt, Iowa State University.
Back to the beginning, 4 years ago..
The organization was thriving in many ways when I joined the leadership team in 2020, however, I believe good stewardship means leaving an organisation in an even better state than when you found it. This conviction became a driving force during my tenure, particularly during my Presidency year.
I love that NAPB represents all types of plant breeders, from organic to biotech, public service to private industry, covering a huge range of crop types. So, one of my key goals was to ensure real clarity of purpose and a sense of direction for NAPB and to take a long, collaborative look at its history and successes, to then pull together a strategic plan. This required lots of consultation and discussion, not to mention a lot of work, but I knew it would lay strong foundations for the future.
Excellence that will benefit the future at NAPB
Investing in robust administrative support was also crucial. By streamlining processes and ensuring efficient communication channels, we alleviated unnecessary burdens on volunteers and maximised productivity. This emphasis on administrative excellence will benefit future NAPB leaders and volunteers.
Recognising the inherently international nature of plant breeding, I championed efforts to forge connections with similar organisations worldwide. While these initiatives are still in their infancy, they hold tremendous potential for fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange on a global scale.
NAPB Annual Meeting Field Trip 2023, Georgia
Diversity and fresh perspectives provided an enriching experience
As a non-plant breeder and a non-American, one might wonder what led me to serve on the NAPB EC. The answer lies in the organisation’s unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion. By bringing different skills and perspectives to the table, I aimed to make NAPB a more inclusive environment for individuals from non-traditional backgrounds and disciplines.
In fact, the EC and NAPB are, as a whole, a good example of how a diversity of perspectives can be so enriching. The action oriented are balanced by the cautious, the pragmatists by the idealists but all in a profoundly respectful atmosphere. Working with people I would not otherwise have gotten to know so well has been tremendously enriching. The last few years have built fond memories of fascinating field tours, gentle humour, constructive debate and even attending a State Fair with NAPB colleagues.
Shared passion and commitment to plant breeding
From PBS International’s perspective (my business which is dedicated to creating pollination control products for plant breeders) the strong relationships forged enabled us to amplify the breeders’ message to the world. I had the pleasure of exploring my NAPB colleagues’ fascinating experiences, shared passion, and commitment to plant breeding on the PBS podcast series. In this series, you can listen to a diverse range of topics and themes with highlights including Dr. Dave Bubeck, Research Director for Corteva Agriscience, Dr. Ksenija Gasic, Professor of Horticulture at Clemson University and Lane Selman, founder of the Culinary Breeding Network.
As I near the end of four years on the NAPB’s EC, I look back over a journey of giving a lot and gaining even more. I am grateful for the experiences, friendships, and the chance to contribute to the advancement of plant breeding on a global scale. I am confident the National Association of Plant Breeders will continue to thrive, building on the foundations laid by successive committed EC members during this transformative period.
For more information on the NAPB please visit their website: https://www.plantbreeding.org/