Shanti Kumar joined Trickle Up as a Business Development Associate in 2018. She develops grant proposals and partnerships with governments, INGOs, and the private sector to scale Graduation programming. She previously consulted on Trickle Up's regional strategic planning processes and interned with the Monitoring and Evaluation team in 2017. Prior to joining Trickle Up, Shanti supported Business Development at One Acre Fund, Communications at PCI Media Impact, and interned at the sub-regional office for Central Africa of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. Shanti has led agricultural research projects in Colombia, Gabon, Madagascar, and Trinidad and Tobago. For her research she surveyed farmers, interviewed field extension agents, and analyzed soils in both farm and forest contexts. She also facilitated trainings on enhancing the role of ICTs in agriculture at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. Her research has focused on the practical, socio-cultural, and economic obstacles farmers face in adopting what are considered to be sustainable methods, such as organic or conservation agriculture. Her fascination with agriculture and her drive to elevate global food security drew Shanti to international development. Working at Trickle Up has instilled in her a deep commitment to improving inclusion and program adaptations for ultra-poor and vulnerable populations. Shanti is from the Bronx, NY. She loves theatre, journalism, and any opportunity to share facts about crops. She holds a Bachelor of Science in International Agriculture and Rural Development from Cornell University.