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Core Team behind
The Sustainable Smallholder

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Erika Balzarelli

Founder & Executive Director

Agriculture and agri-business expert with 15+ years experience across private, public sector, NGO, start-ups and consulting. Ex Olam Ventures VP, ex head of APAC rice Corteva, Nufarm marketing head, Syngenta head of sales and marketing APAC, rice solutions, Principal BMGF Ethiopia. Board member of several start ups in agtech and agriculture, Board of Directors Mangrove Consulting Education: MBA RUG Netherlands, MPA Harvard Kennedy USA Certificates: INSEAD marketing & sales, Permaculture Design, digital marketing, circular agrifood design Founder of Regenerate500 – a phygital platform to support smallholder farmers to transition to biological practices; successfully exited in 2023

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Shahira Yahia

Program Manager

Industrial designer by education, co-founder of Chitosan, Shahira is also Leading TSS’s initiatives in country, focusing on empowering smallholders to adopt sustainable agricultural practices. Building partnerships with private sector companies, donors, and government stakeholders to design programs that benefit farmers and strengthen food systems. Managing on-the-ground implementation of TSS projects, ensuring measurable economic, social, and environmental impact.

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Research Analysts

Founder & Executive Director

We work with a small group of ‘on-the-bench’ freelance analysts ready to crunch numbers, do research and support with analytical thinking The profile of our on the bench analysts is usually ex-strategy consulting and specialized in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, aquaculture and design of innovative business models

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Nick Pye and Justin Wright
Co-founders and advisors

Nick went directly into the world of strategy and marketing consultancy, after reading geography at Oxford, Nick’s initial consulting career was interrupted by a brief spell at a Virgin backed start-up. Since co-founding Mangrove, Nick has led a number of sustainability projects in a diverse range of markets, as well as co-funding several start-ups and co-authoring Stretchonomics. Justin started his career as a Forex trader before studying psychology and entering the corporate world. Prior to Mangrove, Justin held several innovation roles in specialist units at P&G and Diageo before co-founding Mangrove in 2005. As as well leading a number of sustainability projects in categories as diverse as drinks, financial services and agri-science, Justin has funded and co-founded a number of start-ups as well as is co-authoring Stretchonomics.

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Hamza Mohsen
Communication, design and Social media

With a robust background spanning over 5 years in the dynamic world of digital marketing, Hamza, a seasoned specialist dedicated to driving impactful online presence and engagement

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We’re hiring

Our team is 100% from around the world. Join us!

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THE SUSTAINABLE SMALLHOLDER LTD

Registration number: 463614

Incorporated in Cyprus

TIN: 60089614D

© Copyright 2025, THE SUSTAINABLE SMALLHOLDER. All Rights Reserved

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