In February 2025, Mashal Husain will become the President of the World Food Prize Foundation. Her experiences around the world and in Iowa drive her passion to lead the organization with a mission to elevate global food security and agricultural innovation.
Husain was born in Pakistan, but her father’s job took their family around the world, including Tanzania, Philippines, Thailand, then Texas where she attended high school and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She earned a master’s in healthcare administration from Cornell University and completed a post-graduate Fellowship in Hospital Administration at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She and her husband, Fawad, moved to Des Moines in 1999.
Since joining the Foundation in 2008 as Director of Development and Finance, Mashal has held multiple leadership positions, including Vice President, Senior Vice President and most recently, Chief Operating Officer.
1. What excites you most about the opportunities ahead for the World Food Prize Foundation?
Everything we do at the World Food Prize Foundation drives one of our three pillars: to award and recognize those who are increasing the supply and availability of food in the world; to convene conversations to address the latest issues and innovations in food and agriculture; and to inspire the next generation of students. I am excited about how we are growing each of these pillars with new programs and outreach opportunities, including:
- In 2024, we introduced the Top Agri-food Pioneers (TAP) List, featuring 38 innovators from across the world working to transform food systems. The pioneers represented 20 countries from 6 continents.
- We are following Norman Borlaug’s journey around the world by expanding the Borlaug Dialogue discussions to international locations. The DialogueNEXT series was launched in Washington DC in March and another session held in Mexico in July 2024, with plans for future events in India and Africa.
- The events around the annual World Food Prize award ceremony continue to grow. In 2024, the Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines drew a record attendance of more than 1,500 people from 70 countries to discuss the most pressing issues in food production and agriculture and network to share solutions around the world. New events such as the Innovate for Impact Challenge will continue to draw new and inspiring voices.
- This year, we expanded youth institute programs to Africa with programs in communities in Uganda and Kenya. The programs give students in 8th grade and high school the opportunity to research topics about food security and production, then attend institute events where they share their findings and ideas with peers. We bring the best and brightest to the Global Youth Institute as part of the World Food Prize events where they interact with the 1,500 attendees, all with a goal of inspiring students to choose college majors and career paths that will impact the world in a positive way.
2. The Innovate for Impact Challenge was announced at this year’s event. What are the goals for this new program?
We are excited about this new challenge which is a collaboration with America’s Cultivation Corridor. The goal is to identify and support early-stage, tech-driven startups whose solutions hold the potential to revolutionize agriculture and address the most pressing issues of global food security.
Early in 2025, we will invite innovators from around the globe to submit their ideas. From these entries, ten finalists will be announced in June 2025 and the top three will be invited to present their innovations live on the 2025 Borlaug Dialogue stage with opportunities to take questions from Dialogue attendees, with the winner receiving $50,000.
It will be an exciting and energetic addition to the Borlaug Dialogue stage and provide a platform for innovators and entrepreneurs to introduce and get valuable feedback on their startup business.
3. Why are Des Moines and Iowa uniquely positioned to host the World Food Prize?
It is the perfect setting as not only the agricultural heartland of America, but the agricultural heartland of the world.
When people come to Iowa for Borlaug Dialogue and other events, they are not only able to network with other leaders from 600 global organizations, they can tap into the Iowa’s rich agricultural network from global companies to innovative startups, world class research institutions, farmers and livestock producers. We also bring students, young entrepreneurs to the events to build relationships that could spark new ideas and lasting partnerships.
For example, when the Presidents of Tanzania and Sierra Leone attended World Food Prize events, they also wanted to go on a farm tour. In just a short 30-minute drive from the event in downtown Des Moines, they were able to tour an Iowa cornfield, talk with a farmer and see the technologies that make them more productive and sustainable.
4. What advice do you have for someone considering a move or return to Iowa?
Speaking from personal experience, do it!
Until the age of 27, I never lived in one city for more than four years. That’s when my husband and I moved to Des Moines for his job. We’ve been here 26 years, and it has been the best decision we made. I’ve always felt welcomed, and it is a wonderful place to raise a family with incredible opportunities.
5. Please share three recommendations of things to do or places to go in Iowa.
There are two places close to my heart in my role at the World Food Prize Foundation. Come visit the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates in Des Moines with beautiful artwork and exhibits recognizing Norman Borlaug, World Food Prize laureates and Iowans who have impacted our state and the world. And, take a trip to the Norman Borlaug Boyhood Farm & Birthplace in Cresco, Iowa, where his home and legacy is being preserved.
The Iowa State Capitol is one of the most beautiful capitol buildings in the country. It is a fitting place for us to host the laureate ceremony each year. Our international guests are taken by the landmark, so I encourage all Iowans to not take it for granted!
Explore small town Iowa. There is something very special about exploring and meeting people in rural communities across the state.
Published December 2024.