ILRI mourns Barbara H. Wells, leading expert in genetic innovation, agriculture, and forestry research
In a distinguished career spanning more than 30 years, Dr. Wells helped improve the health and livelihoods of millions of people around the world
Today CGIAR mourns the passing of Dr. Barbara H. Wells, Global Director of Genetic Innovation, and Director General of the International Potato Center (CIP). Dr. Wells died on February 16, 2022.
Dr. Wells’ distinguished career in the agriculture and forestry research and innovation sectors spanned more than 30 years. She joined CGIAR in 2014 as Director General of CIP. Among many achievements there, Dr. Wells presided over an expansion of the Center’s work through partnerships – including with the World Food Programme and McCain Foods – that brought CIP’s innovations to farmers all over the world, achieving scale and delivering impact.
In 2021, Dr. Wells was appointed as the inaugural Global Director for Genetic Innovation at CGIAR. In this capacity, she was building an ambitious program and leading a global cadre of scientists stewarding CGIAR’s genetic resources to deliver improved crop varieties that strengthen food and nutrition security, sustainability and resilience, and farmers’ livelihoods.
"Barbara’s sudden passing has shocked us all and filled us with grief". Dr. Jimmy Smith, Executive Director of ILRI, reflected, "We share this tremendous loss with her husband Bob and daughters Crystal and Courtney. Barbara was a calm, yet passionate, thoughtful and committed leader whose warmth and caring was endearing to all. Her family have lost their gem, CIP and the CGIAR have lost an extraordinary leader, and I have lost a friend and confidant."
Dr. Wells was an accomplished leader with extensive scientific and private sector experience in research, management, strategic planning, regulatory processes, and the technical development and commercialization of products in agricultural and forestry markets around the world.