Sheryl Cowan

Sheryl Cowan, Vice President of Programs at CNFA, has more than 25 years of experience in development — with a special focus on advancing food security and strengthening livelihoods — and a strong record of program design and management, training, and capacity-building.

Before joining CNFA in 2015, Cowan served in a variety of development positions, including Sustainable Food and Agriculture Systems Director for International Relief Development, Inc.; Deputy Resident Country Director in Mali for a $465 million contract for the Millennium Challenge Corporation; Peace Corps Country Director in Benin; and Country Director in Niger and Mali for Africare. Cowan began her career as an agriculture Peace Corps volunteer in Lesotho.

Cowan currently manages a $145 million portfolio of agribusiness-focused contracts and grants in eight countries. Proficient in French, Cowan holds a Master of International and Intercultural Management, with a dual concentration in Sustainable Development and Training, from the School for International Training.