Who we are

Part of the SDC Health and Food section, working out of Dakar since Summer 2025, Stephanie is the focal point for the A&FS Network, the focal point for Switzerland to the UNCCD, and manages a portfolio of projects related to agroecology, natural resources management and agricultural research. Environmental engineer by training, specialised in water and natural resources management, Stephanie multiplied experiences between environmental & civil engineering work in Switzerland, hydraulics development consultancy in Southern Africa, and a WASH humanitarian stint in Haiti before joining SDC in 2015.

Gemma joined the SDC Health and Food Section in May 2026 as an academic trainee, supporting the A&FS Network in its management and events. Passionate about international cooperation and development work, her background in Hospitality and Sustainability, combined with her experience in events management and food services, enables her to approach complex challenges with a practical, solution-oriented mindset and a strong focus on stakeholder engagement, knowledge sharing and sustainable impact.
Having completed an exchange semester at the University of Geneva, where she was enrolled in the Sustainable Societies programme, Gemma has gained valuable insights into approaches to addressing social and environmental dilemmas in today’s world. She has developed a particular interest in the challenges related to the standardisation of sustainable practices, as well as in the protection of natural resources, land rights, biodiversity and local communities.