Celebrating impact and change across the food and agriculture industry
Welcome to the WFA: Awards 2026
The WFA Awards recognize outstanding individuals and initiatives that are making a difference in food and agriculture. These awards will celebrate the accomplishments of mentors, mentees, leaders, and impactful initiatives in the industry.
Judged by our esteemed WFA Advisory Board, the winners were announced in Amsterdam at the WFA: Summit 2026.
Meet our 2026 winners!
The Women in Food and Agriculture (WFA) Awards celebrated outstanding individuals and initiatives that are driving innovation, inclusion, and progress within the food and agriculture sector. With five awards (Mentee of the Year, Mentor of the Year, Leader of the Year, Initiative of the Year and Male Ally of the Year) the ceremony spotlighted those who are making a lasting impact on the industry and pushing the boundaries of gender equality and diversity.
Here’s a closer look at the deserving winners who were recognized for their exceptional contributions:
WFA Mentorship Award categories
Ebba Eriksson
Mentee of the year
We’re delighted to announce Ebba Eriksson as the WFA Mentee of the Year
Ebba embraced the WFA mentorship programme with exceptional commitment, turning insight into action. Through her engagement, confidence, and dedication to personal growth, she has not only accelerated her own development but actively championed women in agriculture along the way.
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
Manoella Alves
Mentor of the year
We’re proud to celebrate Manoella Alves as the WFA Mentor of the Year
Manoella’s empathetic and empowering mentoring style has made a lasting impact. By guiding, listening, and encouraging rather than solving, she has helped others build confidence, grow professionally, and thrive.
Her approach beautifully demonstrates the difference between managing and truly mentoring and the ripple effect it can have on careers and lives.
Congratulations, Manoella, and thank you for inspiring the next generation.
Applications for the WFA Mentorship Program are now open!
Over 400 people from across the globe joined us in 2026 to support women wanting to grow their careers further within the food and agriculture sector. This year, we are opening our program to even more! From farmers to CEOs, Scientists to AgTech, everyone is welcome to help us shape the future for women.
You can join us by either:
or
Becoming a mentor to support the next generation of female leaders in our industry
By joining us for only one hour a month, you could help grow gender diversity across the food and agriculture industry!
WFA Award categories
Oluwaseyi Kehinde-Peters
Leader of the year
We are thrilled to announce Oluwaseyi Kehinde-Peters as WFA Leader of the Year.
Oluwaseyi has shown powerful, purpose-driven leadership, founding initiatives that equip women in agriculture with vital skills and building digital platforms that strengthen rural communities. Her work consistently puts women first and delivers lasting, systemic change.
She leads with vision, compassion, and unwavering commitment to equity. A truly inspiring leader.
Huge congratulations on this outstanding achievement
Farmstrong Scotland – Let's talk about menopause in Scottish Agriculture
Initiative of the year
We’re delighted to announce Farmstrong Scotland as the WFA Initiative of the Year
Their Let’s Talk About Menopause in Scottish Agriculture initiative has courageously opened up conversations around wellbeing, delivering clear, accessible communication and growing engagement across the country.
With an inclusive and scalable approach, Farmstrong Scotland is driving meaningful change in agriculture and setting an inspiring example for the sector.
Congratulations to the entire team on this powerful achievement.
Gérald Huart
Male Ally of the Year
We’re proud to recognise Gérald Huart as WFA Male Ally of the Year 👏
Gérald has consistently championed fairness, meritocracy, and inclusion, leading with the One Team principle and advocating for underrepresented groups across the industry. While he couldn’t attend in person, his impact speaks volumes.
This recognition is richly deserved and highlights the vital role of male allies in driving meaningful change.
2026 Award Categories
Recognizing an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and impact in mentoring others within the food and agriculture sector.
Criteria for Nomination:
- Commitment: Demonstrates consistent and meaningful engagement with mentees.
- Impact: Clear evidence of positive influence on the mentee’s career growth and personal development.
- Advocacy: Actively promotes diversity, inclusion, and innovation in the sector.
Celebrating a mentee who has exemplified a commitment to learning, professional growth, and fostering diversity in food and agriculture.
Criteria for Nomination:
- Engagement: Actively seeks guidance and applies learnings from the mentorship program.
- Growth: Demonstrates significant personal or professional development during the mentorship period.
- Contribution: Actively contributes to the WFA community and the wider industry.
- Initiative: Demonstrates leadership or proactive efforts inspired by their mentorship.
Recognizing an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and impact in mentoring others within the food and agriculture sector. This award will honor a leader who has championed diversity, inclusion, and innovation within their organization or the broader food and agriculture sector.
Criteria for Nomination:
- Leadership Impact: Demonstrates outstanding leadership and measurable results in fostering an inclusive culture.
- Advocacy: Actively supports women and underrepresented groups in food and agriculture.
- Innovation: Implements creative strategies to solve industry challenges.
- Community Contribution: Engages in initiatives or programs that benefit the broader industry.
Recognizing an initiative that has made a significant contribution to advancing diversity, inclusion, and sustainability in the food and agriculture sector.
Criteria for Nomination:
- Purpose and Impact: Clearly defined objectives and demonstrable outcomes.
- Innovation: Incorporates unique approaches or strategies that address key challenges.
- Scalability: Potential to be replicated or scaled in other regions or organizations.
Celebrating a male ally who has championed diversity, inclusion, and innovation within his organization and across the broader food and agriculture sector.
Criteria for Nomination:
- Commitment: Demonstrates outstanding leadership and measurable results in fostering an inclusive culture.
- Advocacy: Actively supports women and underrepresented groups in food and agriculture.
- Community Contribution: Engages in initiatives or programs that benefit the broader industry.