Lorena Basso, a prominent figure in the Argentine seed industry, has been elected as the second vice president of the International Seed Federation (ISF), setting the stage for a groundbreaking milestone. The announcement came during the ISF General Assembly held at the World Seed Congress in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 7, 2023.
Basso's election as the second vice president positions her as the successor to the ISF presidency in 2026, following the tenure of the current first vice president, Arthur Santosh, who will assume office in 2024, succeeding the current ISF President, Marco van Leeuwen.
Currently serving as the CEO of Basso Semillas, a family-owned seed business based in Buenos Aires, Basso brings a wealth of experience to her leadership role. Having joined the family company as the commercial director in 2000, she took on the role of CEO in 2011. Basso has previously held significant positions in the Argentinian Seed Association (ASA) and the regional Seed Association of the Americas (SAA), where she made history as the first female president.
In an interview with Seed World, Basso reflected on her journey and emphasized the importance of representation and solidarity among women in traditionally male-dominated environments. While acknowledging that her family name may have provided some opportunities, she stressed the significance of experience, talent, and individual authenticity in achieving success.
She says, “When I was the only woman in the room, particularly as a young woman, sometimes you can say something and no one hears you,” she continued. “That happened more many years ago, but now when we have more women in the room, we can help each other. It’s good to not be the only one.”
The election of Lorena Basso to a leadership position within ISF not only highlights her personal achievements but also serves as an inspiration and a step forward in promoting diversity and inclusion within the international seed industry.
Source : wisconsinagconnection