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International Thematic Working Groups

As part of its strategic initiatives, and acting upon recommendations from delegates of prior Congresses, the World Potato Congress has established a structured platform for ongoing collaboration on key topics during and between Congresses. This platform is designed to deepen WPC’s impact in mission-aligned areas and to connect stakeholders around shared priorities. Building on these discussions, beginning with the Kenya Congress, the day prior to each Congress will be dedicated to focused dialogue through International Potato Thematic Working Groups.  Beginning at the Congress in October, these groups will be formalized with opportunities for membership and participation via a SharePoint platform, enabling global collaboration on education, information sharing and project work.

These groups include Global Potato Sustainability, International Marketing, International Research, Aeroponics and Apical Root Cuttings.

Find out more:

    International Potato Marketing Group

    Connecting Ideas. Inspiring Growth. Elevating Potatoes Worldwide

    Georgia Thomas
    Senior Project Manager
    Western Australia Potatoes

    Georgia Thomas is a management, communications and marketing professional with nearly 25 years of experience across the agriculture industry and government organisations, specialising in marketing and communications, strategic planning, and project management. She has worked with the Western Australian potato industry for over 15 years, delivering the consumer marketing program. Georgia is passionate about the potato industry and has been developing global connections through the World Potato Congress for several years.

    Georgia Thomas
    Senior Project Manager
    Western Australia Potatoes

    Greg Donald
    General Manager
    PEI Potato Board

    Greg Donald has been the General Manager of the Prince Edward Island (PEI), Potato Board since 2009.

    Based in the province of PEI, Canada, the PEI Potato Board represents PEI potato producers working together to ensure long term profitability and sustainability through marketing, advocating, negotiation and activities that support quality potato production.

    Greg has a BSc. Degree in Agriculture with a major in plant protection from Dalhousie University. He also earned his Master’s in Business Administration at UNB.

    Greg has over 30 years of experience in the potato industry, including five years with McCain Foods in New Brunswick in the area of agronomy, potato production, potato procurement and green crop field management. He then spent 14+ years in progressively responsible management positions in the agricultural crop input business in Atlantic Canada and Maine with the Cavendish Group.

    Greg also participates in a number of local and industry organizations including a director with the Kensington North Watershed Association, a member of the Prince Edward Island Institute of Agrologists PEI, a director with the PEI Farming 4R Island, a director of the Canadian Potato Council, a director of the United Potato Growers of Canada and Vice President of the World Potato Congress. Greg completed the Nuffield Scholar Program (an international agricultural adult education program) that included a study of the Potato industry in Belgium (processing focus), Holland (seed focus) and the UK (fresh focus).

    Greg Donald
    General Manager
    PEI Potato Board

    Blair Richardson
    CEO
    Potatoes USA

    Following graduation from Texas A&M University, Blair moved to California to begin his agricultural career in the cotton industry. Since then, Blair has worked in various agricultural sectors over the past 30 years. Blair started his journey within the potato industry in 2013 and decided it was where he wanted to stay.

    Early in his tenure as CEO of Potatoes USA, Blair and his team decided to tackle the challenge of changing consumers’ perceptions of and conversations about potatoes, thereby drawing more attention to their nutritional benefits. While there’s always work to be done, the team has made a substantial shift in the conversation around the nutrients in potatoes and the benefits of using the popular vegetable as fuel for an active lifestyle.

    Blair’s favorite potato dishes are roasted hash potatoes with protein for breakfast; potato chips with lunch; and for dinner, he says it’s hard to beat a classic burger and fries.

    Blair Richardson
    CEO
    Potatoes USA

    The International Potato Marketing Group , hosted by the World Potato Congress, invites you to join fellow marketing professionals, researchers, and industry leaders from across the globe to share ideas and strategies to grow the consumption of potatoes worldwide at this interactive workshop.

    Participation is open to all with a shared passion for the potato industry. Together, we’ll explore opportunities to elevate the position of potatoes for the future through knowledge exchange, research insights, and collaboration.
    Knowledge Sharing: Discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping global potato demand and proven strategies that inspire growth.

    Research Insights: Learn about the latest potato nutrition studies and global trends .
    Global Campaign Collaboration: Partner on international efforts – such as the International Day of Potato – to amplify visibility and impact.

    Resource Exchange: Find out about plans to access and contribute to shared marketing tools, creative assets, and educational resources.

    Sustainability Leadership: Promote responsible practices and communicate potatoes’ role in a resilient food system.
    The conversation will continue well beyond the World Potato Congress in Kenya, with plans underway for virtual meetings and ongoing collaboration.

    Whether you represent an established market or an emerging one, the International Potato Marketing Group offers a global platform to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and champion potatoes as a universally loved and nutritious food.

    Join us in shaping the future of potato marketing—together, we can grow the world’s appetite for potatoes.

    Rooted Apical Cuttings (RAC)

    Monica Parker
    Former Senior Scientist
    CIP

    Dr. Monica Parker has a career spanning 20 years in agriculture and food systems development, with 13 years in the potato sector as a Senior Scientist with the International Potato Center (CIP) and as a consultant for various potato initiatives. She has led interventions and collaborated with diverse profiles of public and private partners at a global scale to support potato sector development throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, Northern Africa, Middle East and Asia.

    With CIP, she led the Potato Program for Africa, driving technology adoption and sector coordination through supporting official documentation, such as strategic planning and seed regulations. Recently, she served as Global Lead, Seed and Stewardship for USAID Global Biotech Potato Partnership led by Michigan State University and CIP, along with supporting the Government of Eritrea to develop a Roadmap for Potato Value Chain Development.

    Seed system development being one of her focus areas, Monica has played a key role in supporting potato seed system development across tropical and sub-tropical environments. As a driver of the technology, Monica leads the WPC Thematic Group on Potato Rooted Apical Cuttings. The partnerships she developed over the years resulted in drawing 50+ members from 22 countries to the thematic group and growing, testament to the demand for RAC. Monica is excited to be a part of her 3rd World Potato Congress, after Dublin and Adelaide.

    Monica Parker
    Former Senior Scientist
    CIP

    Dinah J. Borus
    National Potato Council of Kenya

    Dr Dinah J. Borus is a Senior Agricultural Scientist based in Nairobi, Kenya. Currently, she works as a Scientist Consultant at National Potato Council of Kenya. Dinah serves as World Potato Congress International Advisor – Africa and was the Program Chair for the 13th WPC2026 Kenya. She served as the interim County Manager for CIP Rwanda in 2024, collaborating with both public and private sector to implement eight potato and sweetpotato projects in the country.

    Her work spans over two decades promoting food production system, climate smart agriculture and agrinutrition activities with a bias on potato agri-food systems. Dinah worked at the International Potato Center (CIP, 2008-2012, 2016-2025) where she successfully led and implemented several potatoes and sweetpotato based projects in Kenya, Rwanda and other East and Central African countries. Dinah played a key role in the introduction of rooted apical cuttings (RACs) in Kenya way back in 2016/17, when the first field trials were established in North Rift Kenya. She participated in numerous RAC-related activities including training, establishment of trials, and exhibitions at various knowledge-sharing forums.

    Dinah J. Borus
    National Potato Council of Kenya

    Derek Roulston
    Director
    Africa Potato Initiative (API)

    Derek Roulston is a third generation seed potato growers from the north western part of Ireland. Derek with his family moved to Kenya in 1998 to serve as missionaries with the Presbyterian Church of East Africa. In 2009 he partnered with Kisima Farm in the role as technical advisor to their new seed potato production unit. Kisima Farm was one of the first private commercial seed producers in Kenya. Derek worked closely with CIP and managed trials on new varieties being presented for the national trials. He also established a demonstration farm in central Kenya highlighting best Farm practices for seed potato production and rotational crops.

    In 2014 Derek studied with the Agri Food & Bio Science Institute in Northern Ireland focusing on the methodology used for trialing new potato varieties for their commercial usefulness. From 2016 to 2020 he assisted a number of potato projects with IFDC and IPM Potato Group in trialing new varieties in Kenya. Derek was involved in the formulation of the Dublin Declaration which was adopted by the World Potato Congres in 2022 and has been involved with the WPC as an international advisor since 2013.

    Derek Roulston
    Director
    Africa Potato Initiative (API)

    Julio Kalazich
    Vice President
    Latin American Potato Association (ALAP)

    Julio Kalazich is a professor at the Agronomy School of Universidad de Los Lagos in Osorno, southern Chile, with teaching, research, and extension responsibilities. Julio was born and raised in Porvenir, a small town on Tierra del Fuego Island in Chile’s extreme south, where his father—a son of Croatian immigrants—raised sheep on a small farm, and his mother was a teacher at the local school.

    He attended high school in Punta Arenas, the region’s capital, and later entered Universidad Austral in Valdivia, southern Chile, where he obtained a degree in agricultural engineering in 1977 and developed an interest in agricultural research. That same year, he joined the Remehue Regional Center of the Agricultural Research Institute (INIA), part of the Ministry of Agriculture in Osorno, South Chile, to work as a potato breeder—a program he led for 40 years.

    In 1985, he went to Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, where he obtained a PhD in plant breeding, working under Dr. Bob Plaisted, a renowned potato breeder. In 2002, Julio was appointed Regional Director of INIA Remehue, serving until 2010, and in 2014 became the National Director of INIA until 2018.

    During his extensive career, he led the development and release of 13 potato varieties, one of which is currently the second most important in the country, and three others are among the 10 best-selling varieties. Julio has extensive national and international experience in the field of potatoes as well as in agricultural research more broadly, collaborating with institutions in several countries.

    Between 2004 and 2016, he was a member of the Advisory Board of the McKnight Foundation’s Collaborative Crop Research Program, serving as its Chairman for the last two years. He was also a member of the Advisory Board of the Potato Genetic Improvement Program of the Italian Ministry of Agriculture for six years. Between 2014 and 2018, he was a member, Chairman, and Vice-Chairman of the Boards of PROCISUR and FONTAGRO—two organizations formed by South American and Latin American National Agricultural Research Institutes, respectively.

    In 2022, Julio joined the World Potato Congress as an International Advisor, becoming a Director of the WPC Board in July 2025. He is currently Vice President of the Latin American Potato Association (ALAP), a member of the Board of the Chilean Potato Association, and also a member of the Board of the Chilean Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

    Julio Kalazich
    Vice President
    Latin American Potato Association (ALAP)

    Rooted Apical Cuttings (RAC) represent an efficient and significant method for producing early-generation seed potatoes in many countries across Africa and Asia. In some cases, this technique is even used directly for market production, combined with on-farm seed saving.

    RAC has been featured in numerous presentations—both verbal and poster—at recent World Potato Congress events. However, there are still many questions surrounding RAC: its mechanisms, how the technology can be improved, and the influences of genetics, daylength, temperature, and source of planting material, among others.

    Monday, October 25, 2026, will bring the key global players on this topic together to discuss the issues that are of common interest and concern in apical cuttings systems. The planning for this workshop is in its early stages but is expected to include Keynote speakers of differing profiles who will present their successes, interactive sessions with the participants and a local tour to a large-scale producer of apical cuttings in Kenya.

    International Potato Research Collaborative Framework (IPRCF)

    Dr. Nigel Crump
    General Manager and Principal Plant Pathologist
    Australian Seed Potato Industry
    Certification Authority (AuSPICA)

    Dr. Nigel Crump is the General Manager and Principal Plant Pathologist of the Australian Seed Potato Industry Certification Authority (AuSPICA), where he leads Australia’s largest seed potato certification system, encompassing production in South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. With experience in plant biosecurity, seed certification, and potato pathology, Nigel is responsible for programs that safeguard the integrity, productivity, and international competitiveness of Australia’s potato industry.

    In his role, Nigel oversees certification frameworks and plant-health assurance programs that underpin the performance and reliability of Australia’s seed potato supply. His work has focused on strengthening diagnostic capability, improving standards alignment, and ensuring certification systems remain robust, science-based, and fit for purpose in both domestic and export contexts. These efforts have supported the expansion of export markets and enhanced confidence in Australian seed potatoes across the Asia–Pacific region.

    Internationally, Nigel serves as a Director of the World Potato Congress and as Co-Deputy Chair of the UNECE Specialized Section on Seed Potatoes. He is also a Director of Potatoes Australia Limited. In addition, he is actively engaged in global research and development and policy networks where he works to promote potato seed systems, sustainable production, and international collaboration.

    Nigel is widely recognised as a technical authority on seed potato certification systems and biosecurity risk management. He continues to advocate for science-based policy, strong regulatory frameworks, and sector-wide collaboration to support the long-term growth, resilience, and international credibility of the Australian potato industry.

    Dr. Nigel Crump
    General Manager and Principal Plant Pathologist
    Australian Seed Potato Industry
    Certification Authority (AuSPICA)

    Silke Steinmöller
    Senior Scientist
    Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
    Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Germany

    Silke Steinmöller (PhD) is a senior scientist with the Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants in Germany, working in this role since 2003. She studied horticulture, specialising on plant pathology early in her studies. Her professional career started with research on quarantine pests on potato, with a primary focus on potato wart disease.

    At the Institute of National and International Plant Health, her work focused on pest risk analysis, export dossiers and, for six years, planning and analysis of surveillance activities on EU quarantine pests in Germany. No longer in the laboratory, her work continues to be focused on management inquiries. In 2022, she was part of the International Advisory team on Prince Edward Island for the management of potato wart disease.

    Silke Steinmöller
    Senior Scientist
    Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
    Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Germany

    Alison Lees
    Senior Potato Pathologist
    Head of the Dept of Cell & Molecular Sciences
    The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, Scotland, UK

    Alison Lees is a senior potato pathologist and head of The Department of Cell & Molecular Sciences at The James Hutton Institute in Dundee, Scotland. She has a Ph.D in wheat stem base diseases obtained from Harper Adams University College & The John Innes Centre and 30 years of research experience focusing primarily on the epidemiology, detection and integrated management of potato late blight and various soil-borne diseases.

    Alison has a particular interest in Integrated Pest Management, is a coordinator of Euroblight ‘A Late-Blight Network for Europe,’ and is the secretary of the European Association for Potato Research. Her research aims to develop strategies for the sustainable control of damaging pests and diseases of major Scottish crops.

    Dr. Alison Lees

    Alison Lees
    Senior Potato Pathologist
    Head of the Dept of Cell & Molecular Sciences
    The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, Scotland, UK

    The International Potato Research Collaborative Framework (IPRCF) is a partnership initiated by leading potato research countries in response to evolving global challenges—especially those related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change. The framework provides a formal structure for international collaboration, aiming to increase research productivity, address production constraints, and promote sustainable practices. The partnership recognizes the urgent need for joint action to improve food security, environmental sustainability, and resilience in the face of climate variability, resource constraints, and biosecurity threats.
    • Each institution or individual retains full independence in their research agenda but is encouraged to freely share insights, data, and experiences.
    • Partners are committed to aligning research priorities, co-developing solutions, and fostering scientific exchange.

    To convene together dedicated research events both on-line and in person at every WPC Congress (next in Kenya, 2026), bringing together key researchers and stakeholders to discuss collaborative opportunities, challenges, and successes. To address the following key issues but not limited to:
    • Collation and Alignment of National Research Priorities: Share and compare research goals to identify common challenges and opportunities for joint action.
    • Collaborative Research Programs: Develop and implement transnational research projects, including student and postdoctoral exchanges, to accelerate innovation and avoid duplication.
    • Sustainability and Biosecurity: Establish a global network for sharing biosecurity information (e.g., on emerging pests/diseases), and align on best practices for soil health, crop protection, and sustainable production.
    • Scientific Exchange and Capacity Building: Foster scientific exchange, knowledge transfer, and capacity building through joint workshops, webinars, and digital platforms.

    Monday, October 25, 2026, will bring the key global players on this topic together to discuss the issues that are of common interest in potato research. The planning for this workshop is in its early stages but is expected to include opportunities for collaboration on research during and between Congresses.

    Aeroponics

    Andre La Chance
    Maxi-Plant Inc.

    Andre La Chance has been actively involved for many years with Maxi-Plant Inc., a family-owned enterprise specializing in potato production (chips, French fries and seed ) in Quebec, Canada. He holds a degree in Bio-Agronomy from Laval University.

    In 2008, his participation in a project in China provided him with the opportunity to exchange expertise and visit a variety of potato seed production systems. During this period, he discovered the strong potential of aeroponic technology for the intensive production of large numbers of minitubers within a short timeframe.

    From 2010 to 2013, the company conducted a major research program at Laval University aimed at optimizing management practices across all stages of production. This work included a significant and fruitful collaboration with the research team at the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Science in China.

    In 2013, the company built a greenhouse dedicated specifically to aeroponic seed potato production. Andre continues doing applied research in his business understanding to further improve efficiencies increasing production of tubers/ unit area. Andre readily shares his expertise with aeroponics businesses around the globe by speaking engagements and by allowing visits to his farm to see his operation in detail.

    Andre La Chance
    Maxi-Plant Inc

    Santosh Tiwari
    Senior Principal Scientist
    PepsiCo Inc.

    Dr. Santosh Tiwari is the Senior Principal Scientist with PepsiCo Inc., Global R&D. He holds a PhD in Plant Breeding & Genetics. Santosh has served as PepsiCo’s Senior Manager for Asia, the Middle East & Africa (AMESA) Variety & Seed Strategy. His career has spanned many years with PepsiCo and as International Research Scientist with CIP and has included facility management, potato variety development and allocation and work in the introduction, registration and protection of proprietary varieties. His work has also extended into cereals, oil seeds and cotton.

    Santosh Tiwari
    Senior Principal Scientist
    PepsiCo Inc.

    Dr. Peter VanderZaag
    President
    World Potato Inc.

    Peter VanderZaag (PhD) is President of the World Potato Congress Inc. He first served the WPC in various capacities since 2014 and as President since January 2023.

    Peter was an integral part of developing the programs for the last 4 WPCongresses held in China, Peru, Ireland and Australia.

    Peter is a potato scientist who has worked for the International Potato Centre(CIP) in several African countries and in later years, in SE Asia and China. Later, he served on the Board of Trustees of CIP from 2007-2014 including 4 years as chair.

    He also served as adjunct professor at several universities in Asia and has guided over 30 graduate students towards their advance degrees.

    Peter and his family established Sunrise Potato, a large potato farm which focuses on sustainable farming practices.

    In 2014 he initiated the Sunrise Potato Systems Institute to assist remote mountain potato farmers in Asia.

    Peter is passionate about addressing global food security through potato production and research.

    Dr. Peter VanderZaag
    President
    World Potato Inc.

    Aeroponics represent an efficient and significant method for producing early-generation seed potatoes. Aeroponics has been featured in numerous presentations—both verbal and poster—at recent World Potato Congress events. A successful workshop was held in Chengdu in 2015 and a webinar of the 4 aeroponics operations was presented in 2024.However, there are still many challenges faced by the doers of Aeroponics. What are some of the key issues faced and how can these be resolved? A questionnaire will be prepared and sent to aeroponics businesses around the world to ask what are the challenges faced and what are the research priorities. The results will be solicited by early 2026 from which an agenda will be prepared for the Thematic workshop in Kenya.

    Global Potato Sustainability (GPS)

    John Mesko
    President and CEO
    Potato Sustainability Alliance

    Rooted in an understanding of food and farming, John Mesko has been advancing agricultural sustainability for over 30 years, working with supply chain partners to help farmers learn about, evaluate, and choose farming practices which make sense for their bottom line. As the President and CEO of the Potato Sustainability Alliance, John and his team are collecting and reporting data and information which help to tell the unique story of potato sustainability. He speaks regularly about agricultural sustainability and is the host of the Resource Positive Agriculture podcast.

    John Mesko
    President and CEO
    Potato Sustainability Alliance

    Chad Hutchinson
    Global Director of Potato Research
    and Market Support
    TriCal Group

    A Hoosier by birth, Chad Hutchinson cultivated a deep appreciation for agriculture from his early days growing up amidst Indiana’s farmlands. An early respect for farmers and farming guided him into a career in plant science. Chad’s academic journey began at Ball State University, where he earned both his B.S. and M.S. degrees in biology. He then pursued his passion for plants at Purdue University, completing his Ph.D. in Plant Physiology/Horticulture.

    Dr. Hutchinson’s background in horticulture led him to the University of Florida, where he served as a faculty member and the state’s potato specialist for a decade. In this role, he directly supported potato growers, sharing critical knowledge and solutions in crop nutrition, variety development, and soil fumigation. His transition to the private sector in 2007 marked a new chapter as he joined TriEst Ag Group, Inc. as Director of Research. His impactful contributions led to a promotion in 2020 to Global Director of Potato Research and Market Support for the entire TriCal Group.

    Throughout his career, Dr. Hutchinson has collaborated with potato producers across the globe. His work spans crucial areas such as variety selection, crop nutrition, soil health, and soil disease suppression, working to help farmers achieve their production goals. Chad is recognized for his understanding of crop production and soil fumigation practices, and their direct influence on potato crop yield and quality. He has been an invited speaker worldwide, sharing his positivity and insights on soil fumigation, soil health, and advanced potato crop production techniques.

    Dr. Chad Hutchinson

    Chad Hutchinson
    Global Director of Potato Research
    and Market Support
    TriCal Group

    As a staple crop with significant nutritional value, potatoes play a vital role in global food security. Yet, it also faces challenges related to climate change, soil health, and water management. Additionally, global food brands and consumers are interested in potato production practices and their impacts on the environment, farmer livelihoods, and rural communities. By fostering a worldwide conversation, we can share knowledge and strategies to address these issues effectively.

    A global dialogue is essential because the challenges and solutions related to potato sustainability vary significantly across regions. Different climates, soils, and cultural practices mean that a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work. By collaborating on a global scale, we can tailor sustainable practices to fit local contexts, ensuring they are both practical and impactful. This collaboration can lead to innovative solutions that might not emerge within isolated efforts.

    Engaging in a global conversation allows us to harness the power of collective action. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, we can accelerate the pace of innovation and implementation of sustainable practices. This unified approach not only strengthens the potato sector but also sets a precedent for other crops and industries to follow suit on the path to sustainability.

    Purpose and Actionables:
    • Open the door for global and regional networking, via the in-person workshop session at the World Potato Congress in Kenya in 2026.
    • Connect with agricultural experts to understand regional challenges and solutions.
    • Join international discussions to share insights and learn from others.
    • Learn about initiatives in other regions and prepare to be a thought leader in your region going forward.
    • Share global sustainability challenges and practices to fit local agricultural and cultural contexts.

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