Mayar El Kheshen

Head of Strategic Innovative Finance · United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Egypt · company speakers →

Mayar El Kheshen is a development economist and passionate advocate for inclusive growth, food security, and women’s economic empowerment. With over 15 years of experience at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, finance, and agriculture, she has built a distinguished career designing and scaling transformative models that empower smallholder farmers, strengthen rural resilience, and open doors for women across Egypt and the MENA region.Currently serving as Head of Strategic Innovative Finance at the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Egypt, Mayar leads pioneering initiatives in partnership with the Central Bank of Egypt and the private sector. She has successfully driven the scale-up of national models linking farmers to markets, finance, and sustainable livelihoods. Her leadership has positioned Egypt at the forefront of innovative finance for development, demonstrating how public–private partnerships can transform entire food systems.Before joining WFP, Mayar worked at the National Bank of Egypt within the Strategic Planning and Investment teams, where she contributed to shaping corporate strategy, investment priorities, and financial inclusion initiatives aligned with national development goals. Her earlier work with GIZ, USAID, and ICARDA centered on rural development, agribusiness, and women’s economic empowerment across the MENA region.Academically, Mayar holds a PhD and MSc in Agricultural Economics from Cairo University, and her research has contributed to advancing knowledge on rural livelihoods, agricultural exports, and water resource management in Egypt. She has authored multiple publications in the Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Economics and presented her work at international forums. She also holds a certificate in Peace and Conflict Resolution from Chulalongkorn University & the Rotary Peace Center, reflecting her commitment to bridging development and peacebuilding.Beyond her professional career, Mayar is an active mentor to young professionals in the fields of development and finance. She is passionate about creating pathways for women and youth to lead in agriculture, recognizing them as key drivers of innovation and sustainability.A frequent speaker at regional and international forums, Mayar brings not only technical expertise but also a deep personal conviction that resilient communities and empowered women are at the heart of sustainable agricultural transformation.

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