Alesha Black is the Managing Director of the Global Food and Agriculture Program at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. In this role she oversees research publications, public events on food security and nutrition, and represents the Council externally. From 2007 to 2015 she worked at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in multiple roles, ranging from strategic partnerships with bilateral governments and UN agencies to managing a grant portfolio working to connect smallholder farmers to better market opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa. Black also co-led internal activities to link nutrition and agriculture programs, developed the first gender strategy, and supported advocacy activities to raise the profile of smallholder agriculture globally. Black received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and her master’s from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.