About
Versant Vision’s principal, Dr Christine Negra, collaborates with research, development, and finance organizations around the world to bring science into policies and markets. Specializing in climate change and agri-food systems, Christine advances multi-sector, inter-disciplinary solutions in partnership with foundations, companies, agencies, NGOs, and research centers.
As an Extension agent, a program director, and an international consultant, Christine has experience in 30 countries and has written more than 50 publications related to technical, policy, market, and finance dimensions of sustainability. She holds a PhD in soil chemistry and an MS in natural resources planning from the University of Vermont and a BA in government studies from Wesleyan University.
Partnerships and projects
Long-term partnerships with the United Nations Foundation, CIMMYT, the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture, and Clarmondial AG are contributing to agri-food systems transformation by:
Collaborating with African researchers and innovators to identify effective investment strategies for smallholder-centered, climate-smart agricultural innovation.
Publishing science-based ‘rapid responses’ to urgent food and fertilizer supply crises arising from geopolitical conflict and extreme weather.
Clarifying opportunities for sustainable agricultural finance with institutional investors, foundations, and NGOs and in the IPCC’s AR6.
Laying the foundation for robust environmental impact reporting for agriculture.
Projects with public, private, philanthropic, and research institutions take many forms including evaluating the best available evidence to illuminate decision making and clarify purpose. For example, Versant Vision provided strategic insight and field-based evaluation to inform the One CGIAR transition. Knowledge-intensive, deep-dive collaborations have culminated in impact assessment guidance for AFOLU finance projects with Climate Policy Initiative’s Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance and Agriculture, Forestry, and Marine sectoral eligibility criteria for green bond certification through the Climate Bonds Initiative. To define strategic investments and empower ambition, Versant Vision aligns perspectives and activates commitments, for example through scientific coordination and communication for the International Year of Pulses.
Versant Vision has delivered creativity, discernment, and analytical rigor to support high-impact projects and change-oriented leaders in:
Research institutions including many centers and programs of the CGIAR international agricultural research-for-development network including the International Maize & Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), the Alliance Bioversity & CIAT, CGIAR Independent Advisory & Evaluation Service, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
National and international agencies including the US Agency for International Development, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Industry associations and private sector initiatives including the Climate Bonds Initiative, the Sustainable Rice Landscapes Initiative, the Global Pulse Confederation, and the Dutch Sustainable Trade Initiative.
Foundations working in sustainability and climate change including the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture, the United Nations Foundation, and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security.
Contact: Christine[at]VersantVision.com