Professor H.R. Mloza Banda (LEAD Fellow), has over 20 years of practical experience in a tertiary environment with demonstrable developments and innovation in teaching, research and community engagements underlain by major focus on crop and weed ecology, agricultural water management and climate-smart cropping systems. He trained in leadership, environment and development through the LEAD Programme from which he acquired added skills in agricultural, social, economic and environmental impact assessments and policy development. He has deep knowledge about higher education landscape having led academic units as Chair of Department, Faculty Dean, and Director of Postgraduate Programmes and Director of Research and extensive involvement with higher education networks. He has a track record of securing regional and international grants and implementing action research including through postgraduate research support programmes that have benefited many young professionals. He has provided consultancy and tenure services for government, International Research Centres, Universities, NGOs and farmer organizations yielding national and international public goods. He has demonstrable skills in synthesis and development of information and communication materials and presentations at national, regional and international forums.