Surita Sandosham, President and CEO of Heifer International on Ending Hunger Through Locally Led Development
- Admin
- Jan 4
- 2 min read
In this episode, Surita Sandosham, President and CEO of Heifer International, shares how one of the world’s most established development organizations is reimagining the fight against hunger and poverty through locally led, systems-based solutions.
With more than 80 years of experience and work spanning 19 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, Heifer International partners with smallholder farmers, especially women, to build sustainable, climate-resilient food systems. The conversation explores how farmers move from subsistence to thriving producers by strengthening social capital, building profitable value chains, and creating cooperative models that unlock market access, finance, and long-term resilience.
Surita explains why women and youth are central to transforming agriculture, particularly in contexts where women face barriers to land rights, credit, and decision-making, and where young people often see farming as an unattractive future. From self-help groups and savings models to partnerships that enable mechanization and entrepreneurship, the discussion highlights how dignity, agency, and opportunity are created at the community level.
The episode also dives into the Personal Transformation Index, a data-driven framework developed with academic partners to measure confidence, leadership, decision-making, and civic engagement among farmers. The results reveal how social capital and values-based development translate into stronger livelihoods, reduced household conflict, shared decision-making, and greater participation in local governance.
Throughout the conversation, Surita reflects on the urgency of global food insecurity, the limitations of working in isolation, and the importance of long-term partnerships with governments, multilaterals, businesses, and donors. The episode closes with a powerful reminder that ending hunger is not only about food production, but about building inclusive systems where farmers are recognized as producers, leaders, and stewards of the planet.
About Surita Sandosham
Surita was born and raised in Singapore and brings over 20 years of senior leadership experience in global non-profit organizations. Most recently, she served as the Executive Director of Heartland Alliance International, a Chicago-based humanitarian and human rights organization. There, she championed human rights by delivering lifesaving services and advocating for survivors of conflict and those at risk of human rights abuses.
Before her tenure at Heartland Alliance, Surita held the role of Vice President of Programs at Synergos, a global non-profit in New York. In this capacity, she spearheaded the creation of multisectoral partnerships to empower smallholder farmers and uplift vulnerable populations.
A lawyer qualified to practice in the United Kingdom, Singapore, and New York, Surita earned her degrees from City University London and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.
Her career spans leadership roles at esteemed organizations including Amnesty International, Equality Now, Lambda Legal Defense Fund, Rockefeller Foundation, Synergos, and Heartland Alliance International.
Her work as an international development practitioner and human rights advocate has focused on accelerating agricultural growth, tackling maternal and child malnutrition, enhancing education retention, and promoting inclusive economic development for vulnerable communities.