SHIRA YOFFE

 

    With more than 25 years advancing US priorities in climate change, natural resource management, and sustainable development, I bring deep experience navigating the intersection of science, policy, and international diplomacy. My career has been dedicated to translating complex environmental and resource challenges into actionable strategies, bridging federal agency expertise with the multilateral frameworks that shape global agriculture, forestry, and water systems.

     Within the US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, I served as a Senior Policy Advisor, where I advised the Chief of the Forest Service and other USDA leaders on climate change, freshwater resources, and trade policy affecting US forest and agricultural interests. I negotiated on behalf of the United States in international fora, including advancing US objectives in multilateral trade negotiations and advising on policies addressing international deforestation linked to commodity trade of agricultural and forest products. I also led US engagement in the international Bonn Challenge, resulting in senior-level commitment to restore 15 million hectares of US forests, and represented the US on the Steering Committee of the Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration.

     At the US Department of State, I led US negotiations on climate change adaptation and research and earth observations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, driving creation of a major work program that addressed climate change impacts and adaptation, including on food and water systems. This required building coalitions across governments, international financial institutions, and technical experts while ensuring consistent US policy positions across multiple international fora. I also led bilateral science and technology partnerships and coordinated strategic US engagement in the Group on Earth Observations, demonstrating how technical cooperation can support agricultural resilience and resource security.

     This breadth of experience—spanning domestic policy frameworks, international negotiations, and science-policy integration—provides unique insight into how environmental and resource challenges affect agricultural competitiveness, productivity, and long-term sustainability. I understand the critical linkages between water security, climate resilience, and agricultural production, and how evolving international standards on sustainability and deforestation can create both risks and opportunities for US producers and agribusinesses.

     I welcome the opportunity to bring this perspective to clients navigating the complex regulatory, environmental, and trade dynamics shaping today's agricultural markets.