OUR TEAM
Nate Blum
Chief Executive Officer,
Sorghum United Foundation
Nate Blum serves as the Chief Executive Officer of BlüMilo and the Sorghum United
Foundation. The Sorghum United Foundation is an international NGO serving to advance
education and markets development for sorghum and millets while empowering local
communities to leverage high value local markets. Mr. Blum is passionate about the mission of
the Sorghum United Foundation due to the solutions for food security, nutrition, environmental
sustainability, and rural economic disparity that these ancient grains represent. He is an expert on
production and marketing, with a focus on value-added agriculture processing for sorghum-based
products.
Mr. Blum has represented the sorghum and millets industry in forty countries, spanning every
habitable continent, as well as at the United Nations FAO. He has also worked with international
stakeholders in regard to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, hosting an
Independent Food Systems Summit (August 2021). Mr. Blum served as the Executive Director
of the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board and the Nebraska Sorghum Producers Association from
2019 to 2023.
Mr. Blum serves on the USDA Grains, Feed, and Oilseeds Ag Trade Advisory Committee
(ATAC). The ATAC advised trade policy to the office of the US Trade Representative. He also
serves on the Private Sector Mechanism (PSM) advising the United Nations Committee on Food
Security (CFS). He is an Alumnus of the University of Nebraska (Class of 2019), the Nebraska
Leadership, Education, Agriculture, Development (LEAD) Program (Class XXXVI), and also
served as the Vice president of the Nebraska LEAD Alumni Association.
Mr. Blum has been featured in print, television, podcast, and radio media worldwide. Notable
examples include the BBC, The Startup LA Podcast with Monique Lore, MSN, The Hindustan
Times, and Kilimo News. Mr. Blum also speaks at sustainability and food technology
conferences globally and enjoys speaking with tomorrow’s leaders at the university level.
Mr. Blum received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Nebraska. He also
enjoys volunteering, mentoring, and organizing community events in his free time. Mr. Blum is
also the author of the ‘Sorgho Squad’ adventure series and video game.
Website: www.sorghumunited.com
Anne Kamau
Regional Director of Africa
Anne Kamau is the Fractional Regional Director, Africa and spearheads Sorghum United operations. She is a highly experienced and talented professional in project management, marketing, operations, corporate relations, and enterprise development. With over 7 years of experience as a Project Manager at Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (bbw) gGmbH Kenya, Anne has successfully planned, coordinated, and implemented various projects in the water and vocational training industries. Anne also has vast experience in enterprise development and has run several businesses. She is known for her expertise in partner liaison, operational management, financial planning, and effective communication.
Dr. Bamdeo Tripathi
Regional Director for Asia, the Pacific and the MENA Region
Dr. Bamdeo Tripathi comes from a family of farmers and ancient Ayurveda practitioners in Varanasi, Dr. Tripathi brings a unique blend of traditional knowledge and modern expertise to his mission.
A veteran with 35 years of experience in the global oil and gas industry, Dr. Tripathi retired as Regional President of the Middle East and North Africa region at ONGC Videsh Limited. His extensive career involved navigating complex commercial and legal challenges across 11 countries, holding multiple board-level positions in regional subsidiaries and joint ventures. He has also been part of gevernment delegations, interacting with energy ministers on intricate issues and leading their resolution.
Since his retirement, Dr. Tripathi has dedicated himself to advancing his family’s agricultural ventures, becoming a fervent proponent of millets. He champions their potential to address climate change risks, water scarcity, poverty, and food and nutrient deficiencies, particularly in the global south. Through Sorghum United, Dr. Tripathi aims to build a collaborative platform for stakeholders in the millet farm-to-fork value chain, fostering innovation and growth in sustainable agriculture.
Monique Lorè Stinson
VP of Media and Marketing Sorghum United
Monique is a dynamic marketing professional with a diverse background spanning over 25 years in sales, marketing, and media production. Born in Hollywood, California, and raised in West Covina, she was an accomplished hurdler at Mt. San Antonio College and is pursuing her MBA at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School.
Throughout her career, Monique has excelled in various roles within the health and fitness industry, notably serving as a Fitness Manager at 24 Hour Fitness, where she achieved an impressive 118% of sales targets. Her dedication to excellence is further demonstrated by her athletic achievements, including breaking the same league record in the 100-meter hurdles as her father, Allen, and ranking as the 8th fastest hurdler in California’s Junior College division.
Monique has played a pivotal role in shaping the Reality TV genre, holding positions as a casting producer and director for prominent networks such as MTV, CBS, Fox, ABC, VH1, BET, Lifetime, and Bravo. Her work on Fox’s “Cristina’s Court” earned her two Daytime Emmy Awards, showcasing her talent and commitment to quality production.
As an entrepreneur, Monique founded several companies, including CapAquarius Media Co., The Wine Caterers, LLC, Latchkey Kid Films LLC, Silicon Beach Coffee Co., Natural Born Somm, and Swag & Sponsors. Under the umbrella of Moniq, Inc., she is developing a conglomerate that encompasses media, brand placement, marketing, production, documentary films, and various lifestyle ventures. Her passion projects, such as “The Rebel Dutchess,” “Winston Capone the Bulldog,” and “Hollywood & Wine,” reflect her diverse interests and entrepreneurial spirit.
In addition to her business endeavors, Monique is an author with several books in progress and hosts two weekly podcasts on LA Talk Radio. She has completed a groundbreaking independent documentary trilogy titled “The Pandemic Project,” which has received numerous selections and awards at international film festivals. The trilogy includes “The Pandemic Project Documentary,” “The Pandemic Film,” and “The Endemic Project,” the latter highlighting stories from everyday people in over 40 countries. Monique’s dedication to film journalism has also led to her acceptance into NYU’s Rolling Stone Journalism program in Summer 2024.
Shreema Mehta
Communications Director – Sorgho Squad
Shreema Mehta is a communications consultant with Sorghum United. She is the founder of
Climate Cookery, whose mission is to create modern, delicious foods from the traditional,
climate-smart crops overlooked by the industrial food system –like sorghum! She has over a
decade of experience designing and executing media and marketing strategies for
environmental organizations and clean energy companies. She holds a master’s degree in
environmental policy from the University of Maryland, where she studied market solutions for
sustainable resource management.
Lainie Strouse
Chief Fundraising Officer
A visionary leader in philanthropy, social impact, and entertainment, Lainie Strouse has built a distinguished career as an Executive Director, Development Director, Social Impact Consultant, and TV/Film and Live Event Producer. She has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for globally recognized organizations, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Make-A-Wish Foundation, FCancer, Hilarity for Charity, Call to Unite Covid Relief Fund, the Writers Guild of America, and the Screen Actors Guild Foundation. With a strategic mindset and a laser focus on results, she empowers organizations to craft compelling messaging, enhance visibility, optimize efficiency, and unlock new revenue streams—all while staying true to their core mission.
As a sought-after consultant, Ms. Strouse collaborates with top talent to drive meaningful change. She launched The Ellen Fund for Ellen DeGeneres with a landmark fundraising concert featuring Bruno Mars, Chris Martin, and James Corden—exceeding its $2 million goal by raising $5 million for endangered species preservation. She co-created Seth and Lauren Rogen’s Hilarity for Charity, securing $1 million for Alzheimer’s patient care, and produced Greg Berlanti’s Berlanti Hero Gala, raising over $1.5 million for FCancer while honoring Stephen Amell, Mindy Kaling, and Julie Plec, with performances by Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, En Vogue, Tori Kelly, Trevor Noah, and Jeff Garlin.
Beyond philanthropy, Lainie has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry. An accomplished producer, she helmed the feature film Teacher of the Year, starring Keegan-Michael Key (was #1 on Netflix, now streaming on Paramount +, Amazon Prime and Google Play), Rockstar in the Kitchen, and upcoming Abbie’s Party, Saturday Night Lights and Tunnel Vision. She also produced PBS’s The Write Environment and numerous live awards shows for the Writers Guild of America, the Makeup & Hairstyle Guild, DGA Honors and the Los Angeles Film Critics Society. Additionally, Lainie’s career as an actress includes recurring roles on ABC’s General Hospital and CW’s Wicked, Wicked Games.
With an unparalleled ability to bridge philanthropy and entertainment, Lainie Strouse is a driving force behind high-impact initiatives that create lasting change.
Jen Rae Wang
Chief Strategy Officer
Jen Rae Wang is our Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), bringing more than 20 years of experience at the highest levels of government, communications and successful entrepreneurship to Sorghum United. Beginning her career in journalism, Jen Rae has spent nearly two decades working in the U.S. Congress, a U.S. Governor’s Office, the White House, and as head of communications for the National Air and Space Administration (NASA). She also spent a year building a disruptive healthcare start-up and two years helping bring women’s major league professional volleyball to the U.S., with her team, the Omaha Supernovas, winning the first-ever national championship.
Jen Rae has earned a journalism degree from the University of Kansas, her Master of Business Administration from Doane University, holds an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership earned through the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Executive Education, as well as three Executive Certificates through Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Sloan School of Management, Executive Education, in Management & Leadership, Digital Business, and Strategy & Innovation. She is in the process of completing a fourth MIT Executive Certificate in Technology & Operations, and MIT’s Sloan School of Management Advanced Certificate for Executives (ACE) in Management, Innovation & Technology.
Jen Rae is passionate about public service and serves on several boards, as well as advising on various political campaigns. She and her husband, a recently retired Major in the U.S. Marine Corp, live in the heartland, spending time in Florida and Washington, D.C. with their kids.
Albert Chapasuka
Regional Manager – Southern Africa
Albert Chapasuka is a dynamic Zimbabwean entrepreneur, marketer, and philanthropist with an exceptional track record in business development, community empowerment, and international trade relations. As the founder of Best Marketing Consultancy and Well Life Foundation, Albert has led transformative initiatives that uplift farmers, entrepreneurs, and underserved communities, driving sustainable economic growth and innovation across Zimbabwe and the Southern African region.
With a Chartered Marketer (CIM-UK) qualification and extensive international experience, Albert has excelled in navigating global business landscapes, fostering trade, investment, and cross-border collaborations. His unwavering dedication to empowering communities and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is reflected in his focus on addressing food security challenges, climate resilience, and inclusive economic development.
Albert’s personal motto, “Gathering communities, empowering people, and transforming lives,” exemplifies his commitment to creating opportunities for underserved populations and fostering vibrant ecosystems. Inspired by the late Dr. Myles Munroe, Albert believes in the concept of “dying empty”—unlocking one’s full potential to empower and transform communities while leaving a lasting legacy. He is particularly passionate about cultivating visionary leaders in the agricultural sector to address the global food crisis and drive meaningful innovation.
Ann Ruth
Director of Operations and HR
she focuses on optimizing processes, enhancing workflows, and strengthening
organizational structures. With over 7 years of experience in operations management,
logistics, and process improvement, Ann brings a wealth of expertise to her role.
During her tenure at CropSoko, Ann contributed to a community-based sorghum
project, supporting smallholder farmers in marginalized regions to adopt sorghum
farming as a sustainable business through capacity building and market creation. This
initiative created jobs and improved the livelihoods of many families, enabling them to
afford education for their children.
Previously, she held leadership roles in the telecommunications field at Televast
Technology Ltd, where she successfully managed business operations, led large-scale
telecommunications projects, and optimized resource management, leveraging her
background in Telecommunications and IT. Ann is excited to contribute her expertise to
Sorghum United while deepening her knowledge of climate-smart crops like sorghum
and millet.
Krystle Philips
Regional Director of The Caribbean, Latin America, and South America
Krystle Philips, founder of Your Equipment Supplier(YES), hails from the vibrant islands of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. With a deep-seated passion for agricultural development, Krystle has devoted herself to enhancing food security and promoting sustainable farming practices.
at YES, Krystle leads a team committed to supplying cutting-edge equipment solutions to farmers and individual creating value-added products worldwide. From irrigation systems to processing machinery, YES strives to equip clients with the tools necessary to thrive in today’s dynamic agricultural sector.
What sets YES apart is its unwavering dedication to personalized service. Recognizing the pivotal role farmers and value-added product creators play in shaping agricultural practices, Krystle and her team go above and beyond to ensure that each client receives the attention and support they deserve.
Krystle is excited to join the Sorghum United team as the Fractional Regional Director for the Caribbean.
Board Members
Monia Caramma
Vice President
Monia Caramma is Chief Sustainable Food Officer and Sustainable Food Researcher. She has been studying ancient grains with and without gluten since 2000 and she met sorghum in 2015 when she started the first milling trials. In 2017 Monia Caramma formulated the technique of gelatinization and processing of this cereal, obtaining a 100% sorghum dry pasta with excellent cooking hold without the use of additives, emulsifiers, binders.
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Nicholas Musisi
Co-Founder and Executive Director Nutri-Worth
Nicholas is a Ugandan with more than 6 years experience working with millets and sorghum. He began his work with millets in 2015 using it in the management and prevention of malnutrition among children and women in Eastern Uganda; later moving into research on millets and sorghum products that can be used as a nutritious food option during the 1000 days window of opportunity. As founder and team lead Nutri-Worth; Nicholas continues to advocate for healthy food systems and believes millets are a game. changer in the campaign against food insecurity.
Website: www.nutriworth.org
Joanna Kane-Potaka
Co-Founder and Exec Dir Choosing FOOD3050
I have worked in development and food and agriculture for most of my career living in India, Sri Lanka, Italy, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand. The previous 9 years I lived in India and heard about millets and sorghum for the first time and quickly became converted.
I believe we need to drive demand for smarter foods and especially focus on more nutritious and diverse staples – this is how we can have big impact on the health of people and the planet. Underlying this is supporting the smaller entrepreneurs and farmers to be profitable and key players in the economy.
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