Kurt Richter

Kurt Richter serves as the Interim Director, Director, and Deputy Director at Michigan State University, overseeing a $24 million USAID program centered on innovation and research in the food system since August 2015. In addition, Kurt holds the position of Assistant Director for the Global Center for Food System Innovation. Prior experience includes roles such as Associate Professor of International Development at Virginia Tech, Associate Director for Technical Assistance and Special Initiatives at Mercy Corps, and various positions where responsibilities encompassed food aid programs, monitoring and evaluation, consulting on agricultural statistics, and conducting agricultural research. Kurt's academic qualifications include a Ph.D. in Economic Geography and two Master's degrees in Agricultural Economics, complemented by extensive experience in international programs and agricultural policy development across multiple organizations and countries.