It is with very deep sadness that we share the news that our dear colleague and beloved friend, Kathy Kahn, has died.

Kathy was an extraordinary person whose work, support and friendship was an important part of so many of our lives. She was a driving force behind ENSA, RIPE, CASS and so many other programmes and partnerships in crop science, including cassava research, large-scale wheat programmes and African research networks. Even while creating so many ambitious and successful programmes, Kathy always placed the well-being and development of the people within them at the centre of her work.

So many of us owe Kathy an enormous amount, both professionally and personally. She supported many scientists, breeders, research teams and partners around the world with her great drive and warmth and all with a profound sense of fairness and genuine care. She created so many opportunities, strengthened our partnerships, and guided many people towards achieving their visions, ensuring that we were all held to the highest standards of behaviour and fairness.

Kathy will be missed so much by us and we know her memory will now be honoured by colleagues and friends across the world. We are deeply grateful for her life and the huge difference she made to so many people. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family and everyone who knew Kathy.

Simona Radutoiu and Uta Paszkowski, ENSA Co-Directors
Christian Rogers, ENSA Program Manager
On behalf of the ENSA community

Kathy Kahn and Christian Rogers leading the Crop Research Track at the Gates Foundation’s Grand Challenges Annual Meeting, held at the QEII Centre in London in 2016. Bringing together ENSA, RIPE, C4 Rice and wider agricultural research and funding partners, the session reflected Kathy’s vision for connecting people and programmes to explore new collaborations and enabling technologies.

Kathy Kahn and Christian Rogers leading the Crop Research Track at the Gates Foundation’s Grand Challenges Annual Meeting, held at the QEII Centre in London in 2016. Bringing together ENSA, RIPE, C4 Rice and wider agricultural research and funding partners, the session reflected Kathy’s vision for connecting people and programmes to explore new collaborations and enabling technologies.

Colleagues in discussion following the African Cassava Whitefly Project Meeting, held at Beaumont Estate, Windsor, in May 2024. The Cassava Breeders Round Table brought together breeders to explore how researchers could better connect with farmers’ needs and practical application reflecting Kathy’s commitment to partnership and connecting groups essential for impact.

Colleagues in discussion following the African Cassava Whitefly Project Meeting, held at Beaumont Estate, Windsor, in May 2024. The Cassava Breeders Round Table brought together breeders to explore how researchers could better connect with farmers’ needs and practical application reflecting Kathy’s commitment to partnership and connecting groups essential for impact.

Richard Michelmore shared this photograph of himself and Kathy near the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. He remembers preparing for a quiet evening in Sydney when Kathy persuaded him to undertake the night-time bridge climb instead. The photograph captures Kathy’s adventurous spirit, warmth and ability to draw people into memorable experiences together. Richard described her as “a visionary advocate for the under-resourced farmer in Africa and elsewhere”, whose work improved the well-being of millions of people, and reflected that serving on the DRRW Scientific Advisory Board and those of subsequent projects was among the most rewarding experiences of his career.

Richard Michelmore shared this photograph of himself and Kathy near the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. He remembers preparing for a quiet evening in Sydney when Kathy persuaded him to undertake the night-time bridge climb instead. The photograph captures Kathy’s adventurous spirit, warmth and ability to draw people into memorable experiences together. Richard described her as “a visionary advocate for the under-resourced farmer in Africa and elsewhere”, whose work improved the well-being of millions of people, and reflected that serving on the DRRW Scientific Advisory Board and those of subsequent projects was among the most rewarding experiences of his career.