Peter Amer

Peter Amer is the Group Managing Director at AbacusBio Limited (Dunedin, New Zealand) with a strong interest in the economics and design of breeding programs. He has published extensively in the area of breeding objectives and economic selection indexes developed under his leadership are widely used around the world. The challenge of achieving genetic progress which will benefit the most disadvantaged global communities is also of strong interest. He believes that collaboration and consultation are fundamental to the adoption and impact of both multi-trait selection indexes and also Community Based Breeding Programs.

Andrew Tripp

Andrew was brought up in Christchurch, New Zealand, studied at Lincoln University and in 1994 was married to Heather, taking over the family farm in Southland, raising their 4 children. Over the last 30 years they have developed the farm, converted part to dairy and continued to expand the sheep genetics business. Now with the sheep and beef unit under management of another couple and the dairy unit being run by a contract milker, Andrew and Heather have shifted off farm and although still involved at an oversight level are no longer involved hands on. Andrew is also involved in a Charitable Trust, a local International Connect Group which seeks to help new international families adjust and settle into the area and a local church. This as well as ultra distant running still keeps him occupied and his hands full!

Chanda Nimbkar

Dr. Chanda Nimbkar forms a powerful voice in the world of animal science and genetic research. From being a small-town girl in the Taluka of Phaltan, she is now the Director of Animal Husbandry at the Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), an Adjunct Faculty at the ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute , and a Trustee for the International Livestock Research Institute board. She is a strong believer that women bring a different perspective to science and she hopes to see more joining her field.

Santashree Mitra

Santashree Mitra brings nearly two decades of international experience in higher education across the United Kingdom and Europe, alongside expertise in business development, marketing, and relationship building. Of Indian heritage, she is proud to call Ōtepoti Dunedin home, where she works at Enterprise Dunedin across economic development, and international education partnerships. Santashree has governance experience in early childhood education and strong connections across business, community and government networks in New Zealand and India, with further experience in marketing strategy across Asia and Africa. Passionate about cross-cultural collaboration and sustainable community development, Santashree is particularly motivated by women’s empowerment, and the role economic independence can play in creating lasting change. She looks forward to contributing her experience and networks to Dtreo’s work in improving livelihoods through sustainable livestock breeding.

Hugh Blair

Hugh Blair is Professor Emeritus at Massey University and brings more than four decades of experience in animal breeding, genetics and livestock production systems to the Dtreo Foundation. He was formerly Head of Animal Science and Deputy Head of Massey University’s Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences. Hugh has extensive international experience, including advisory work in Malawi, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Uruguay, Brazil and China. He is currently involved in a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-supported project focused on improving cattle pregnancy rates in Africa and Asia. This experience gives him a strong understanding of applying animal science in diverse production systems and developing-country contexts. Alongside his scientific career, Hugh brings substantial governance experience. He is a Trustee of the C Alma Baker Charitable Trust and a member of the DairyNZ Genetics Advisory Panel. As Chair of the Dtreo Foundation Board of Trustees, Hugh combines highly relevant expertise in livestock genetic improvement with experience in charitable and non-profit governance, helping guide the Foundation as it seeks to improve livelihoods through sustainable livestock breeding.