At Less Is Adequate (LIA), our mission to transform global food systems and promote healthier food environments is guided by a group of dedicated and visionary leaders. Our Board of Trustees comprises experts and advocates from diverse fields, united by their commitment to addressing diet-related health challenges and driving impactful change.
In this publication, we’re proud to introduce the individuals who shape our strategies, steer our mission, and help us create a healthier future for communities around the world. Meet our Board of Trustees:
Dr. Alida Melse-Boonstra
Dr. Alida Melse-Boonstra focuses in her research on new and sustainable solutions for micronutrient malnutrition in low and middle income countries, such as biofortified crops or edible insects. She studies vitamin A, iron, iodine and zinc deficiencies in relation to growth and health in vulnerable population groups such as pregnant women, infants, children and adolescents. She applies various stable isotope dilution technique to assess nutrient status and absorption in humans. Dr. Alida uses different modelling tools to understand nutrient metabolism, requirements and adequacy of dietary intake with a focus on nutrient bioavailability.
She is currently an Associate Professor at the Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University & Research. She teaches undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate courses on topics related to her research.
Dr Kingsley Akinroye
Dr. Kingsley Akinroye is a seasoned physician and global health leader with over 20 years of expertise in cardiovascular health and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). He brings a wealth of experience in non-profit management, epidemiology, program evaluation, advocacy, strategic communication, multisectoral partnerships, and capacity building.
With a strong background in public health and business development, Dr. Akinroye is also an accomplished public speaker and has contributed extensively to peer-reviewed journals on hypertension, nutrition, tobacco control, and physical activity. He has delivered impactful presentations at the United Nations and key conferences across Africa, the UK, Asia, the USA, and Canada.
Currently serving as the Executive Chairman of the Osun State Hospital Management Board in Osun State, Nigeria, Dr. Akinroye continues to champion initiatives that improve health systems and address the global burden of NCDs.
Barbara Rehbinder
Barbara Rehbinder is a seasoned global advocate with almost 15 years of experience in Nutrition, Food Systems, Global Health, and Humanitarian Affairs. As Deputy Head of Network for Strategy and Advocacy at the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Civil Society Network, she bridges over 4,500 member organisations across 65 countries with global advocacy platforms. Barbara has led key initiatives such as the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Toolkit and the Accountability Task Force, fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders to drive accountability in global nutrition processes.
Her career includes impactful roles at the SUN Movement Secretariat, Médecins Sans Frontières, and UNAIDS, where she represented civil society and humanitarian priorities in multilateral fora, including the World Health Assembly and Human Rights Council. A graduate of Sciences Po Grenoble and the Institute of International and Strategic Relations in Paris, Barbara combines academic expertise with strategic leadership to influence global policies and promote equitable health and nutrition outcomes.
Dr. Jacqueline Landman
Dr. Jacqueline Patricia Landman is a highly accomplished public health nutritionist with an extensive background in maternal and child health, nutrition science, and food systems. Born in South Africa and educated in England, she holds a BSc Hons in Biochemistry from the University of Dundee, an MSc in Nutrition from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), and a PhD in Nutrition from the University of the West Indies, Mona (Jamaica).
Throughout her career, Dr. Landman has made significant contributions to the field of public health nutrition, particularly in research and education. She has taught at the Master’s, BSc, and Diploma levels, leading applied research projects on topics such as the nutrition of infants and pregnant women and promoting health initiatives for South Asian communities in Scotland.
Dr. Landman has held influential roles, including Registrar and Membership Executive at the Nutrition Society for 11 years, where she worked on professionalisation and regulation in nutrition. She later returned to academia at the University of Southampton, where she continues to serve as a Visiting Lecturer and co-supervises PhD students.
Her commitment to global nutrition extends to her work with the African Nutrition Society (ANS), where she has been actively involved in improving school nutrition and health in Africa since 2017. As a former Trustee of the Association for Nutrition (AFN), Dr. Landman has played a pivotal role in shaping policies and programs aimed at improving nutritional outcomes in underserved communities.
At Less Is Adequate, Dr. Landman’s vast expertise will contribute to reforming global food systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), by working closely with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to improve children’s food products. Her experience in applied research, teaching, and policy advocacy makes her an invaluable asset to LIA’s mission of promoting healthier food environments and sustainable dietary practices for children under five.
Prof. Uma Koirala
Prof. Uma Koirala brings over 30 years of expertise in university teaching and research, specializing in nutrition, food security, and gender and social inclusion (GESI). A postgraduate scholar from Ghent University, Belgium, with a focus on Food Science and Nutrition Management Planning, she combines deep theoretical knowledge with exceptional skills in policy analysis, program design, budgeting, planning, social development, and stakeholder coordination. Prof. Koirala has extensive experience in monitoring and evaluation, research, training, report writing, and facilitating multi-stakeholder collaborations, including partnerships with governments and various organizations.
Her wide-ranging expertise spans policy formation and strategic program management in gender, gender audits, health, nutrition, food security, risk management, and human development, particularly women’s development. She is recognized for her contributions to multidisciplinary approaches in Nepal and internationally.
Prof. Koirala serves as a Technical Committee Member of the Nutrition and Food Security Coordination Committee under Nepal’s National Planning Commission. She has held esteemed roles, including as an Executive Committee Member of the Global Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement at the UN and as a leader of the Civil Society Alliance for Nutrition (CSANN) in Nepal. Additionally, she is a member of the National Development Council—an apex body of Nepal’s National Planning Commission—and the Independent Expert Group for the Global Nutrition Report (GNR). Her contributions have been instrumental in advancing global and national efforts in nutrition and social development.
