Emmy Simmons

Senior Adviser (Non-resident), Global Food and Water Security Program
Emmy Simmons

Emmy Simmons is an independent consultant on international development issues with a focus on food, agriculture, and Africa. She is currently a member of the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition, the Board of the Global Crop Diversity Trust, the steering committee for the CGIAR research program Agriculture for Nutrition (A4NH), and the Board of SNV USA. She has previously served on other Boards and advisory groups, including as a co-chair of AGree, an initiative that brings together a diverse group of interests to transform U.S. food and agriculture policy, and as a co-chair of the Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability at the National Academies of Science. She completed a career of nearly 30 years with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2005, having served since 2002 as the assistant administrator for economic growth, agriculture, and trade, a presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed position. Prior to joining USAID, she worked in the Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs in Monrovia, Liberia, and taught and conducted research at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria. She began her international career as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines from 1962 to 1964. She holds an M.S. degree in agricultural economics from Cornell University and a B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

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Healthy Eating: Food, Family, and Good Nutrition

When healthy, sustainable diets are not achievable for all, societies and economies are at risk. Despite growing recognition of food and nutrition insecurity in international dialogues, it is still unclear who should do what to strengthen food systems.

Commentary by Emmy Simmons — May 19, 2023

Sizing Up: Growing Fast Food Consumption in Urban Africa

What is the relationship between urbanization, fast food, and food security in Africa? CSIS's Mvemba Dizolele and Emmy Simmons talk to sustainable development lecturer James Boafo to discuss how fast food consumption is shaping the future of African cities.

Commentary by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele and Emmy Simmons — May 10, 2022

Report Launch: Recurring Storms: Food Insecurity, Political Instability, and Conflict

Please join us for the launch of our newest report, Recurring Storms: Food Insecurity, Political Instability, and Conflict, written by Emmy Simmons. Hear a presentation and join a dialogue with experts on why renewed and expanded international collaboration to anticipate and prepare for food insecurity is essential. Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Syria are examples that vividly underscore the explosiveness of fragile states and the issues that need to be prioritized in order to regain sustainable food security. Averting future storms will require the recognition that food security challenges will extend long beyond 2030, political leadership must be visibly committed to these issues, and actions to reduce fragmentation will be critical.

Event — February 7, 2017