Kenyan Cereal Millers Association CEO Paloma Fernandes joins Global Micronutrient Forum Board
Fernandes has served as CEO of the Cereal Millers Association for over 18 years, during which she has collaborated with government agencies and non-state actors to enforce mandatory food fortification standards in Kenya.
KENYA – Mrs. Paloma Fernandes, O.G.W., Chief Executive Officer of the Cereal Millers Association in Kenya, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Micronutrient Forum, a prominent global organization dedicated to advancing micronutrient nutrition through science, policy, and partnerships.
This appointment recognizes her extensive contributions to nutrition and food safety initiatives in Kenya and across Africa.
The Cereal Millers Association, which represents wheat and maize milling companies accounting for approximately 40% of Kenya’s milling capacity, issued a statement extending congratulations to Fernandes.
In their statement, the Cereal Millers Association expressed pride in Fernandes’ achievement. We are proud to see your voice and the voice of Africa’s flour fortification leaders represented on such an influential platform.” They encouraged her to “continue shining and lifting others as you rise.”
The organization highlighted the appointment as “an incredible milestone and a well-deserved recognition of Paloma’s passion and dedication to improving nutrition and food safety across Kenya and beyond.”
It further noted that her role on the board positions Kenya and its milling industry at the forefront of international nutrition discussions, amplifying the perspectives of Africa’s flour fortification leaders.
Fernandes has served as CEO of the Cereal Millers Association for over 18 years, during which she has collaborated with government agencies and non-state actors to enforce mandatory food fortification standards in Kenya.
“Having spent over 18 years working in Kenya’s milling sector, I have seen firsthand how better nutrition can transform lives. Through our work at the Cereal Millers Association, we have worked tirelessly to promote food safety, scale fortification, and self-regulate on aflatoxin control,” Paloma wrote on her LinkedIn platform.
She represents the private sector in aflatoxin mitigation efforts and serves on the National Food Safety Steering Committee.
Her work emphasizes industry-led approaches to ensure safe and nutritious food supplies, including partnerships aimed at reaching one billion people with fortified staple foods through initiatives like the Millers for Nutrition coalition.
“This appointment is more than a personal milestone, it represents an opportunity to contribute to an organisation with a truly global reach and impact in the nutrition sector and I am truly humbled to be part of this Forum,” she noted.
The Micronutrient Forum, guided by its Board of Directors, oversees the implementation of strategic plans and organizes biennial global conferences to address micronutrient deficiencies worldwide.
The board comprises international experts in nutrition, public health, and related fields, including Chair Shawn K. Baker of Helen Keller International and other professionals from academia, policy, and industry.
Fernandes’ inclusion strengthens the forum’s representation from the African private sector, fostering greater collaboration on global nutrition challenges.
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