Izabela Leao is a Senior Rural Development Specialist in the Agriculture and Food Global Practice of the World Bank in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region, where she leads analytical and operational tasks in the areas of agribusiness development, agricultural productivity and markets, jobs and rural economy, sustainable food systems, and innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. Since joining the Bank as a Young Professional in 2013, Izabela has also worked extensively in South Asia, as well as in Europe and Central Asia. Prior to joining the Bank, Izabela worked for 5-years in the United Nations focusing her work on post-conflict economic recovery and reconstruction, and on employment creation and income generation. Izabela holds a master’s degree from Pittsburgh State University, USA, focusing on Public Policy, and a Ph.D. from the University of Milan, Italy, focusing on Political Economy.