During the ISF President’s Dinner at the World Seed Congress 2026 in Lisbon, outgoing ISF President Arthur Santosh Attavar announced two new ISF Honorary Lifetime Members: Dr. Lukeshni Chetty, General Manager of the South African National Seed Organisation (SANSOR), and Mario Schindler, Executive Director and National Secretary of the Chilean Seed Trade Association, ANPROS.
Honorary Lifetime Membership is one of the highest distinctions awarded by the ISF President. It recognizes individuals who have made outstanding and sustained contributions to advancing ISF’s mission and vision, and whose leadership has strengthened the global seed sector through service, collaboration, and commitment.
Advancing science, policy, and seed sector development
Dr. Lukeshni Chetty has served as General Manager of SANSOR since 2012, leading the organization’s strategic work in areas including seed sector capacity development, intellectual property protection, and policy development that supports innovation and global seed movement. With a Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of the Free State, she brings strong scientific expertise to her leadership role. Before joining SANSOR, she served as Deputy Director for GMO Monitoring and Research at the South African National Biodiversity Institute, where she helped develop South Africa’s first national post-commercial monitoring framework for GMO maize.
Through her work, Dr. Chetty has represented the South African seed industry nationally and internationally on matters related to seed trade, innovation, and sector development. She also serves on the boards of the South African Cultivar and Technology Agency and the International Seed Federation, and is Deputy Chairperson of the Agricultural Business Chamber Steerco.
Strengthening Chile’s role in the international seed sector
Mario Schindler has served as Executive Director and National Secretary of ANPROS since 2003. In this role, he has led the association’s administration, financial management, member relations, and implementation of Board decisions, while promoting the interests of Chile’s seed sector in national and international seed industry organizations.
An agronomist from the Universidad Católica de Chile, Mr. Schindler has built a long career in agriculture and seed. Before joining ANPROS, he worked as a partner and consultant managing research and agricultural projects and held leadership responsibilities in sales, technical assistance, and seed production. His decades of experience have strengthened Chile’s position in the international seed market and expanded opportunities for the country’s seed sector.
Building a more connected and resilient seed community
Their recognition in Lisbon reflects not only their individual achievements but also the importance of dedicated national and regional leadership in advancing ISF’s work worldwide. As the seed sector responds to complex global challenges, from climate change and trade disruption to innovation, regulation, and sustainability, strong collaboration across countries and institutions remains essential.
By naming Dr. Lukeshni Chetty and Mario Schindler as Honorary Lifetime Members, ISF celebrates their long-standing commitment to the seed sector and their contributions to building a more connected, resilient, and forward-looking global seed community.#
