CAE Team Members
Meet the team dedicated to bringing Liberia to greater heights by deepening its roots.
David Taigbailee
Executive Director
David G. Taigbailee is an experienced agricultural professional, educator, project manager, and educational administrator with more than fifteen years of professional experience in agriculture, teacher education, research, community development, and institutional management. He possesses extensive expertise in agronomy, plant breeding and genetics, curriculum development, project implementation, and capacity building for rural communities.
He has served in several leadership positions, including Executive Director of the Consortium of Agricultural Experts (CAE), Executive Director of the Agricultural Research Consortium (ARC), Country Coordinator, William R. Tolbert High School Vocational Training Center. Registrar of the B-Certificate Program at Kakata Rural Teacher Training Institute, and Natural Science Specialist under the Ministry of Education's Teacher Training Program. His work has involved supervising educational programs, managing agricultural development projects, training teachers, coordinating stakeholder engagement, and supporting community-based agricultural initiatives. In addition, he has lectured at higher education institutions, including Adventist University of West Africa, and has worked extensively with farmers, educational institutions, government agencies, NGOs, and international development partners to promote sustainable agriculture and quality education in Liberia.
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Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Cuttington University Graduate School of Professional Studies
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Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) – Cuttington University, Graduate School of Professional Studies
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Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Agriculture (Plant Breeding and Genetics) – China Agricultural University, People's Republic of China
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Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in General Agriculture – University of Liberia, William R. Tolbert College of Agriculture and Forestry
Kangoma Turay
Administrative Director
BIO COMING SOON
Sandy Ferrell
Supporting Strategist
For 38 years, I've been in the business of growing things that matter — first as a high school biology and environmental education teacher, then as a principal for 14 years. I hold a Bachelor's in Special Education K-12 and a Master's in Education with an administrative endorsement, and my work has been recognized with honors including Utah State Environmental Science Teacher of the Year, Utah State Biology Teacher of the Year, and Utah State Middle School Principal of the Year, along with more than seven grants including the Honda Foundation and Utah Digital Teaching and Learning grants.
That background isn't in agriculture — but it's a background in cultivation, of curiosity, leadership, and communities that care for each other and the land they stand on. I'm in the business of hope.
Amara B. Konneh
Lead Agronomist
I am a prospective graduate in Agronomy with a strong interest in sustainable agriculture, food security, and community development. My academic journey has focused on understanding crop production, soil management, and innovative farming practices that can improve agricultural productivity. I am passionate about using agricultural knowledge to support farmers and contribute to the development of resilient food systems. I believe that collaboration, innovation, and community engagement are essential for solving real-world challenges, and I am excited to contribute to a project that promotes positive change.
Finance Officer
Emmanuel Junior Kolleh is a Liberian agricultural and business professional with experience in farm management, financial administration, teaching, agricultural research, digital data collection, and community development. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AgriHaven Liberia Inc., where he promotes sustainable agriculture, food security, and opportunities for women and young people.
Emmanuel currently works as a Financial Controller at Starz University, CAE, and serves as a Lecturer and Farm Coordinator at Apex University of Liberia.
Emmanuel has also supported agricultural research and field assignments involving CARI (Center for Agricultural Research Center), the Ministry of Agriculture, AfricaRice, WorldFish, and Solidaridad Liberia Network.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in General Agriculture and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Agricultural Economics at Stella Maris Polytechnic University and pursuing Applied Business Management through Brigham Young University. Emmanuel's professional interests include agribusiness development, agricultural economics, financial management, youth empowerment, and climate-smart agriculture.
Emmanuel Junior Kolleh
John Q. Marley
Training Director
An expert in animal husbandry, John Marley directly supports the vision, mission and goal of CAE. Strengthening local production of fresh meat and eggs straight from the farm to consumer reduces importing of frozen pork and poultry, strengthening Liberia's internal ecosystem, improving nutrition, and providing opportunity for income and skills training.
Mr. Marley provides hands-on training in poultry and livestock management, including housing, feeding, breed and disease control. He further integrates an integrated systems approach to farming into his teaching by training farmers how to use animal manure as a natural fertilizer to improve soil fertility for rice, cassava, and vegetable production.
John keeps a special focus on training youth and emerging farmers, and encouraging and supporting women's involvement in livestock production and management. His systems approach, linking livestock to crop production, allows for solid foundations of self-reliance and value-capture for farming businesses.
John holds certifications in animal husbandry from the Ministry of Youth and Sports Collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Youth Agricultural Training Center (YATC).
Project Manager
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Kaibeh Williams
Systems &
Development
Officer
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Sabina Benaiah
Branda K. Tokpah
Plant Pathogist
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Nelson Vleyee Torh
Grand Gedeh County Lead: Cacao
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Thomas Wesseh Nimley
Finance Officer:
Cacao
Thomas Wesseh Nimley serves as Finance Officer at Canopy Cacao Liberia, where he supports financial management and sustainability business growth. Prior to this role, he served as Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director of Agrifore Advisory & Investment Services Inc., contributing to budgeting, financial record keeping systems, payroll management, and operational reporting. With a background in Civil Engineering, he brings analytical thinking, financial discipline, and a commitment to support sustainable growth in Liberia’s cocoa sector.
Thomas is currently pursing studies in Accounting and Applied Business Management through BYU-Pathway Worldwide. Driven by a passion for financial stewardship and organization excellence, he aspires to earn a Master of Accountancy (MAcc), a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and the Certified Public Account (CPA) designation.
He believes agriculture is Liberia’s most powerful engine for stability, inclusive prosperity, and national development. He sees the sector as the clearest path to food security, food sovereignty, and economic transformation. He is committed to strengthening financial and other systems that empower farmers, create opportunities for rural communities, and contribute to Liberia’s long-term growth.