Uma Lele, MS '63 and PhD '65, is an international expert in international economic development. She is one of the foremost economists in developing understanding of the complex interactions among agricultural policy, agricultural growth and equity as they collectively influence the pace and pattern of development. She is well known for her policy work and leadership in international development, especially for building consensus on sensitive issues.

She has authored or co-authored 15 books or book length manuscripts and 100 articles, encompassing South and Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Latin America.

The first woman to be awarded a PhD in agricultural economics at Cornell in 1965, she served as a research fellow and visiting professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and joined the World Bank  in 1971 where she occupied several positions in the research and operational parts of the Bank.

Lele moved to the University of Florida in 1990 as Graduate Research Professor and served as the founding director of International Studies and Programs of the Universities 16 colleges. In 1993-94, also served as the first director of President Carter's Global Development Initiative at the Carter Center. She returned to the World Bank in 1995 and served as Senior Advisor in the World Bank's Independent Evaluation Group.  She retired from the World Bank in 2005.

Lele co-chaired (with Dr. Ronnie Coffman of Cornell University) the International Task Force of agricultural scientists that led to the GREAN (Global Research on the Environmental and Agricultural Nexus) Initiative. Designed as an international competitive grants program, its purpose was to bring the best of agricultural science from the land grant universities of the United States to the CGIAR centers and developing countries through collaborative partnerships to address the pressing problems of food, agriculture and the environment. Lele was the heart and soul behind the proposal for collaborative research which was put into practice by EMPRAPA, Brazil's national agricultural research organization, an effort supported by the World Bank under her leadership.

Lele has led several influential evaluations of the World Bank's policies and programs including of its forest strategy, the CGIAR and its global program portfolio, including programs in the areas of Global Health, International Financial Stability, Trade and environment. She co-chaired an international taskforce of the China Council of International Environment and Development in 2002-2003.

She continues to conduct advisory activities for the World Bank and other international organizations, e.g. as panel member of the external independent evaluation of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, the World Bank's forest related climate change initiatives and the strategy for the control of tuberculosis in Africa.

Lele has been a member of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Association, as well as the President's Council of Cornell Women. She was the first woman from a developing country to be elected Fellow of the American Agricultural Economics Association. Among her many honors include being made fellow of India's National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and "Outstanding Scientist" by the American Association of Agricultural Scientists of India Origin.

Lele has brought distinction to the College through her scholarship and dedication to the priciples of excellence in teaching, research, outreach and service for the global good. She has volunteered her time as a member of the board of directors for EngenderHealth, the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex, the Global Water Partnership, the McArthur Foundation, and the World Food Prize. She served as member of the founding board of the Center for International Forestry Research and later of the CGIAR's Technical Advisory Committee, now called the Science Council.

Lele recently commenced philanthropic activities in India to empower girl children and women living in poverty

Lele is a 'citizen of the world' whose accomplishments over the last 36 years in support of international agriculture are truly astounding. Her scholarship coupled with her courage to question accepted paradigms and put forth innovative new approaches have made a major contribution to policy and practice in international development. Her knowledge and judgment are valued and sought after by students and leaders alike.

Lele lives in Washington, D.C. She likes music, cooking, sailing, and exploring the world. She has a son, Abhijeet Lele, Cornell MBA '89 and twin grand children. She has family and friends throughout the world.