Everyone is seeking a sense of higher purpose. Sometimes that means greater responsibility at work. Sometimes it means growing and nurturing family. Sometimes it means helping the less fortunate by supporting a philanthropy or volunteering at a homeless shelter. A higher purpose is invigorating. It makes us feel more alive. I feel most alive when I am leading teams on international development programs. Making a difference in the lives of beneficiaries, mentoring staff, connecting and working with local stakeholders… these are a few of the things that give me a sense of higher purpose. I grew up in production agriculture. I was competitive in a range of sports from football to rodeo, but baseball was my first love. I learned to play guitar and became a closeted folk singer. I became a scuba diver involved in coral restoration projects. I enjoy coaching and promoting youth baseball.I studied agricultural economics, and I have a PhD that includes climate change and conservation. When I first applied my agricultural experience and training internationally, I was hooked. As I grew as a leader in the field, I began to find my higher purpose. I have worked in Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Improved livelihoods, increased resilience, and food security for all are the objectives. My proudest professional accomplishment to date was in the remote jungle of DR Congo, where I led a team in constructing a 35 hectare farm, and trained a team of 100 soldiers in operating and maintaining the farm. We put in place a livestock monetization program to fund farming activities and make the farm operationally self-sufficient. The soldiers turned into agricultural extension agents, and the entire community benefited through increased incomes and improved food security. We all found our higher purpose. For that I will be forever grateful.I am always looking to expand my professional and personal networks. Feel free to contact me directly via Linkedin or at my personal email address: adhale@gmail.com