Rafael Gonzalez is a first-year Master in Public Policy candidate at the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs specializing in agri-food systems. He is particularly interested in how agri-food systems influence economic and societal development.

Prior to Yale, Rafael worked for two United Nations agencies: the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Food Programme. In both roles, he served as an internal consultant where he undertook projects to help these organizations operate more efficiently. His work at the International Atomic Energy Agency included revising the organizations travel policy while his work at the World Food Programme included identifying innovation drivers for smallholder farmers. Prior to his time at these agencies, Rafael spent two years at Boston Consulting Group as a strategy consultant advising businesses and governments on their most difficult problems.

Rafael holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Amherst College and hails from Vancouver, Canada. As an MPP candidate, Rafael hopes to develop the skillset required to make global food systems, more efficient, equitable and sustainable.