Global Affairs Canada
Deputy Director of Food Systems Practice
Dr. Nikita Eriksen-Hamel is Deputy Director of Food Systems Practice in the Food Systems and Nutrition Division of Global Affairs Canada. He leads a team of policy analysts and technical specialists who provide strategic, policy and technical advice to the Department’s agri-food systems and nutrition programs and leads Canada’s engagement in many multilateral and global policy fora. In this role he has contributed to defining the strategic direction of Canada’s agriculture and food systems portfolio for the past 17 years, including providing technical support to over 500 agri-food projects. He has had extensive field experience having worked and supported projects in over 30 countries, including being responsible for opening up Canada’s diplomatic mission in Cotonou, Benin. In 2025 he is chairing the G7 Food Systems Working Group and Canada’s lead negotiator on the G20 Task Force for Food Security. Nikita has a background in environmental engineering, ecological agriculture and soil science from the University of Waterloo, Wageningen University and McGill University.