Willem’s tenure as CEO with Chayton Africa, an African farming enterprise in which Zeder invested, gave him first-hand experience in leading a large African operational agribusiness. In 2015, Willem lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he helped start the African Agribusiness Knowledge and Innovation Leadership Initiative. In collaboration with faculty and students of the MIT and Harvard, Willem researched models of African agribusiness, drawing from his experience from working in investment and operational sectors in Africa. Willem holds a Bachelor’s degree in Investment Management from the University of Stellenbosch and a Master’s degree in Finance from the University of Cape Town. Willem and his wife, Nicola, live in Cape Town, South Africa.