Nyon, Switzerland (March 31, 2025) - The International Seed Federation (ISF) announced that Lorelei Garagancea will join the Secretariat as Intellectual Property and Legal Affairs Manager starting April 1. In this role, Garagancea will lead the ISF Coordination Groups on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Engagement against Illegal Seed Practices.
Garagancea brings a dynamic blend of global legal expertise, a passion for innovation, and a deep belief in equitable access — making her a valuable addition to the ISF team.
With a strong academic foundation from institutions across Europe — including Paris-Sorbonne University, University of Bucharest, University of Geneva, and an LL.M. in International Contracts and Arbitration from the University of Fribourg — Garagancea has cultivated a robust legal background in intellectual property, life sciences, and international trade law.
Her professional journey began at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva in 2015, where she was an intern and led the Intern Board to secure fair compensation for interns — an experience that shaped her approach to advocacy, equity, and leadership. She later deepened her expertise at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), focusing on genetic resources in life sciences, before serving as legal counsel to international organizations such as Procter & Gamble International Operations, Medicines for Malaria Venture, and Veristat.
Over the past three years, Garagancea has expanded her focus through doctoral research, exploring how the World Trade Organization (WTO) law balances the protection of intellectual property with the obligation to ensure access — an issue of great relevance to the evolving global seed landscape.
Garagancea's interest in intellectual property is, arguably, philosophical: “IP rewards creations of the mind. It entices individuals to express themselves and develop a better world. Of course, this only works if there is fair sharing of these developments in a sustainable way.”
Her approach is informed not only by legal precision but by human insight. “Anything can be solved through listening, understanding, and perseverance,” she reflects — wisdom gained from advocating for inclusive systems and navigating complex multicultural legal environments.
Outside the office, Garagancea is a creative spirit and nature enthusiast. She finds calm and clarity in painting, which helps her refocus, and draws energy from outdoor sports like snowboarding and horseback riding. “There are no secrets with a horse,” she says. “They reflect what you bring,” which reminds her that “the ability to see reality as it is is also our opportunity to improve it.”