Celebrating Dieter Schillinger

Dieter, thank you immensely for all the rich experience, wise guidance and insights you have brought to ILRI as a board member and as DDG. It has been a real pleasure to work with you and to enjoy your wonderful humor. Wishing you and Anna all the very, very best!  

Dieter – many thanks for your valuable contributions to ILRI at large and the Institute Management Committee in particular. Special thanks for helping ILRI to organize its work around product lines within programs. We are now able to communicate the focus of our work better. All the best to you and Anna as you transition to another season of your lives. 

Dieter managed to seamlessly make the change from a Board member to an employee. He fitted in easily with other staff members and we forgot that he was previously on the Board. He has his own unique kind of humor that helped with this transition. In his interactions at IMC meetings, it is clear that he is a well- seasoned professional in his field, who is always ready to share his experiences. We expect that he will continue to share that experience and knowledge as an ambassador of ILRI, and to continue contributing to the livestock agenda wherever he goes. 

Dieter, it has been a pleasure working with you as my 'fellow DDG' in ILRI. I think we made a good team. I also really appreciate being a member of IMC with you. You brought a different perspective to the discussions, especially from your experience in the private sector which was of great benefit to ILRI. I really learned a lot from you. Of course, I also remember your time on the Board where you also contributed so much to ILRI. One of my abiding memories was the night in the Zebu Club in Addis during a Board Meeting when we undertook quality control testing of some of the new Ethiopian wines! I wish Anna and you a long and happy retirement with more time to spend with your family. 

Dieter has been a dedicated ILRI board member, staff, and ally for the majority of his career. I hope that he will continue to support ILRI into his retirement and return often to one of our campuses.