b'SAA AND BEYOND: Q&A WITH ANGEL SAAVEDRAAngel Saavedra, newly elected president of the Seed Association of the Americas (SAA), shares his insights into SAA and the global seed industry with Seed World.Seed World (SW): What prepared you to take on this leadership role at SAA?Angel Saavedra (AS): Talking with leaders of several national seed associations and seed regulatory authori-ties from many countries in the Americas helped me to be prepared for this leadership role. However, I could say that we are never well-prepared for this kind of responsibility. I have four years of experience as president of the Mexican Seed Trade Association (AMSAC), where I learned many aspects of the seed business, from breeding and production to the distribution. I come from the regulatory side of seeds and crop protection with 29 years of experience. This experience taught me that I still need to learn more from all of the national seed associations in North and South America, who are the SAA main pillars. Nevertheless, Im able to understand the main needs and be part of the solutions that this great association might have for them. Also, the support of the company I work with, Corteva.SW: What is the main goal you have set out to achieve as president of SAA?AS: We would love to have an organization that can bring solutions to the national seed associations and its members (seed companies) with the main issues that affect them. Together, with the board members and SAA staff, we work towards the recognition of SAA as the voice of 4/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEED ASSOCIATION OF THE AMERICAS 2022'