Heifer Board of Directors

Ladislav Hetényi, Nitra, Slovakia

Ladislav is an At-Large director representing the Central Eastern Europe region.

Currently the Deputy Director of the Research Institute for Animal Production in Slovakia, Ladislav is responsible for research involving animal genetics, reproduction, nutrition, biotechnology, technology, farming and quality of products. His expertise includes animal breeding, animal genetics and bioethics. Previous to his post as Deputy Director, Ladislav served the Institute as Managing Director for 13 years, as head of the Genetic Department, as Deputy of Pig Breeding Department and as research worker.

Ladislav has served as a Board member of the Slovak Agricultural and Food Chamber, a Board member of the Regional Agricultural and Food Chamber, and a member of the Central Selection Commission of Slovak Republic. He has also held the position of Head of the Slovak Grant Commission for Animal Production and advisor of the Minister of Education for education in agricultural and forestry.   

His international activities include posts as the Slovak National Coordinator of the European Association of Animal Production, and Representative of the Slovak Republic in the task force European Roundtable of Animal Production East-West Europe. He adds to his experience the position of Vice President of the Scientific European Association of Animal Production, Rome, Italy; Slovakia representative of the international humanitarian organization VISAGE; national coordinator of animal genetic resources to FAO – Rome; and national coordinator of Common Research Programme to OECD – Paris.

Born in Nitra, Slovakia, Ladislav earned bachelor and master’s degrees from the University of Agriculture Nitra and went on to earn a Doctorate in Animal Production. He has been a lecturer and supervisor of undergraduate students at the University of Agriculture Nitra, in addition to being a supervisor of postgraduate doctoral study in animal production at the same university. He has worked as both a professor and associate professor. He resides in Nitra with his wife and daughter.