Sarah Gorman | International Programs Manager | Organic Trade Association
Sarah Gorman is the International Trade Manager for Organic Trade Association, routinely leading OTA’s member organizations through a variety of global logistics & customs compliance and facilitating opportunities for international negotiations.
Chris Anderson | Senior Trade Advisor | Sustainable Strategies Advisors
Chris Anderson is a lifelong organic foods activist passionate about food and organic agriculture. This passion began at a young age as he and his family sat around the dinner table discussing the daily challenges of operating America’s original organic farm, Walnut Acres. The business grew rapidly from a small family farm into an iconic organic food brand, ultimately influencing US agricultural policy and national organic standards.
Chris’ work in the organic industry continues today as President of Sustainable Strategies and Senior Trade Advisor for the Organic Trade Association. He routinely advises world governments and corporations on navigating global organic standards to expand international trade opportunities. He has participated in the GAP analysis and strategic planning for each of the current US organic equivalency agreements, including those with the EU and Canada.. Chris has represented the organic industry through numerous speaking engagements, including at Natural Products Expo, Biofach, and Gulfood.
Outside of work, Chris and his family are passionate eaters and travelers currently on a quest to see all 7 Wonders of the World and experience the local foods of every region. Additionally, Chris serves on the Board of Directors at the Walnut Acres Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to fight food insecurity, educate a new generation of consumers about sustainable organic foods, and preserve his family’s legacy and contributions to the organic movement.
Jan Plagge | President | Bioland & IFOAM Organics Europe
Jan Plagge (* 1971) studied horticulture at the Technical University of Munich. In 1993 he converted his parents farm to organic farming and worked from 1997 to 2000 as a consultant for organic farming and horticulture in East Germany and from 1999 as the agricultural-political spokesman for the organic associations in Berlin / Brandenburg. From 2000 to 2008 he was managing director of the Bioland Advisory Service. In 2008 Jan Plagge took over the management of Bioland Beratung GmbH, where he set up a nationwide advisory and training program for Bioland and its cooperation partners, and became a board member at FiBL (Research Institute for Organic Agriculture). In 2011 he was elected President of Bioland, a german/italien association with 10.000 members. From 2002 to 2011 Jan Plagge was also head of the organic farming trainee program, the nationwide program for young people in the organic sector as part of the Federal Organic Farming Program (BÖLN). At the European level, he was elected Vice President in 2016 and President of IFOAM Organics Europe (then called IFOAM EU) in May 2018. In summer 2023, he was reelected again in this position.
Tia Loftsgard | Executive Director | Canada Organic Trade Association
Tia is the Executive Director of the Canada Organic Trade Association. With extensive experience working in the organic food industry, Tia co-founded Camino (La Siembra Co-operative) in 1999, going on to become the organic and Fairtrade cocoa company’s Director of Sales until 2009, when she joined Fairtrade Canada. As its Business Development and Licensing Director, she led strategy, building the not-for-profit’s membership base and encouraging sustainable & ethical sourcing standards. In 2013, she moved over to Fairtrade America, where as its Chief Operating Officer, she successfully developed advocacy initiatives and grew U.S. market opportunities for small farmers via the Fairtrade model. Tia joined COTA as the Executive Director in March 2016.