US Board of Directors

Chair: Dean DeCrease is a food & agriculture specialist with leadership and entrepreneurial experience in food & beverage products, restaurants, grocery retail and food packaging. His sustainability journey began when he founded and led Weyerhaeuser’s first global sustainability office in Geneva in 1993 and helped develop the Forest Stewardship Council’s implementation process for certifying sustainable forest products. Dean has lived and worked in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Vice Chair: Andy Beck is a business professional and ecologist working to build sustainable supply chains for tree crops and other non-timber forest products, with a focus on cooperative modes of production and fair prices. He has worked with smallholder farmers and gatherers across multiple continents and most recently led sourcing for the chocolate company Hu Kitchen, through and beyond its acquisition by Mondelez International in 2021. He holds masters degrees in Forestry and Business and a BA, all from Yale University; he also sits on the Board of Directors of the Amazon Conservation Association

Treasurer: Charis Smith is a sustainability and collaboration professional, providing consulting services and coaching for people and organizations that seek to make the world a more sustainable and equitable place. Charis brings nearly 15 years of experience serving in a variety of roles within organic retail and innovation networks, regularly engaging with leaders across the agricultural supply chain. She is currently working on a project for Regenerative Farms, a global non-profit organization dedicated to uplifting women and indigenous farming communities through regenerative agriculture and value-added, on-site processing hubs designed to meet a number of economic, social and environmental goals.

Secretary: Troy Pearley is the EVP and General Manager, USA of Divine Chocolate and has served on their Board of Directors.  He previously worked at  Godiva, Ghirardelli, Odwalla, Pepperidge Farm, and Ralston Purina.  He received Sales Person of the Year award at Ghirardelli and is currently a Chocolate Council member of the National Confectioners Association (NCA).

Dan Arnett is the General Manager of the Chicago Market Cooperative. He is also a Graduate Program Adjunct Professor at the Presidio Graduate School. Dan has served on the board of the National Co+op Grocers Association, bringing a wealth of experience in co-op management. Dan holds a Master of Management in Cooperatives and Credit Unions from Saint Mary’s University.

Julia Knott is a fractional CMO and marketing advisor for mission-led food and beverage brands. She started her career at Equal Exchange and went on to lead marketing at Stonyfield, Tea Forte, and Ithaca Hummus before advising dozens of high-growth startups. Julia is known for bringing “big company” shopper marketing expertise into entrepreneurial environments—developing retailer programs, sell-in strategies, and velocity-driving activations that help emerging brands punch above their weight.

Carlos Reynoso is the General Manager of Manos Campesinas, a coffee cooperative in Guatemala. He has held various positions representing producers.

Sophie Waskow Rifkin has worked in the corporate sustainability field for over 17 years. Currently she is the Director of Impact Innovation & Analytics at Chobani where she focuses on building programs to address hunger and food insecurity. Previously she led sustainability at the food company Banza, and held senior-level positions at the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business where she helped to launch the center, built thought leadership and engagement programs. She holds an MPA in sustainability management from George Washington University, and an A.B. in English from Brown University.

Jenny Roberts has spent her career dedicated to building a more just and sustainable world, through market based approaches to development.  She currently serves as Senior Director of Sustainability and Procurement at CAVA - a progressive Mediterranean national chain that seeks to make food a force for good. Previously, she has supported companies to convert their supply chains to more ethical and environmental practices over her 20 years in international development, sustainable sourcing and microfinance, including her work to help establish the first Fair Trade microfinance loans through Kiva.org. Jenny Roberts received her dual degree from NYU Stern (MBA) and NYU Wagner (MPA).  She has an undergraduate degree in Spanish and International Business from Georgetown University.