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‘Organic’ group welcomes new executive director

March 8, 2016  By Dave Harrison



March 8, 2016, Ottawa — Tia Loftsgard has been appointed executive director of The Canada Organic Trade Association, effective March 21.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Tia to COTA in her role as executive director, a position that is critical to providing leadership for Canada’s rapidly growing organic sector,” said COTA board president Dag Falck.

“Organic in Canada continues to have the momentum of strong consumer demand, but faces the challenges of increasing domestic supply, building on our success in international markets, and representing our needs to the new federal government.”

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Loftsgard is an established non-profit manager with leadership experience in the fair trade and cooperative movements in both Canada and the U.S., and co-founder of a pioneering Canadian organic and fair trade food brand.

Her familiarity with international policy and standards-development, her deep connections within the supply chain and marketplace, and her strong reputation as a communicator and community-builder made her the ideal candidate for the role, and the unanimous choice of the COTA board succession committee.

“I know the organic sector well, and am really looking forward to meeting more of our diverse members, partners and stakeholders so we can plan the next stage for organic in Canada together,” said Loftsgard.

“I’m passionate about organic, about the impact our food and farming has on our health and environment, and making sure our sector has a strong professional voice in Ottawa.”

Loftsgard replaces Matthew Holmes, COTA’s founding executive director who left the role in January after nine years with the association. Holmes has been serving as a consultant to COTA’s board during the hiring process and will continue as an advisor to Loftsgard through the leadership transition.


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