The Organic Trade Association has expanded its leadership team, adding Ivanna Yang as vice president of government affairs and Matt Landi as vice president of industry relations.
“Bringing these two outstanding and experienced individuals into our leadership team will greatly enhance our work to advocate for organic farmers and businesses, and to better serve our members,” OTA co-CEO Matthew Dillon said in a news release.
OTA said Yang will spearhead its legislative advocacy efforts to achieve organic priorities in appropriations, the farm bill and tax and trade policies. She will work with OTA’s Washington, D.C., coalition partners and other agriculture associations, as well as with lawmakers and policymakers, to advance and grow organic agriculture, the release said.
Yang most recently led the government affairs program for Geno, which focuses on the technology of replacing fossil fuels with plant-based feedstocks to accelerate the transition to sustainable materials. OTA said Yang has been at the forefront of successful and innovative manufacturing and consumer protection campaigns at every level of government.
“I look forward to working with the new Congress and administration to ensure that the organic industry and our members have a seat at the table and a hand in crafting legislation to strengthen and transform our food systems,” Yang said. “As an avid consumer of organic products, I am thrilled to represent an industry that touches many of our lives every day.”
Landi will lead a department that includes membership engagement, events, and membership-related communications and marketing. This will include the team that guides OTA’s sector councils such as Produce, Fiber, Dairy, Grains, Dietary Supplements, and Wine and a new Poultry Council.
“I’m grateful to have found purposeful and fulfilling livelihood in advancing organic agriculture over the last 20-plus years and am honored to take on this new role as part of the amazing OTA team,” Landi said. “There’s no place I’d rather put my energy than working on behalf of the organic trade, and I look forward to serving our incredible community of members and stakeholders.”
Landi has more than two decades of experience in the organic food and agricultural trade in a number of different leadership roles in California, the Pacific Northwest and New England. His career included stints in retail, wholesale distribution, international trade and more. He recently led a regional startup brand in Vermont.
Landi has also served as board chair for the Organic Materials Review Institute and board president for the Sustainable Food Trade Association, the release said.
“Organic is facing many challenges and also opportunities in the coming years. Ivanna’s and Matt’s expertise, along with their proven commitment to organic, will help us meet those challenges and take advantage of the opportunities,” said OTA co-CEO Tom Chapman.
