FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2023
CONTACT
Organic Seed Alliance search committee, edsearch@seedalliance.org, (360) 385-7192
Organic Seed Alliance Launches Search for New Executive Director
Nationwide search for new leadership as the organization turns 20 and enters new growth phase
Port Townsend, WA – Organic Seed Alliance (OSA), an agroecological nonprofit delivering research, education, and advocacy programs to meet farmers’ seed needs, today launched a nationwide search for a collaborative, thoughtful, and forward-thinking Executive Director to lead the organization into its 20th year of putting the power of seed into the hands of growers.
“Working with seed and the people who grow it has been an honor and an inspiration,” said current Executive Director Cara Loriz, who joined the OSA team in 2016 and will retire this autumn. “Organic Seed Alliance is at an exciting juncture as we celebrate 20 years of good seed work and evolve with a newly launched strategic plan. I’m optimistic that new leadership will catalyze the groundwork laid and grow new opportunities to fulfill the promise and potential of organic seed.”
Founded in 2003, OSA’s work promotes an abundant and diverse supply of organic seed, tended in perpetuity by skilled and diverse communities of seed stewards. To advance this mission, we serve growers working with seed across the U.S. through three program areas: 1) collaborative research on crop improvement and seed production for organic systems, 2) education on the agronomic, economic, and socio-political elements of seed work, 3) legal and cultural advocacy toward policies that support organic agriculture and farmers’ rights to save seed.
OSA is seeking a professional passionate about OSA’s mission with demonstrated experience in thoughtful, highly collaborative organizational leadership. Our next Executive Director will bring creativity and forward-thinking as they help shape the next growth phase of Organic Seed Alliance and integrate our new strategic plan into daily action through our programs. The new leader must be committed to advancing equity and accountability goals and initiatives, and be able to guide collaborative decision making with an experienced team. The ideal candidate is a heart-centered leader fervent about building community around organic seed regionally, nationally, and virtually.
OSA is working with 501 Commons, a nonprofit consulting service based in Seattle, Washington, to support a strategic and inclusive, national search process.
“OSA is excited to work with 501 Commons to begin its search for an experienced new leader,” OSA Board President Emily Rose Haga commented. “We’re looking for someone who can continue to grow a legacy of research, education, and advocacy resources that serve the community of organic farmers, seed companies, and plant breeders.” OSA envisions a world in which seed has the potential to grow an equitable, abundant, and resilient future of food. “If you are inspired by this vision and have demonstrated business and management capability, and an interest in strategically and compassionately leading a mature but evolving nonprofit organization into its next phase of growth, we welcome you to get to know us more and apply!”
Applications are being accepted until 5 p.m. Pacific on September 12, 2023. For the job description, application details and more information, visit https://seedalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/OSA-ED-Position-Profile_08-15-2023_FINAL.pdf
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