We are delighted to share some exciting news about staff changes here at Organic Seed Alliance. As we continue to grow and evolve in our mission to put the power of seed into the hands of growers, we are thrilled to welcome new members to our team. In addition to these new staff announcements, we welcomed our new Executive Director Laura Lewis earlier this year.
Growing the OSA Team
Kiki Elfendahl, Finance Manager
Joining the OSA team is our new Finance Manager Kiki Elfendahl. Kiki has a strong background in operational logistics and financial management, having worked with a local Black-led nonprofit where she helped grow the organization from a $200,000 annual budget to $5 million. Her dedication to financial sustainability and community empowerment will be invaluable to OSA. Kiki’s passion for disrupting systemic inequities and her commitment to organic food bring strength to our organizational values, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the team.
Transitioning Roles
In addition to welcoming new team members, we are also celebrating the growth and evolution of our existing staff.
Cathleen McCluskey, Advocacy & Communications Director
Cathleen McCluskey, previously OSA’s Outreach Director, has transitioned to the role of Advocacy & Communications Director. Cathleen leads our legal and cultural advocacy work, developing policies that support organic agriculture and farmers’ rights to save seed. With a recent Ph.D. in Environment and Resources from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Cathleen’s expertise in seed systems and policy initiatives will continue to drive OSA’s impactful work forward. She successfully defended her dissertation titled When data is missing by design: Perceptions and public research on standing genetic diversity of maize in the Upper Midwest, highlighting her dedication to understanding and promoting agricultural biodiversity along with the democratization of science and knowledge. Congratulations, Cathleen!
Jasmine Sarp, Communications & Outreach Associate
Jasmine Sarp, previously our Research & Education Assistant, has stepped into the role of Communications & Outreach Associate. With a background in graphic design and agroecology, Jasmine brings a unique skill set to her work connecting growers with OSA’s resources. Her focus on community resilience and food sovereignty aligns with OSA’s mission, and we are excited to see her thrive in this new role.
Looking Ahead
As we embark on the next 20 years at OSA, we are filled with optimism and enthusiasm for the future. We are grateful for your ongoing support of Organic Seed Alliance and invite you to join us in welcoming our new team members and congratulating those transitioning to new roles.
