FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2025
CONTACT
Aba Kiser, Assistant Director of Outreach, aba@seedalliance.org
Seasons of Growth: Welcoming Executive Director Dr. Cathleen McCluskey
Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) is excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Cathleen McCluskey as its new Executive Director, effective November 3rd. Cathleen brings over 20 years of invaluable experience in seed systems, including serving in a number of positions with OSA since 2010, most recently as Policy and Advocacy Director.
“[We] have entered a new season of growth,” shares Board President, Benjamin Uchitelle-Pierce. “Over the past several years, OSA has expanded its impact, strengthened partnerships, and deepened its service to the farmers, researchers, and educators who depend on organic seed. With Cathleen transitioning into the role of Executive Director, we see an opportunity to build on this momentum and continue strengthening the organization and supporting the people who make it thrive. Her vision, skill, and leadership, together with the dedication and creativity of the entire OSA team, will guide our continued evolution and deepen our impact in communities across the organic seed movement. I believe Cathleen’s leadership will help OSA to flourish in new ways, nurturing both the people and partnerships that sustain our mission.”
Edward Johnson, Board Secretary, adds, “Cathleen brings a remarkable blend of vision, humility, and purpose to her leadership at OSA. I’ve seen her dedication to putting the power of seed into the hands of growers and strengthening the communities that sustain this work. Her transition into the Executive Director role is a powerful moment for OSA and the broader organic seed movement.”
Cathleen holds a PhD in Environment and Resources and an MS in Agroecology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and currently serves on the National Organic Standards Board. She is an interdisciplinarian, and her research on the ways in which context influences the relationship between humans and seed has informed OSA’s work during her tenure.
Cathleen’s expertise and leadership skills now position her to guide the organization in further stewarding equitable, inclusive programs rooted in participatory methodologies and aimed at putting the power of seed in the hands of growers.
“It is an honor to be taking on the position of Executive Director with Organic Seed Alliance,” Cathleen says. “The knowledge I’ve gained and the relationships I’ve made throughout my time working with OSA’s seed communities – alongside growers, researchers, artists, and policy specialists – have helped to shape me professionally and personally. I am excited to step into this role and lead the visioning and continued evolution of OSA’s work to co-create a world in which seed grows an equitable, abundant, and resilient future of food and fiber for all.”
OSA’s longtime Research and Education Director, Jared Zystro, offers, “For 15 years I’ve watched Cathleen pair rigorous scholarship with practical action for growers. She defends farmers’ rights to save seed while building the relationships and policies that make resilient seed systems real. OSA is in steady, visionary hands and I’m proud to celebrate her as our next Executive Director.”
Cathleen steps into the executive director role after her predecessor, Dr. Laurajean Lewis, accepted the position of Director of the Genetic Resources Program at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Mexico, and transitioned out of her role last month. Benjamin shares, “[We] want to take a moment to honor Laurajean for her outstanding leadership and the steady guidance she provided over the past several years. Her transition to a new role with CIMMYT is a wonderful opportunity for her to continue advancing sustainable agriculture and food systems. As we reflect on this leadership transition at OSA, I am reminded that growing seed takes many hands and seasons of care, each building on the work that came before. In that same spirit, OSA will continue to live out the meaning of its name: an alliance of people and partners working together. Our strength lies in the connections we cultivate, weaving together growers, researchers, educators, and advocates who are shaping a thriving future for organic seed.”
