Bonn, Germany
August 22, 2005
The World Board of
IFOAM is pleased to announce
the appointment of Angela B. Caudle as Executive Director. Ms.
Caudle will take over the position from Gerald A. Herrmann, the
current IFOAM Executive Director and Vice President, to coincide
with the 15th IFOAM Organic World Congress.
Ms. Caudle is the first woman to lead the organization since its
founding 33 years ago. She has been active in both the US and
international organic industry, furthering the scope and
acceptance of organics. Her practical experience includes living
and working in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. She has
consistently focused on the value of developing beneficial
partnerships and new avenues for organics while maintaining the
core principles and values. Ms. Caudle has previously managed
US-based Quality Certification Services through impressive
growth and expansion and has served as its Director since 2002.
“Angela’s US experience, combined with her knowledge of four
languages and strong managerial skills, make her uniquely
qualified to lead a diverse organic world into a future full of
opportunities,” offers Gunnar Rundgren, IFOAM President.
Gerald A. Herrmann notes “serving as the Executive Director for
this past year has been both a challenge and a pleasure. One of
my key activities during this time was managing the search for a
new Executive Director, and I am satisfied that Ms. Caudle is
the right person for the job.”
At its July meeting in Bonn, Germany, the World Board
unanimously approved the appointment of Ms. Caudle. She will be
based at the IFOAM headquarters in Bonn, Germany as of September
15, 2005, and will be attending the 15th IFOAM Organic World
Congress and General Assembly in Adelaide. She looks forward to
interacting with many of the members and supporting
institutions, stating, “I strongly believe that an active
membership is the key to IFOAM’s success and I intend to ensure
open channels for discourse around the current and developing
issues in organics.”
Ms. Caudle recognizes the significance of strengthening
international partnerships for the continuous and robust growth
of the organic sector. “Increasingly, international networks,
the United Nations and intergovernmental agencies are
recognizing the importance of organic agriculture for achieving
social and environmental sustainability. By creating and
expanding such institutional partnerships, IFOAM will be in a
position to further the development of organic agriculture
worldwide, particularly in developing countries.”
Currently, the North American market for organic products is the
world’s largest and growing fast. Ms. Caudle sees its increased
involvement in the global organic movement as a high priority.
“Clearly, a robust and united organic sector is a prerequisite
to achieve the mission of IFOAM. Just over 7% of IFOAM’s
membership comes from North America. Encouraging the
participation of the North American organic sector in IFOAM will
significantly vitalize and empower the movement as a whole.”
On research and communicating the benefits of organic
agriculture, Ms. Caudle asserts “study after study confirms the
benefits of organic farming for both people and the environment.
Better coordination of research and the effective dissemination
of results to the consumer will fill the knowledge gap and help
organic to capture more mainstream markets.” |