Pictured: Members of the Fair Trade USA team at the Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, CA
When you give to Fair Trade USA, you directly support the people creating change on the ground. 100% of your gift strengthens Producer Services that help workers and farmers lead democratic committees, build long-term systems for improvement, and bring life-changing projects to their communities.
We asked members of our global team to share their experiences, what inspires them, and what becomes possible when you donate to our mission.
These are their stories:
Meet the Team
Ximena Ganchala — Senior Manager, Impact & Strategic Projects
Ximena brings producer voices to the forefront by designing new ways to collect real, meaningful stories from the field.
“Through my work, I help ensure that the voices and experiences of producers are authentically represented in how we measure and communicate impact.”
Milena Tomas — Manager & Field Advisor, Producer Services
Milena works directly with producers, workers, and fishers, helping them turn Fair Trade standards into tangible progress.
“My team and I bridge the gap between standards and real-world results. We help communities not only understand what’s behind each criterion but also believe in the purpose of Fair Trade — human and environmental care and collectivism.”
Tam Dao — Field Advisor
Tam supports factory partners in Vietnam as they apply standards and build Fair Trade Committees for workers to create real, lasting change in their communities.
“What I love most about my role is seeing workers gain confidence in their voices and watching their ideas turn into meaningful projects that improve their lives and communities.”
Jenifer Jackson — Director, Strategic Coordination Unit
Jenifer strengthens Fair Trade USA’s Program Development & Operations team by driving alignment within PDO, providing cross-functional technical support, and advancing innovation across the organization.
“Through the Strategic Coordination Unit, I help minimize distractions for our operational teams by funneling requests and coordinating support, so we can work more efficiently and deliver on our goal of operational excellence.”
What Inspires Us
“It’s inspiring to know that my daily work reaches people around the world. The impact becomes real when I meet someone whose life has changed for the better as a result of the Fair Trade community.
I’ll never forget meeting Otávio, a neurodivergent 4 year old boy from Goiás, Brazil. His family received support through Fair Trade Community Development Funds, and I had only seen him in a video. When the Fair Trade Committee brought him to meet me in person during a training, my heart burst with joy. That moment reminded me that behind every number and report, there are humans, stories, and hope.”
“What inspires me most is hearing directly from farmers and workers whose lives are connected to Fair Trade. Their stories, whether joyful or challenging, reveal the strength that comes from working together. One story that deeply moved me is about a cooperative where is possible to find up to three generations of women of the same family cultivating coffee.
They share how being part of an organized group has transformed their lives, and how working collectively opens access to opportunities, strengthens their voices, and builds recognition for their work. That shared purpose and solidarity are at the heart of Fair Trade’s mission.”
I love that I’m always learning new things. A couple of weeks ago, I joined the Business Development team for a meeting with Costco’s Sustainability team. They wanted to better understand what it takes to implement Fair Trade on the ground and how their contributions drive real impact. We had a great conversation about how Fair Trade supports Costco’s CSR goals, and we were able to go deep on the issues.
We’re also working on several innovations—one exploring a program for conflict zones where it’s currently too dangerous to audit, and another looking at a Fair Trade recycled plastics program for materials already used in Fair Trade Certified products, like shoes or jackets. It’s exciting because it deepens impact in the supply chains we work in.
“Two things inspire me most. First, seeing workers grow confident in their own voices. When Fair Trade Committee members raise ideas, debate priorities, and vote on projects, you can truly see empowerment taking root.
The second is seeing how Fair Trade Community Development Funds improve lives and communities. At Youngone Hung Yen, a certified factory in Vietnam, workers created a savings fund that provides emergency financial support for families battling illnesses such as cervical cancer and kidney disease. Through another project, the committee built a kitchen for a kindergarten in a highland area giving 37 children hot, nutritious meals every day. These moments remind me how Fair Trade creates meaningful, lasting positive change.”
What We Could Do With More Support
“With more support, we could expand our storytelling efforts by bringing additional professionals to document stories directly from the field. Investing in storytelling means amplifying the real impact of Fair Trade, making it visible, relatable, and inspiring for everyone who believes in this movement.”
We are a small but mighty team of two, and the innovations we are dreaming of aren’t possible without additional funding. With additional resources, we could focus more time and energy on the innovation work, which is so critical to expanding the impact of what we already do!
“With more support, we could spend more time in the field, meeting workers, and Certificate Holders in person whenever they need hands-on guidance or encouragement. These face-to-face visits are invaluable for building trust and helping factories strengthen their Fair Trade systems.
Additional resources would also allow us to translate more guidance materials into local languages, making the program more inclusive and accessible so every worker can fully understand and take part in their Fair Trade journey.”
“With more support, the Producer Services team could spend more time with producers and create more opportunities for connection across regions. Then, our community could share their experiences, learn from one another, and find motivation in their shared challenges and victories.
We could also invest in technology to better capture and communicate their stories and showcase how Fair Trade USA is transforming lives and communities around the world.”
When you donate to Fair Trade USA, your dollars go directly toward helping our team do what we do best: empowering worker communities to build stronger supply chains and better futures. Your support is critical in helping us continue to expand our mission and impact. Thank you for standing with farmers, workers, and fishers around the world.
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