With over a decade of experience in finance and strategy, Ben’s core competencies lie in optimizing financial planning and analysis. At the Non-GMO Project, his mission is to advance financial practices and analysis that support the organization’s dedication to safe, healthy, non-GMO food. 

Ben’s career includes experience with mission-driven CPG brands as well as experience as a founder of a low-waste organic grocery concept. Ben thrives when professional skills align with impact and is passionate about improvements in the food system.

On a personal note, he grew up in the Ozarks Mountains in Arkansas, where fly fishing and camping forged a deep appreciation for nature. Ben moved to San Diego in 2009 and now spends a lot of his free time surfing, gardening, and restoring native habitat.

Rachel has always cared deeply about food, equity, sustainability, and the intersections between them. Throughout her career, she has worked with people experiencing homelessness, migrants, and refugees, and continues to be passionate about community advocacy and activism. Her experience has shown her first hand how food is a human rights issue which everyone deserves dignified access to.

Rachel spent most of her life in Colorado, and as a newbie to the Pacific Northwest, is excited to explore the beautiful outdoors. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, hiking, camping, reading, cooking, yoga, and hanging out with her cat.

Emma serves the Non-GMO Project as the Strategic Operations Manager. Emma enjoys supporting the mission of the Non-GMO Project as she strives to live in greater harmony with the natural world and to steward a healthier and more equitable future for the earth and its inhabitants. She is also passionate about collaborative facilitation and employee engagement.

Emma grew up in Saratoga Springs, New York where she spent summers working on an organic vegetable farm. She studied Communications and Global Studies at Marist College in Poughkeepsie where she was a coxswain for the men’s rowing team (yes, just like The Boys in the Boat). Prior to arriving at the Non-GMO Project, Emma has experience in non-profit development and fundraising, event organizing, as well as leading worksite wellness initiatives, and supporting a social enterprise sustainable coffee startup.

Kathy is thrilled to join the Non-GMO project as the Operations Manager. Her experience with coaching, education and business management meshed with a deep passion for healthy food brought her to the Project.

Before heading to the Pacific Northwest in 1993, Kathy lived in Boston where she worked for an educational non-profit and earned her M.Ed. in college counseling. A longing to be closer to the mountains and water, drew Kathy to Seattle and eventually Bellingham. Kathy has spent much her work life teaching, coaching and advising people in all things related to career and education. Thriving on variety in her work, Kathy also has experience in business operations and most recently worked for an experientially-based high school here in Bellingham managing daily business operations.

When she’s not at work, Kathy loves hiking and skiing in the North Cascades, hanging out with her family and friends and her intrepid dog Biscuit and cat, Sasha.

Nikki’s appreciation for local, organic, and non-GMO food started in her own backyard at her childhood home on the Olympic Peninsula and has become a lifelong passion. With a Bachelor of Science Degree from Western Washington University, Nikki spent the first decade of her career working in the health and wellness industry. During that time she owned and operated a therapeutic massage therapy business, and was the Director of Operations at the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy. While there she instructed anatomy, physiology, business, and ethics. Nikki also spent 4-months a year in Northern and Southern Thailand where she taught Thai Yoga Massage immersion courses.

Nikki arrived at the Non-GMO Project in 2015 with a deeply rooted appreciation for the innate healing properties of whole foods. She has a passion for stewardship and advocacy for this planet and the life that it supports, and she is full of gratitude to be able to apply her diverse work experience toward the Project’s mission. Outside of work, Nikki and her partner are busy chasing after their young son and daughter, exploring the PNW, and getting their hands dirty in the garden.