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CNFA Names Darshana Patel President and Chief Executive Officer

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA) announced today that its Board of Directors appointed Darshana Patel as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 1, 2026.

Patel previously served as CNFA’s Chief Strategy and Communications Officer, leading the organization’s growth strategy, communications, policy engagement and external affairs. Over more than a decade with CNFA, she has played a central role in shaping the organization’s strategic direction and global profile.

“Darshana brings exactly the combination of skills and experience CNFA needs at this moment,” said Mike Espy, Chair of CNFA’s Board of Directors and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. “Her deep understanding of agriculture and international development, combined with her experience in trade, business development and communications, positions her exceptionally well to lead CNFA as we strengthen the connection between agricultural development, private-sector growth and expanded opportunities for American agriculture around the world.”

Patel brings more than 25 years of experience spanning trade, agriculture, manufacturing, international development, organizational strategy and strategic communications. Throughout her career, she has built and led businesses and organizations, developed new markets and business opportunities, and worked across the private and public sectors to advance growth, competitiveness and commercial objectives. Her experience includes expanding market access, navigating complex policy and regulatory environments, building public-private partnerships and advancing commercial opportunities for U.S. agriculture and industry.

That combination of trade, business and development reflects the private sector focus on which CNFA was founded more than four decades ago.

“When we founded CNFA, we believed that lasting economic development had to be built on trade, investment and a strong private sector,” said John H. Costello, co-founder and Director Emeritus of CNFA. “From our earliest work during the Reagan Administration, CNFA brought American agriculture, business and government together to open markets, build commercial relationships and create economic opportunity at home and abroad. Darshana’s experience across trade, development, business and strategy positions her to build on that legacy and lead CNFA into its next era.”

Before joining CNFA, Patel founded Latitude Worldwide, a strategic advisory and communications firm serving corporations, associations, nonprofits and public-sector organizations. Earlier in her career, she held senior roles at leading Washington, D.C.-based strategic communications and public affairs firms, advising major national and global organizations across agriculture, manufacturing, energy, transportation, technology, education and the public sector.

Patel succeeds Alan Pieper, CNFA’s former Chief Operating Officer, who served as Interim CEO before retiring in July. CNFA’s Board thanked Pieper for his service during the transition and recognized CNFA’s employees worldwide, whose expertise, dedication and commitment have been central to the organization’s success.