Nov 16, 2021

CEA Food Safety Coalition appoints new executive director

The CEA Food Safety Coalition, comprised of (CEA) leafy greens producers, has announced that Elisabeth Hagen is the organization’s second executive director, effective Nov. 15.

Dr. Hagen is the former Under Secretary for Food Safety at the USDA, a former Chief Medical Officer of the USDA, a member of the board of directors of NSF International, and a Food Safety Advisory Board Member of Chipotle.  Dr. Hagen graduated from Harvard Medical School and completed a fellowship in infectious disease at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Dr. Hagen will work closely with coalition members, government agencies and industry experts to develop food safety standards for the CEA leafy greens industry. In addition to her work on food safety, Hagen’s role will also focus on growing the Coalition’s membership, managing day-to-day operations, and leading all communications and advocacy work.

Dr. Hagen succeeds Marni Karlin, the Coalition’s first executive director, who is now the Senior Advisor for Organic and Emerging Markets at the USDA. “We wish Ms. Karlin great luck in her new position and we are grateful for her contributions,” the Coalition stated.

“Dr. Hagen will execute her duties with intelligence, ambition and a vision for delivering value to our members,” Paul Lightfoot, chair of the CEA Food Safety Coalition, said in a news release.

“The work of the Coalition and each of its members is critical to the promise of a safe, sustainable food supply,” Dr. Hagen said.