Alexis Taylor will join the International Fresh Produce Association as its chief global policy officer after she completes her two-year tenure as undersecretary of trade and foreign agricultural affairs at USDA
In the newly created role, Taylor will lead IFPA’s government relations team and focus on driving the association's global public policy agenda. Government relations will continue to be led by Rebeckah Adcock.
“As the world enters a new socio-political era following last year's elections in more than 70 countries, it is imperative that our industry’s voice has impact,” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns in a release. “Leveraging her almost 20 years of experience in government, trade, and agriculture, [Taylor] will help develop and shape our global advocacy efforts to further grow our influence.”
Taylor speaking during a 2023 trade mission.
Reflecting on the Foreign Agricultural Service’s accomplishments during her tenure, Taylor published a farewell message Wednesday that highlighted the agency's distribution of $1.2 billion in Regional Agricultural Promotion Program funding to reduce market dependency and diversify exports, collaboration to advance global food security, and support that led to 2026 being declared the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
FAS has hosted 16 trade missions since February 2022 resulting in 5,500 business meetings and $250 million in projected 12-month sales.
“Growing up on a farm in Northeast Iowa taught me the values of resilience and innovation — qualities that have guided my work as USDA’s Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs,” Taylor wrote.
She previously held roles on Capitol Hill, at USDA and served as director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture under former Gov. Kate Brown. A native to her family’s Iowa Heritage farm, she graduated from Iowa State University and is a U.S. Army veteran.
Taylor will officially step into her role with IFPA on Feb.18.
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