Kathleen Frith at Wadson's Farm, Bermuda; photo: Hannah Frith
Formerly managing director at Harvard Medical School’s Center for Health and the Global Environment
Glynwood, one of the nation’s leading sustainable agriculture and food organizations, has announced that Kathleen Frith will become the organization’s new president effective Aug. 1. Frith’s selection follows a rigorous six-month, national search conducted by Glynwood’s board of directors. As a leader working for a more sustainable world, Frith will lead Glynwood in its mission to save farming by strengthening farm communities and regional food systems.
Prior to joining Glynwood, Frith worked for 12 years at the Harvard Medical School’s Center for Health and the Global Environment, serving as the organization’s managing director for the past two years. There she was integral in shaping the Center’s programs to educate and inform people about the links between human health, food systems, the oceans and the environment.
Frith holds a Master of Science degree from Boston University in science journalism. Her passion for marine biology led her to create the Center’s Healthy Oceans Healthy Humans Program, which has inspired national and international attention by connecting ocean conservation with human health. She also began the Center’s Healthy and Sustainable Food Program, which not only addresses the importance of healthy food choices, but also emphasizes the larger issues of the impacts of modern food systems on the environment and human health.
“We are pleased to welcome Kathleen to Glynwood,” says Chip Allemann, chairman of the board of Glynwood. “Her deep experience and her public health perspective are sure to enrich our programmatic influence. Kathleen’s style of fostering productive relationships across complementary disciplines will be invaluable as collaboration between organizations becomes increasingly vital to the success of Glynwood’s mission.”
“I am excited to join an organization that works at the helm of fostering healthy, sustainable food systems both in the Hudson Valley and across the nation,” adds Frith. “I look forward to building on the impressive successes that Glynwood has achieved by promoting stewardship of the land, building community and increasing economic opportunities for farmers and other agricultural businesses in the region.”
As Frith assumes the top leadership role at Glynwood, Glynwood’s founding president Judith LaBelle will transition to an emeritus role as “senior fellow” of the organization. In this new position, LaBelle will continue to share her knowledge and experience with colleagues and the public through her research, writing and speaking engagements.
“Under Judy’s leadership, for the past 17 years Glynwood has grown and evolved into one of the nation’s premier non-profit organizations in the field of sustainable agriculture and food,” notes Allemann. “The programs and initiatives she has implemented have firmly established Glynwood as a leader that organizations and communities turn to for guidance and information about the development of regional food systems. We are delighted that she will be making a continuing contribution to the issues Glynwood cares about so deeply.”
Located in the Hudson Valley and operating its own demonstration farm, Glynwood’s unique niche is to empower communities to support farming and conserve farmland through its community programs, public education and leadership in environmentally sustainable agriculture. Major Glynwood programs include Keep Farming™, the Glynwood Institute for Sustainable Food and Farming, and the Apple Project: Saving Orchards with Cider. To learn more about Glynwood and its initiatives, visit their website.
