At the heart of the World Farmers Markets Coalition lies a vibrant and diverse constituency, one that reflects the richness of the global communities we represent. Our coalition is guided by leaders whose experience and dedication light the way forward in every region of the world:
- Richard McCarthy, President and Representative for North America
- Ha Tran, Vice President and Board Representative for East Asia and Oceania
- Thiago Gomide Nasser, Board Representative for Latin America
- Naima Akter, Board Representative for Asia
- Jean Charles Khairallah, Board Representative for the Mediterranean and North Africa
- Randi Ledaal Gjertsen, Board Representative for Europe
- Selorm Akaba, Board Representative for Sub-Saharan Africa
Together, these representatives form the living architecture of our global movement. They ensure that our coalition remains close to every region, every market, and every voice so that no member ever feels distant from the center of our shared mission.
We’re aspiring to build a WoldFMC that stands alongside each country, supporting the emergence of strong and resilient national associations. These associations are the engines of transformation: they empower farmers, defend market traditions, and nurture trust between producers and communities. We want a coalition capable of receiving insights, challenges, and aspirations from the field, and returning them as guidance, solidarity, and practical tools that help all members grow.
For this reason, our constituencies are not meant to be ceremonial. They must serve as powerful bridges, true connectors that carry knowledge in both directions, allowing local experience to shape global strategy, and global strategy to reinforce local strength.
Yet there is an even deeper layer to the coalition we’re building. The WorldFMC was founded on generosity, where collaboration is not an obligation but a natural impulse. A coalition that elevates a spirit of service: giving time, sharing experience, offering support when it is needed most. A coalition where each member asks, What can I contribute so that together we can build the worldwide system of local foods our communities deserve?
This spirit, rooted in care, openness, and shared purpose, is what animates our work. It is what allows a global coalition to remain human in scale, authentic in practice, and bold in ambition.
As we continue to grow, we do so with the conviction that farmers markets are not only places of exchange, but living expressions of culture, community, and hope. And it is our collective responsibility to ensure that these spaces flourish, inspire, and endure.
