The NAAAN is one of 18 partner networks of the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS). GFRAS serves as a platform for networking, learning, knowledge sharing, and advocacy in order to enhance the performance of advisory services around the world and better serve farm families and rural producers.

GOVERNANCE
The NAAAN was established in 2019. The NAAAN is hosted by the Colorado State University System as outlined by the 2022 Charter. Ten Steering Committee representatives and Senior Staff from each country comprise our leadership alongside a Secretariat team based in Colorado.
STEERING COMMITTEE
The NAAAN Steering Committee is comprised of ten members: the chair of the committee representing the host institution of the NAAAN (CSU System) and one ex officio and two committee members from each country – Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.
CANADA

EX OFFICIO

BRODIE BERRIGAN
Director of Government Relations and Farm Policy, Canadian Federation of Agriculture
Brodie Berrigan’s bio

JENNIFER WRIGHT
Executive Director at Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC)
Jennifer Wright’s bio
MEXICO

JULIO BERDEGUÉ SACRISTÁN (EX OFFICIO)
Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development
Secretary Berdegué Sacristán’s bio

VICTOR VILLALOBOS
Senior Agricultural Advisor
Victor Villalobos’s bio

LUZ NAJERA
Vice President of Global Government Affairs, Ingredion
Luz Najera’s bio
UNITED STATES

EX OFFICIO

TONY FRANK
Chancellor, Colorado State University System (host institution)
Chair of the NAAAN Steering Committee
Tony Frank’s bio

JILL BRAMBLE
President and CEO, National 4-H Council
Jill Bramble’s bio

DOUGLAS STEELE
Vice President Food, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities
Douglas Steele’s bio
SENIOR STAFF
NAAAN senior staff report to the institutions, or serve directly under the Ministers and Secretaries of Agriculture across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. The senior staff’s work with NAAAN builds and maintains mutually beneficial relationships, facilitates communications, and coordinates key activities in agricultural policies and programs for their countries.

MÉLANIE SPÉNARD (CANADA)
Deputy Director, Americas Division of Agriculture, Canada’s International Affairs Branch
Mélanie Spénard’s bio

STEVEN BUCHTA (CANADA)
Trade Commissioner & Vice-consul (Agriculture), The Consulate General of Canada in Denver
Steven Buchta’s bio

MARIE-PIER SABOURIN (CANADA)
Trade Policy Analyst, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Marie-Pier Sabourin’s bio

LETICIA ALBARRAN MENA (MEXICO)
Head of Department of Communication and Interpretation, General Coordination of International Affairs
Leticia Albarran Mena’s bio

RAMÓN CÁRDENAS VILLAREAL (MEXICO)
General Director of Innovation, AGRICULTURA
Ramón Cárdenas Villarreal’s bio

LOURDES CRUZ TRINIDAD (MEXICO)
Director of Multilateral Affairs, AGRICULTURA
Lourdes Cruz Trinidad‘s bio

SALVADOR FERNÁNDEZ RIVERA (MEXICO)
Agricultural Advisor
Salvador Fernández Rivera’s bio

NAYELI ENEYDA MARTÍNEZ HERNÁNDEZ
General Director of Agroecological Transition, AGRICULTURA
Nayeli Eneyda Martínez Hernández’s bio

LUIS MARTÍNEZ SENTÍES (MEXICO)
Counselor for Agricultural Affairs, Embassy of Mexico to the United States
Luis Martínez Sentíes’s bio

SANTIAGO RUY SÁNCHEZ DE ORELLANA (MEXICO)
General Coordinator of International Affairs, AGRICULTURA
Santiago Ruy Sánchez de Orellana’s bio

JAIME ADAMS (U.S.)
Senior Advisor for International Affairs, Office of the Chief Scientist, Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education and Economics Mission Area
Jaime Adams’s bio

ELIZA HERNANDEZ (U.S.)
Chief of Staff and Government Relations, National 4-H Council

BILL HOFFMAN (U.S.)
Executive Director, Cooperative Extension System (CES) and Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP)
Bill Hoffman’s bio

DAVIDA TENGEY (U.S.)
International Engagement Officer, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA
Davida Tengey’s bio
SECRETARIAT
The NAAAN Secretariat, established in 2019, provides administrative guidance and is hosted by the Colorado State University System office located in Denver, Colorado.

KERRI CONWAY (U.S.)
Special Advisor to the Chancellor and Director of International Agriculture, CSU Spur
Kerri Conway’s bio

DAVID NIELSON (U.S.)
Senior Advisor to the NAAAN
David Nielson’s bio

REBECCA POPARA (U.S.)
Program Manager of Partnerships and Engagement, International Agriculture, CSU Spur
Rebecca Popara’s bio