Krysta Harden

President and CEO

U.S. Dairy Export Council

As president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), Krysta Harden leverages experience with agriculture, sustainability, food policy, and the federal government to help fulfill USDEC’s mission to promote dairy exports and enrich the well-being of people, communities, and the planet. In February 2021, Harden became the third president and CEO to lead USDEC since its founding by Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) in 1995. She is the first woman to lead the organization. Harden succeeds former USDEC President and CEO Tom Vilsack, who was confirmed in February 2021 as U.S. Agriculture Secretary in the Biden-Harris administration.

Prior to joining USDEC, Harden served in many leadership roles including Chief Sustainability Officer with Corteva and DuPont, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary at USDA under Tom Vilsack. In addition, Harden helped shape agriculture policy and led the implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill.

Prior to joining USDA, Harden was CEO of the National Association of Conservation Districts and Senior Vice President of Gordley Associates. She also spent 12 years on Capitol Hill as Staff Director for the House subcommittee on peanuts and tobacco, and as Chief of Staff and Press Secretary for former Congressman Charles Hatcher.

Throughout her career in agriculture, Harden has focused on expanding opportunities for women, young people, immigrants, socially disadvantaged producers, returning veterans, and retirees, among others. She serves as Vice-Chair of the National 4-H Council Board of Trustees and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Global Child Nutrition Foundation.

Harden received her B.A. in journalism from the University of Georgia in 1981. Harden and her husband, Charles Hatcher, live in Alexandria, VA.