Cotton Council International (CCI), the export promotion arm of the National Cotton Council of America (NCC), has announced the appointment of Liz Hershfield as its new Executive Director. Hershfield, a seasoned fashion industry veteran and sustainability expert, succeeds Bruce Atherley, who retired at the end of March.
Gary Adams, President and CEO of NCC, expressed confidence in Hershfield’s leadership, stating, “Strong leadership and innovative strategies are essential to maintaining U.S. cotton’s competitive edge. Liz is well poised to enhance COTTON USA™ programs by communicating U.S. cotton’s benefits, giving U.S. cotton growers more opportunities to thrive in the complex global market.”
Hershfield brings specialized expertise in sustainability, global sourcing, product development, and end-to-end supply chain strategy. Her extensive experience with U.S. cotton positions her to advance CCI’s mission of leading the world to cotton’s next level through its COTTON USA™ brand and to drive global U.S. cotton
In her statement, Hershfield emphasized the significance of this role: “There’s never been a more important time to champion U.S. cotton. U.S. cotton has an incredible story to tell—rooted in quality, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability.”
Hershfield’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as the U.S. cotton industry continues to focus on sustainable practices and expanding its global reach. Her leadership is expected to further strengthen the position of U.S. cotton in the international market.
