The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) staff are integral to furthering the work of our members and the fair trade movement. They work together with the FTF Board of Directors and the FTF Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee to further the FTF’s mission.
Chris Solt | Executive Director
As Executive Director, Chris manages the strategic, administrative, and programmatic aspects of the Fair Trade Federation. Chris has dedicated much of his professional career toward strengthening fair trade businesses and advancing the goals of the larger fair trade movement. Prior to joining the FTF staff in 2016, Chris spent over 5 years as a Regional Sales Manager for Ten Thousand Villages US, working with fair trade stores of all sizes to be more successful. Chris then led the training team with Ten Thousand Villages for 7 years, which included coordinating and driving educational events, conferences, and fair trade promotion.
After joining the FTF in early 2016, Chris has helped shape member education programs, led the coordination and planning for FTF Conferences, and represented FTF at events across the US and Canada. He has developed relationships with fair trade professionals from all over the world, including travels to India, Nepal, Peru, and Guatemala, where he has seen the impact of fair trade, first hand. On September 19, 2019, the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) elected Chris as their Pacific Representative on the WFTO’s Global Board for a four year term.
Chris earned a BA in Social Science at Cleveland State University, and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership with a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources from Southern New Hampshire University.
Alyssa Anderson | Director of Membership
Alyssa joined the Fair Trade Federation as Membership Manager in 2020. She oversees the rigorous membership application process and annual member reviews and assists in coordinating events and member programs.
She is also on the National Leadership Team for Fair Trade Campaigns, Vice Curator of the Lancaster Global Shapers Hub, and a member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps. She has been in the non-profit sector for the majority of her career, both with Agency with Choice, an organization dedicated to assisting individuals in selecting their own care providers, and Church World Service, where she served as a resettlement case manager in the Refugee Resettlement Program. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Lancaster Human Relations Commission.
Her passion for fair trade was cultivated throughout her years working for those in vulnerable populations and advocating for human rights issues and sustainable practices both professionally and personally. Alyssa earned a B.A. in International Studies with a French minor from Millersville University.
Loren Hamilton | Engagement Manager
Loren joined the Fair Trade Federation at the end of 2022 as the Engagement Manager. She leads and helps to support the growth of member engagement through overseeing the FTF’s communications, brand, and website.
Prior to the FTF, Loren spent the majority of her professional career working directly with Handspun Hope, Creative Women (formerly Acacia Creations), Azizi Life, and The Little Market and indirectly with many more FTF member organizations. While living in East Africa for the last six years, she assisted local social businesses with reaching the global marketplace through product development, market outreach, and brand management. She is a sustainability advocate and has published articles in The Business Daily and Textile Exchange, advancing sustainable development initiatives. In addition to written advocacy, she has participated in various speaking engagements, promoting fair trade and sustainability in her local Texas hometown’s school district.
She earned a scholarship from Rotary International and was afforded the opportunity to pursue an MBA from the United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya with a specialization in Global Social Sustainable Entrepreneurship. Through her involvement with Rotary, she was able to further advocate for fair trade and sustainability through speaking at Rotary meetings both in Austin, Texas and Nairobi, Kenya.