International Cotton Association appoints Kim Hanna as 1st woman prez

Hanna began her career in cotton in 1982 as a secretary at Edward T Robertson & Son Ltd. While raising five children, she learned the industry and rose to the position of US operations manager. When ET Robertson was purchased by Wakefield Inspection Services, she continued leading Wakefield’s US office until 1999. In 2000, Hanna co-founded a new international cotton controlling company, TransGlobal Inspections, where she continues to serve as the chief executive officer, ICA said in a press release.

In 2019, Hanna was elected to the ICA board of directors where she chairs the Controllers Working Group, and is a member of the Rules Committee, a founding member of the Women in Cotton initiative, and an advocate to the ICAspire Programme. Hanna also serves as an advisor to the ACSA, WCSA, and TCA Foreign Affairs Committees.

Speaking of her new role as ICA president, Hanna said: “I am humbled and honoured to be the first female president in our association’s rich history. I would like my presidency to send the message that the cotton industry holds limitless possibilities for anyone wanting to learn, succeed, and make it to the top of their game. Our association has thrived by embracing different perspectives, and I am committed to further fostering an environment where every voice, regardless of gender, culture, or industry segment, is heard and valued. This moment is a testament to the progress we’ve made and a sign of the great strides we have yet to take. I may be the first woman to hold this position, but as I look at the changing composition of our membership and board, I’m confident I will not be the last.

“We have a lot of work ahead of us this year. Our industry faces numerous challenges, from perils of climate change, currency shortages, market volatility, and pending social and environmental legislation. I feel creating an inclusive environment where all sectors of the supply chain come together to mitigate industry challenges is not just a vision but a necessity. We need to encourage ICA membership and moreover, engagement from every region and every industry sector. There may be no quick fix, but by welcoming diverse voices from producers to retail, we can harness the collective wisdom of our complex supply chain, ensuring that no valuable insight is left untapped. This united front not only enables us to confront challenges head-on, but the association will be in a stronger, more resilient place to best protect the interests and continued sustainability of everyone in our wonderful world of cotton.”

New to the board are Chris Williams, partner, EHW Ltd, and Josh Taylor, senior trader, Viterra BV.

Comprising 23 members, the new board line-up continues to represent the ICA’s global membership across all sectors of the supply chain and builds on its commitment to engage the entire global cotton community.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)