U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol names Marjory Walker and Liz Hershfield as co-directors
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol has appointed Marjory Walker and Liz Hershfield as co-directors, strengthening its executive leadership as the program continues to expand across global cotton supply chains.
Both leaders will serve on the organization’s executive team and share responsibility for driving market adoption, strengthening collaboration across the value chain, and developing offerings shaped by industry needs.
Walker and Hershfield will oversee distinct but closely aligned areas of the program. Marjory Walker will lead the operational and program framework, with oversight of standards and assurance, field programs, communications, marketing, and internal operations. Her role includes safeguarding the integrity of the Trust Protocol’s verification process and guiding the evolution of its standards, including the integration of regenerative practices. She will also focus on clear communication, risk management, and engagement with key stakeholders.
Liz Hershfield will head global market development and supply chain engagement. She will oversee traceability systems, training, assurance, and operational alignment across the supply chain to support member compliance. A key part of her work will involve building stronger relationships with mills, manufacturers, brands, and retailers, while helping members connect sustainability outcomes with business value.
Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, said the new leadership structure will sharpen the organization’s focus and improve coordination across teams. He highlighted the combined experience of Walker and Hershfield in sustainability, supply chains, communications, and industry leadership as critical to advancing the program’s mission of delivering verified, responsibly grown U.S. cotton.
Walker also serves as vice president of council operations and director of communications at the National Cotton Council, where she oversees operational and communications services. Her previous roles at the National Cotton Council and the Cotton Board included senior leadership positions supporting the Cotton Research and Promotion Program.
Alongside her work with the Trust Protocol, Hershfield is executive director of Cotton Council International, the National Cotton Council’s export promotion arm. With more than 30 years of experience in the fashion industry, she has led supply chain and sustainability efforts for brands such as J.Crew, Madewell, Bonobos, and Old Navy.
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is a voluntary sustainability program for U.S. cotton growers and a traceability platform for U.S. cotton. It sets measurable goals for responsible cotton production and tracks progress across six areas: land use efficiency, water use efficiency, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, soil conservation, and soil carbon. These outcomes are supported by detailed data collection and independent third-party verification, helping build confidence across the supply chain.
