From Founder to Federation Leader: Meet the New Executive Director | Fair Trade Federation

In this episode of FAIR Talks, Becca sits down with Bethany Tran, the new Executive Director of the Fair Trade Federation and former founder of The Root Collective, to talk about her journey from a life-changing week in Guatemala to leaving corporate America, building a fair trade shoe company, and now stepping into movement-level leadership. Bethany shares honestly about the realities of running a fair trade brand, the loneliness so many founders feel, and the way friendships and community helped sustain her work years longer than she expected. She and Becca unpack what makes the Fair Trade Federation unique as a holistic verifier and a hub for connection, how FTF supports brands and retailers who want to “do what they say they’re doing,” and her early vision for deeper member support, new partnerships with fair trade towns, and growing the movement in the years ahead. Along the way, Bethany offers her “why I keep going” story, rooted in the future she hopes to create for her sons and her belief that everyday purchasing decisions truly can shift the global story of trade, and the episode includes a heartfelt thank you to outgoing Executive Director Chris Solt for his decade of leadership and the strong foundation he’s left for what comes next. Learn more at fairtradefederation.org.