Staff and Board
2024 FCIA Board of Directors
Jean Thompson
President
Seattle Chocolate Company
Connect with Jean on LinkedIn
Monica Rogan
Vice President
Goodnow Farms Chocolate
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Dahlia Graham
Treasurer
Fruition Chocolate Works
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Shadel Nyack Compton
Secretary
Belmont Estate
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Lauren Adler
Chocolopolis
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Andal Balu
CocoaTown
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Jacques De Waele
Savage Brothers Company
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Daniel Domingo
Cacao Latitudes
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José López Ganem
Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute
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Clark Guittard
Guittard Chocolate Company
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Maricel Presilla
International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting, Gran Cacao & Blue Cacao
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Emily Stone
Uncommon Cacao
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FCIA Staff
Olja Hocevar Van Wely, Executive Director
Olja combines two decades of success in grant and program management with hands-on experience making award-winning bean-to-bar chocolate. Throughout her tenure in the international nonprofit sector, Olja has effectively managed a range of grants from both local and global public and private donors. Olja's extensive experience encompasses the oversight of a diverse portfolio of international programs focusing on advancing global women's and youth rights and promoting their equitable access to education and health care. She excels in cultivating partnerships with global public and private donors, partners, and stakeholders.
Originally from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Olja immigrated to the United States in 1997. She received an MA from the School of International Service at American University, Washington, DC. Olja is currently residing in Seattle with her husband, daughter, and their dog, Daisy.
Cathy Ford, Manager of Member Services
Cathy has more than 20 years of experience supporting corporate executives and conducting training in how to use technology applications in a business setting. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies and a Master's Degree in Health Administration. Cathy is the owner of Red Owl Business Services, LLC. and lives in Albuquerque, NM with her husband, Mark, and her dog, Molly.
Connect with Cathy on LinkedIn
Finance Team
finance@finechocolateindustry.org
Jill Hansen is the owner of Great Blue Accounting and Consulting LLC. She earned her bachelor‘s degree in Accounting from the University of Montana in 1995. Jill has worked as a management accountant in many industries and for many types and sizes of companies and non-profits organizations. Her specialization is creating custom accounting and reporting solutions for management teams, boards of directors, members, and other end-users. Great Blue Accounting‘s mission is to provide premier accounting services with a commitment to high-level customer service to meet the specific needs of every client. Connect with Jill on LinkedIn
Madeline Nieves is the senior accountant for Great Blue Accounting. She earned her bachelor‘s degree in Accounting from the University of Puerto Rico in 1996. She is originally from Puerto Rico and has been working remotely for Great Blue since her family moved to Minnesota in 2020. She is fully bilingual, with Spanish as her first language. She has worked in the private sector for different types of companies, developing experience in the complete accounting cycle. Madeline is an expert in the day-to-day transactions of FCIA, facilitating member payments and supporting operations and marketing staff with the necessary financial information.