Nick Gardner serves as Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Multilateral Affairs at the U.S. Dairy Export Council. Nick is responsible for managing USDEC’s sustainability portfolio and developing and implementing strategic programing that support science and evidence-based UN policy development and international standard setting. He also supports USDEC engagement with the Net Zero Initiative, a partnership of the U.S. dairy community seeking to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions, optimize water usage and improve water quality on farms. Nick is a cleared advisor for the U.S. Department of Commerce, an active member of the International Dairy Federation, and leads the Food Industry Codex Coalition. Prior to joining USDEC, Nick was Director of Global Strategies at the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA). Nick began his career working in the offices of two Members of the U.S. Congress. He holds a master’s degree from American University and a bachelors from Franklin and Marshall College. Nick lives on a small farm on the Eastern Shore of Maryland where he employs no-till and cover cropping to produce corn and soybeans.