The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol has announced the appointment of Marjory Walker and Liz Hershfield as co-directors to accelerate the program’s growth by advancing market adoption, developing new market-driven offerings, and fostering greater collaboration across the entire cotton value chain.
Walker and Hershfield will oversee distinct but complementary pillars of the program. Walker will lead the operational and programmatic framework, providing strategic oversight for the Standards & Assurance, Field Programs, Communications & Marketing, and Operations teams. She will be responsible for ensuring the integrity of the Trust Protocol’s verification process and evolving its standards to incorporate regenerative practices, while advancing its mission through risk mitigation, clear messaging and stakeholder engagement. Concurrently, Hershfield will lead the Trust Protocol’s global market development and supply chain teams, overseeing traceability systems, operations, training, and assurance to ensure integrity and member adherence across the supply chain, deepening engagement with mills, manufacturers, brands, and retailers, and connecting sustainability outcomes with enhanced value for members.
In addition to their new Cotton Trust Protocol roles, Walker will continue to serve as Vice President of Council Operations and Director of Communications for the National Cotton Council (NCC), while Hershfield will remain the Executive Director of Cotton Council International (CCI), the export and promotion arm of NCC.
Walker recently gave an update on the protocol program, which celebrated five years in 2025.
Marjory Walker, Cotton Trust Protocol - interview 3:44