FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, February 3, 2025
Blake brings over two decades of leadership, operational excellence, and a passion for community impact to the organization.
SEATTLE, WA, February 3rd, 2025 – Leading Harvest, a leader in advancing sustainable agriculture, is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Blake as its new chief of staff.
A graduate of California Polytechnic State University, Blake has cultivated a career that blends strategic expertise with a commitment to meaningful service. Most recently, Blake served as director of sales and marketing at The Craig Stoller Collection, one of the top-producing wineries in the U.S. During his tenure, he oversaw 50+ employees across multiple operations, including tasting rooms, dining establishments, vacation properties, and nationwide wine distribution. His leadership was instrumental in shaping the company’s brand strategy, enhancing guest experiences, and fostering a collaborative team culture.
Prior to his time in the wine industry, Blake served as director of mission advancement at Mission College Preparatory Catholic High School. In that role, he managed a $5.6 million budget and led philanthropic initiatives to advance the school’s mission.
Blake’s contributions extend beyond professional achievements. As a co-founder of Love SLO, he has mobilized thousands of volunteers to participate in transformative community service projects in San Luis Obispo, California.
“Chris’s exceptional leadership and operational expertise, coupled with his passion for driving positive change, align perfectly with our mission,” said President and CEO of Leading Harvest Kenny Fahey. “His ability to inspire teams and build meaningful relationships will be pivotal as Leading Harvest continues to expand its impact globally.”
“I am honored to become part of Leading Harvest’s incredible team and contribute to advancing sustainable agriculture,” Blake said. “This role provides an extraordinary opportunity to support innovative solutions that benefit farmers, the environment, and communities worldwide. I’m eager to build on the organization’s strong foundation and help drive its future success.”
A photo of Chris Blake can be found here. More information on Leading Harvest can be found at www.LeadingHarvest.org.
About Leading Harvest
Leading Harvest is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes the entire value chain through market-driven and third-party audited standards, outcome-driven collaborations, and a learning network to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and resilient global agricultural system. It created and maintains an innovative, third-party audited Farmland Management Standard, which is a universal, outcome-based sustainability standard focusing on farm management and continual improvement.
