Chris Solt is a mission-driven leader with over two decades of experience in the fair trade, cooperative, and sustainable agriculture sectors. His career has focused on building ethical, transparent systems that support farmers, producers, and workers through values-based verification and alternative economic models rooted in restorative justice.

Chris most recently served as Executive Director of the Fair Trade Federation (FTF), a North American network of fully committed fair trade businesses. In this role, he led the strategic, administrative, and programmatic direction of the organization, helping strengthen the fair trade movement and supporting member enterprises across the U.S. and Canada.

Prior to joining the FTF in 2016, Chris spent a decade with Ten Thousand Villages US, where he held a range of leadership roles, including Regional Director, Training Manager, and Director of Training and Development. His work focused on sales training, capacity building, and board development to enhance the impact of one of the oldest fair trade organizations in North America.

Since 2019, Chris has served on the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) Global Board of Directors as the Pacific Region Representative. He was re-elected to a second term in 2024 and elected Vice President of the global board, contributing to international efforts to advance inclusive and sustainable economies.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Social Science from Cleveland State University and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership, along with a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources, from Southern New Hampshire University.

Chris's passion for alternative, justice-rooted economies began during a 1998 trip through Canada, where he was first introduced to Ten Thousand Villages. That experience sparked a lifelong commitment to fair trade and cooperative values, which continues to shape his leadership philosophy today.

Outside of work, Chris is a lifelong musician and multi-instrumentalist. He enjoys tennis, kayaking, hiking, bicycling, gardening, cooking, traveling, and spending time with his wife, Rebekah, and their dog, Teddy. Now based in Pennsylvania, Chris is thrilled to join the PCO team and community. He brings with him a strong alignment with PCO’s mission and looks forward to advancing the organization’s work in support of organic integrity, resilient food systems, and thriving farm communities.