Edelman Names Ambassador Darci Vetter as General Manager for Public Affairs in D.C. and Vice Chair for Agriculture, Food and Trade
Former USTR Chief Agricultural Negotiator and Deputy Under Secretary of Agriculture will bring deep international, trade, agriculture, and food experience to the D.C. Public Affairs practice
Edelman has named Ambassador Darci Vetter, former Chief Agricultural Negotiator and Deputy Under Secretary of Agriculture, as General Manager for Public Affairs in its D.C. office. Vetter will lead the Public Affairs practice, collaborating across the full scope of offerings in the D.C. office. She will report to Lisa Ross, president of Edelman’s Washington, D.C. office. As the vice chair for Agriculture, Food and Trade, Vetter will work to spearhead the firm’s push to strengthen its support to clients in the commodities, supply chain, agribusiness and global trade arenas.
“Darci’s experience in Washington and negotiating around the world make her an incredible resource for our clients who are looking to protect their brands and grow and evolve their businesses in a complicated world. Our Trust research tells us that consumers are looking for businesses to have a voice on an increasing number of issues, and she can help them do just that,” said Ross. “Darci’s expertise will also help our clients identify new opportunities and open doors in food and agriculture in the U.S. and globally.”
Vetter, a longtime D.C. veteran, was most recently a consultant on international trade for food and agriculture, developing strategies for agricultural companies and trade associations on how best to engage foreign trading partners, foreign governments and U.S. government agencies. Previously, she served as the Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, where she led the development and execution of agricultural trade policy and negotiations for the U.S. government and negotiated the agricultural package of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement. Before that she was Deputy Under Secretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where she provided policy direction for international programs and oversaw the Foreign Agricultural Service.
“I am excited to apply my experience negotiating complex trade, agricultural and environmental issues in the government arena to world of strategic communications, helping companies and organizations navigate increasingly complex supply chains, policies and consumer expectations,” said Vetter. “I can’t think of a better place to do so than with the talented and innovative team at Edelman.”
Vetter has been awarded some of the agriculture industry’s most prominent awards, including the U.S. Meat Export Federation Michael J. Mansfield Award in 2016. She was named Woman of the Year in 2015 by the Organization of Women in International Trade. She also sits on the CME Group’s Agricultural Markets Advisory Council, and on the Board of Directors for the Neogen Corporation and the Farm Foundation. Vetter is a graduate of Drake University and received her Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from Princeton University.
About Edelman
Edelman is a leading global communications marketing firm that partners with many of the world’s largest and emerging businesses and organizations, helping them evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. Among its many honors, the firm was awarded the Cannes Lions Grand Prix for PR, named one of 2018 “Agencies to Watch” by Advertising Age and “Global Agency of the Year” by both the Holmes Report and PRWeek, and cited five times by Glassdoor as one of the “Best Places to Work.” Edelman owns specialty firms Edelman Intelligence (research) and United Entertainment Group (entertainment, sports, lifestyle).