TUCKER, GA. – Beginning Jan. 11, Candace Bergesch will be the new director of communications for the US Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs (US-RSPE) and the International Poultry Welfare Alliance (IPWA). Having one person fill the combined role of director of communications for both organizations is an attempt to strengthen the collaboration between the groups in addition to address issues related to poultry welfare and sustainability.

“Candace brings the experience and energy to match our dedicated volunteers that are moving quickly on initiatives that will advance sustainability and animal welfare throughout the entire poultry value chain,” said Ryan Bennett, executive director of US-RSPE and IPWA.

Bergesch added, “I was inspired from my very first conversations with the IPWA and US-RSPE board members. The poultry and egg industries are crucial to the global food supply, and I am honored to join this dedicated team and contribute to their vision for poultry welfare and sustainability.”

She is a sixth-generation member of a family farm in Missouri and has years of experience in agriculture communications. Most recently, Bergesch was employed by OBP Agency (Osborn Barr) in St. Louis. There, she supported accounts including the United Soybean Board, CommonGround and consulted with poultry industry experts for Pilgrims’ Just Bare chicken products. She also worked at Novus International Inc. as the public relations specialist in global marketing and served as a legislative assistant in the Missouri Senate staffing the agriculture and natural resources committee.

“IPWA and US-RSPE have a joint structure and shared goals, which include helping to shape the global discussion for poultry welfare and increasing both knowledge and understanding of science and production systems that will result in better outcomes for poultry and the customers and other stakeholders in the sector,” the organizations said.

Bergesch added, “US-RSPE and IPWA have made great strides in sharing their advancements in poultry welfare and sustainability, due in large part to a very committed group of members representing all facets of the value chain. It is my commitment to build on their hard work with impactful communications that will bring the story of poultry and egg sustainability forward in a meaningful and transparent way.”