Board of Directors
The AIN Board of Directors comprises leaders from across the food system. We invite you to learn more about our board members below.
Nicole Mason, President
Nicole has worked in agriculture and sustainable food systems both nationally and abroad for over a decade. Nicole currently works at Veritable Vegetable, the nation’s oldest organic distribution company where she works in sales and fulfills the company’s communication needs. Prior to joining Veritable Vegetable, Nicole spent five years at Roots of Change, directing programs aimed at transforming California’s food system to a sustainable food system by the year 2030. Before moving to California, Nicole served as program director for an environmental organization focused on local, sustainable agriculture and cuisine. In this role, Nicole managed programs that connected local farmers to markets in New York City. She also worked at the New York Botanical Garden and taught classes in plant science and botany.
Nicole received a Bachelor’s degree in International Agriculture and Development at Cornell University. Following her undergraduate studies, Nicole received a prestigious graduate-level research fellowship to research organic cropping systems in New Zealand for one year. Nicole is one of the bright young lights in the sustainable food movement and her insight and enthusiasm is an ideal fit for Ag Innovations Network.
Paul Martin, Secretary
Paul is Director of Environmental Services for Western United Dairymen, a leader in advocacy for the California Dairy Industry. Paul received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Davis, his Masters Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies- Environmental Policy from Sonoma State University, and is a member of Class X of the California Agricultural Leadership Program. Paul is a leader in finding opportunities for mainstream agriculture to work with environmental and community allies to find win-win solutions for the future of dairying in California. He is a member of AIN’s California Roundtable on Agriculture and the Environment and resident of Petaluma, California.
Marissa Guggiana, Treasurer
Marissa Guggiana is proprietor of the Butcher’s Guild. She is also a co-founder of Secret Eating Society, a former president of Sonoma Direct Sustainable Meats, and a 2007 fellow with Roots of Change. She curated the Charcuterie Pavilion for Slow Food Nation’s inaugural gathering in 2008. Marissa is an editor with Meatpaper Magazine, a regular contributor to Saveur and Edible communities. In Fall 2010, she finished her first book, Primal Cuts: Cooking With America’s Best Butchers.
Martha Guzman Aceves, Member
Martha is an attorney and advocate with the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, a nonprofit legal services and advocacy organization founded in 1981 to improve rights and opportunities for California’s immigrants, their families and communities. Martha has been a leader at finding productive ways to work with the farming community to both improve conditions for workers and recognize and promote best practices on California’s farms and ranches.