OREANDA-NEWS. DuPont announced today that Krysta Harden has joined the company as vice president of Public Policy & Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), succeeding Linda Fisher who elected to retire last month.

Harden, 57, most recently served as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  She will have responsibility for leading the company's public policy and government affairs strategies, as well as its sustainability, philanthropy, product stewardship and global regulatory activities. She will be based in Washington, D.C.

"DuPont has long been a pioneer in corporate sustainability.  In 2004 we appointed Linda Fisher as our chief sustainability officer to lead our efforts, becoming the first publicly traded company to name a CSO," said James C. Collins, DuPont executive vice president. "Under Linda's leadership, DuPont announced its first set of market-facing sustainability goals in 2006, tying how we invest in R&D and grow revenue with sustainability in mind. Her dedication in these areas contributed significantly to both DuPont and society.

"Krysta comes to DuPont as a widely respected leader with exceptional experience in natural resource conservation, agriculture policy and sustainability," said Collins.  "She brings an unmatched understanding of the emerging challenges and opportunities that DuPont is addressing to improve everyday lives for people and communities around the world as we create value for our customers and the marketplace.  We are very pleased to welcome her to the company."

As deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Harden shaped food and agriculture policy, including leading the implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill. At USDA and throughout her career, Harden has focused on expanding opportunity for women, young people, immigrants, socially disadvantaged producers, returning veterans and retirees. Prior to her service as deputy secretary, Harden held USDA leadership positions as chief of staff to the secretary of agriculture, Tom Vilsack, and assistant secretary for Congressional Relations. Preceding her service at USDA, Harden spent five years as CEO of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), providing national leadership for natural resource conservation and representing thousands of conservation districts across the nation.

In addition to serving as CEO of the National Association of Conservation Districts, she also has worked with the American Soybean Association as senior vice president of Gordley Associates, where she concentrated on conservation and renewable energy issues. Harden also served 12 years on Capitol Hill, as staff director for the House subcommittee on peanuts and tobacco and as chief of staff and press secretary for former Congressman Charles Hatcher.

Harden received her B.A. in journalism from the University of Georgia.

DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment.