With years of experience in the U.S. government regulatory and food and agriculture sectors, Groundswell Strategy is committed to developing and implementing a strategic approach for stakeholders who seek to improve and expand their influence across the U.S. government and the world.

About Groundswell Strategy

Groundswell Strategy builds strategic approaches to a regulated world. Launched in 2020 by Carmen Rottenberg, former Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, Groundswell builds tailored plans for a diverse set of clients across the food and agriculture space – from processors to suppliers to agtech firms and more. Our approach can help clients with their full range of government affairs needs including public affairs, regulatory and administrative engagement, and legislative outreach. Contact us at info@groundswellstrat.com.

Press

Agricultural Consulting Firm Groundswell Strategy Hires USDA Alum Anna Osterlind Jones

Groundswell Strategy, the food and agriculture consulting firm launched by former Administrator of the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Carmen

Rottenberg, today announced it is expanding its legislative and policy capabilities with the addition of Anna Osterlind Jones to its team as Senior Director of Government Affairs.

Osterlind brings over a decade of experience across the agriculture and biotechnology sectors. Most recently, she was Head of Government Affairs for publicly-traded biomanufacturing company Zymergen (NASDAQ: ZY) where she led the company’s engagement with the Administration and Congress. Osterlind also spent time at USDA, where she served as Chief of Staff both for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs and for the Agricultural Marketing Service; and on Capitol Hill where she worked for Senator Roy Blunt from her home state of Missouri.

“It’s an exciting time in the U.S. food and agriculture sector, as the U.S. government focuses on innovation and modernization, in order to ensure that industry can safely feed and clothe a rapidly growing world.”

Carmen Rottenberg

Carmen Rottenberg is a leader in food safety and agriculture policy. Prior to launching Groundswell Strategy, Carmen served as Administrator of USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, leading the ten-thousand-person agency charged with ensuring the safety of the nation’s meat, poultry and egg products. Over her thirteen years with USDA, Carmen held several leadership roles at the Department and was credited with spearheading key agency initiatives including modernizing food safety inspection systems and establishing and updating pathogen performance standards. Carmen has extensive experience achieving collaboration across federal, state, and municipal agencies including with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), with state departments of agriculture and across USDA’s 29 agencies and offices.

Carmen began her federal career in the Federal Trade Commission’s Office of General Counsel and has experience working in both the public and private sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and a Juris Doctor Degree from American University’s Washington College of Law.

Anna Osterlind Jones

Anna brings over a decade of experience across the agriculture and biotechnology sectors through roles that span Capitol Hill, Silicon Valley, and trade and regulatory agencies at USDA. Before joining Groundswell Strategy, Anna was Head of Government Affairs for publicly-traded biomanufacturing company Zymergen (NASDAQ: ZY) where she led the company’s engagement with the Administration and Congress and saw its growth from 40 to more than 800 employees. Anna also held multiple roles within the United States Department of Agriculture, including as Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, as Chief of Staff to the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, and in USDA’s Office of Congressional Relations. During her time at USDA she worked on a diverse range of issues including helping to launch the domestic hemp industry and facilitating communication between the Hill and the Department through the 2018 Farm Bill process.

Anna started her career on Capitol Hill working for Senator Roy Blunt from her home state of Missouri. She holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Missouri.

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Groundswell Strategy
1919 South Eads St., Suite 201
Arlington, VA 22202-3028