Jody Hayden is owner of Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate (GCD) in Empire, Michigan and has devoted her entire career to elevating the specialty coffee and chocolate industries. In 2001, she co-founded Michigan’s first fair trade coffee roaster, Higher Grounds Trading Co, and served several terms on the Board of Directors of Cooperative Coffees. Jody’s passion is to educate consumers about the realities of commodity farming and each year she organizes trips to South America where consumers and farmers can learn about the global cocoa trade firsthand. Jody has led over 30 consumer delegations to coffee and cacao growing regions in Central America, South America and Africa and leads dozens of chocolate classes each year. Jody currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund and volunteers with several local non-profits in the Traverse City, Michigan area. Jody has successfully completed the Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute’s Cacao Grader Intensive course as well as Ecole Chocolat’s Professional Chocolatier and Mastering Chocolate Flavor programs. She also serves on the organizing committee for the Ecuador Cacao and Chocolate Summit.