Kathleen directs, gathers and inspires changemakers to develop ideas that lead to tangible improvements in the health of people and the planet.

As a non-profit executive and a connector of feminist leaders, Kathleen is passionate about advancing food, environmental and gender justice.

Kathleen is the President of the Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming and the Founder of Pleiades, a national constellation of women changemakers. An experienced non-profit leader, connector and network builder, she is particularly interested in empowering women and historically marginalized individuals to address our most pressing issues, especially humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Kathleen lives in the Hudson Valley of New York with her partner the food writer and activist Mark Bittman and often visits her homeland of Bermuda. They are currently traveling globally and writing about their discoveries on this blog.

Kathleen is currently writing about her global travels on this blog and is available as a speaker, advisor or collaborator on various topics, including:

Environmental Sustainability
Women’s Empowerment and Leadership
Regional Food Systems
Regenerative Agriculture
Food Sovereignty, Climate Crisis and Agriculture
Shifting the Paradigm of Power in the Environmental Sector
Women-centered Facilitation
Non-profit Leadership
Network Formation and Facilitation

Glynwood logo

President | Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming

Non-profit organization in NY focused on creating a just, equitable and healthy regional food system
glynwood.org

Pleiades Network logo

Founder, Board Member | Pleiades

International network of women leaders addressing environmental and social justice issues
pleiadesnetwork.org

Planet Women

Special Advisor | Planet Women

An international conservation NGO resourcing women-led efforts to save the planet
planetwomen.org

Connected Women Leaders

Member | Connected Women Leaders, Rockefeller Foundation

A cohort curated across geographies, generations, expertise and experience to convene forums on some of the world’s most urgent threats
connectedwomenleaders.com

American Academy Rome logo

Visiting Scholar | American Academy of Rome

Identified commonalities and opportunities in the regional food system of Lazio that can inform and inspire improvements in the United States.
aarome.org

Oxfam logo

Member | Oxfam Sisters on the Planet

American women who use their influence to fight global poverty, hunger, and injustice, with a particular focus on empowering women and girls worldwide.
oxfamamerica.org

From the blog

Recent Posts
The people (and dogs) you meet: Greece
The people (and dogs) you meet: Greece
Read More →
Athens + Deep Mani, Greece
Athens + Deep Mani, Greece
Read More →
People you meet:India
People you meet:India
Read More →

  • "Kathleen inspires others to be their authentic selves. She has created a network of fierce women devoted to leadership and system changes that elevates the voices and power of women. As a leader and catalyst for change, we believe in her because she believes in us."

    —KAREN WASHINGTON,
    Farmer and Food Justice Activist

  • “Kat Finlay’s leadership of Glynwood has positioned it as the go-to place to learn about regenerative farming. She has a rare understanding of the theory and practice of sustainable agriculture and its importance for making the food system better for people and the planet.”

    —MARION NESTLE
    Professor of nutrition, food studies, and public health, emerita, NYU, and author of books about food politics.

  • "Kathleen is one of our most progressive thinkers about why regional food systems are more just, equitable and healthy - and her leadership at Glynwood is proving that when we create the right incentives and resources, that vision is possible." 

    – RICARDO SALVADOR
    Director, Food and Environment Program, Union of Concerned Scientists

  • Kathleen Finlay is not only pioneering and brave, but smart as well, so her innovative ideas become realities. She seems to thrive on achieving the apparently impossible, pulling together remarkable coalitions that work toward the goal of creating a Hudson Valley Food System that works for everyone--producers, consumers and communities.

    —JOAN GUSSOW,
    Professor. Author, Food Policy Expert

  • "Kathleen is a dreamer, doer and manifester. Her work at Glynwood is a marvel, impacting everyone involved in the food and farm ecosystem. She is also lifting up the power and voices of women in a totally unprecedented way."

    —SUNNY BATES,
    Connector, Author, Serial Entrepreneur

Public Engagement

  • The New York Times Logo

    New York Times

    How ‘Fairy Tale’ Farms Are Ruining Hudson Valley Agriculture

    Read

  • Rachel Carson Award for Women in Conservation

    2023 Recipient of this National Audubon Award

    Watch
  • Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg podcast graphic

    Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg

    Kathleen Finlay Discusses Regional Farming, COVID-19

    Listen
  • US Department of State

    Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues

    Innovations in Farming

    Listen
  • The Boston Globe logo

    The Boston Globe

    Coronavirus Pandemic Should Shift Our Focus To A More Locally Sourced Food Supply

    Read
  • Future in Sound podcast graphic

    Future in Sound

    Kathleen Finlay: Regenerative Agriculture

    Listen
  • At a Distance podcast graphic

    At a Distance

    Kathleen Finlay on the Vast Potential of Regenerative Agriculture

    Listen
  • Stylized photo of Kathleen Finlay

    The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine

    How to Make Food Pantries More Nourishing

    Read

  • Cook Pod

    Episode 009: Kathleen Finlay

    Listen
  • Kuni A Japanese Vision and Practice for Urban Rural Reconnection

    Kuni

    Forward by Kathleen Finlay

    read