Daren Abney

Executive Director, U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol®

Daren Abney was appointed to the position of Executive Director of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol in July 2023. As Executive Director, Daren guides the strategic vision and operation of the Trust Protocol. His focus is on supporting farmers in combating climate change through evolving agricultural innovation, textile brands and retailers in their drive to deliver more sustainably produced garments, as well as NGOs and other sustainability initiatives to determine areas of potential collaboration.

Additionally, Daren will oversee activities of the U.S. Climate Smart Cotton Program, a five-year pilot announced as part of the USDA’s Climate Smart initiatives where the Trust Protocol serves as the lead. Daren has 15 years of international experience garnered in organizations across the apparel and fashion industry such as Better Cotton, Textile Exchange, and Lenzing Group.

Daren has a B.A. in Advertising and Marketing from Texas Tech University, and M.A. in Business Administration from West Texas A&M University. Daren and his wife, Andrea, are raising two children in Lubbock, Texas.