Pablo Ramirez is the Chief of Party (COP) for the Cacao for Development Project (C4D). He is a professional with a diverse background in agricultural and supply chain management. Originally from Colombia, he completed his undergraduate studies in Animal Sciences, with a specialization in Financial Evaluation of Agricultural Projects. This provided him with a solid foundation to understand the financial aspects of agricultural operations.
Early in his career, Pablo gained invaluable experience in the coffee, dairy, and aquaculture supply chains. He worked for both international and local NGOs, where he focused on addressing environmental concerns and improving productivity in these sectors. His experience in these areas led him to further his education in the United States.
Pablo successfully earned an MBA from the University of Illinois and a Master’s in Agribusiness from Texas A&M, further honing his entrepreneurial skills and deepening his understanding of the agricultural industry. Following his academic achievements, he went on to work in the soybean and beef supply chains in the United States, gaining first-hand experience in managing complex supply networks.
Recognizing his passion for sustainable and ethical sourcing practices, Pablo joined Starbucks as the Manager of Ethical Sourcing Programs. In this role, he played a key role in developing and implementing verification standards for C.A.F.E. Practices and Cacao Practices, fostering continuous improvement initiatives, and promoting financial inclusion among farmers. Notably, he successfully managed and expanded the Global Farmers Fund, securing a USD 50 million investment.
Building on his success at Starbucks, Pablo served as the Director of Blended Finance for Winrock International. In this capacity, he led coffee and cacao programs in West Africa and Southeast Asia, focusing on leveraging innovative financial approaches to drive sustainable agricultural practices and empower local communities.
Pablo’s expertise in procurement and responsible sourcing led him to take on the role of Director of Procurement for Chipotle Mexican Grill. With a global reach, he directed procurement activities worldwide and oversaw responsible sourcing programs for agricultural materials. His strategic leadership ensured the company’s commitment to sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients.
Pablo’s leadership and expertise currently play a critical role in the USDA’s Cacao for Development Project (C4D), an ambitious USD 25 million investment in cacao and complementary crops in Colombia. He currently leads the implementation of the project, which includes value chain analysis, living income, and carbon initiatives, as well as the creation of an extensive cacao business intelligence database, conducting approximately 20,000 farm visits annually to support knowledge exchange and improve farmers’ access to information. C4D includes a carbon offset component to bring farmers associated with the project into voluntary international carbon markets. Successful partnerships with the private sector have been achieved, securing 10% of the total project value as a contribution. Additionally, he leads a consulting team in developing a USD 7 million blended finance plan, fostering sustainable financing solutions. Under his direction, the project has achieved significant milestones, including the monetization of 83,000 tons of wheat and the establishment of responsible sourcing programs for three value chains.
His leadership includes overseeing a team of 69 people, directly and indirectly, contributing to the overall success of the project. In terms of impact, the initiative affects 74 producer organizations, positively impacting approximately 5,500 farms.