In this role, she leads a global team in continually improving the company’s worldwide model to safely deliver Aviagen broiler breeding stock to customers, while effectively navigating international trade and logistics regulations.

Under Diane’s leadership, her team will have responsibility for United States and United Kingdom exports, as well as global trade compliance and government relations. The focus will be to build processes based on internal and external best practices, with a goal of a seamless customer experience and real-time management of the export process.

Hartjes comes to Aviagen with a background in international supply chain and trade compliance expertise. Her most recent role was Vice President, Trade and Compliance, for a $4 billion U.S. retailer. She led the organization’s strategic compliance, sourcing and supply chain initiatives throughout Asia. Before that, she served in various positions of increasing responsibility, allowing her to develop functional expertise in import, global and domestic vendor management, strategic sourcing, contract negotiations, logistics management and forecasting.

Hartjes earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, majoring in Communications and French.

“Security of supply to our customers is a foremost priority for Aviagen,” explained Jan Henriksen, CEO, Aviagen. “The poultry value chain is often challenged by trade barriers, including Avian Influenza outbreaks, natural disasters and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. Diane has the experience and an innovative mindset to help fortify our ongoing endeavor to overcome obstacles to trade, continuing to offer our customers around the world with robust, reliable poultry breeding stock.”