Orlando, Florida-based Kalera, one of the fastest-growing and largest vertical farming companies in the world, named Andrea M. Weiss as advisor to its board of directors. In this role, Weiss will work closely with Kalera’s Board of Directors as it prepares the firm for a future U.S. listing of its stock.
She also will be presented as a candidate for the board of directors.
Weiss is the CEO and founder of The O Alliance, a consulting firm focused on digital transformation of consumer products and retail businesses. She is considered a pioneer in omni-channel and seamless commerce. Her global client base includes leading brands in Europe, Latin America, Canada and the U.S., as well as global technology and private equity firms.
Prior to founding The O Alliance in 2014, Weiss had a 30-year career with consumer and fashion industry leaders, including as chairman of the board of Madrid-based Grupo Cortefiel, S.A. (now Tendam), chief stores officer of L Brands, president of Guess Inc., and held executive positions with The Walt Disney Co. and ANN Inc.
Presently, Weiss is member of the board of directors of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, where she chairs the public responsibility committee and serves on the audit committee; RPT Realty, where she is on the compensation committee; and O’Reilly Auto Parts and Bed Bath & Beyond where she is on the audit committees. Previously, she also chaired the transformation committee at Bed Bath and Beyond. Her previous public boards include Nutrisystem, Pep Boys, GSI Commerce, Chicos FAS and eDiets, and her board service roles include chair of nominating/governance and compensation committees.
In 2019, Weiss was recognized by Woman Inc. on its Most Influential Corporate Directors list and she was named in 2016 to the NACD D100 list, recognizing the Top 100 Public Directors in the USA. She is a NACD Board Leadership Fellow.
“We are thrilled to have Andrea Weiss join the Kalera team,” said Bjorge Gretland, chairman. “Andrea is among the elite public company directors in the U.S., and she has extensive experience with high-growth companies. We are confident she will add tremendous value.”
“Kalera makes what the world needs today: ‘cleaner than organic’ leafy greens produced in an exceptionally sustainable way. I am excited about having the opportunity to partner with Kalera’s outstanding management team and board to achieve the company’s full potential,” Weiss said.
In addition to her aforementioned business experience, Weiss also has served on numerous civic and non-profit boards, including as chairperson of Delivering Good, a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organization. Weiss received her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Virginia Commonwealth University and her master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. She also did post graduate work at Harvard Business School.
Kalera currently operates two growing facilities in Orlando and a newly opened facility in Atlanta, Georgia, and is building facilities in Houston, Denver, Columbus, Seattle, Minnesota and Hawaii. Kalera is the only controlled environment agricultural company with coast-to-coast facilities being constructed, offering grocers, restaurants, theme parks, airports and other businesses nationwide reliable access to locally grown clean, safe, nutritious, price-stable, long-lasting greens.
Kalera uses a closed-loop irrigation system which enables its plants to grow while consuming 95 percent less water compared to field farming.
Weiss will join as an adviser to the board effective immediately. At a future general meeting of the shareholders she will be presented as a candidate for the board of directors, in preparation for a potential U.S. listing.
