Meet the Team Behind
Heirloom Cacao.

A global network of scientists, farmers, chocolate professionals, and nonprofit leaders working together to identify, celebrate, and preserve the world’s finest cacao.

Anne Zaczek

Anne Zaczek

Executive Director of the Heirloom Cacao

Preservation Fund since 2018

With over 14 years of experience in international agricultural development, Anne is passionate about amplifying the voices and stories of farmers at the source. She works tirelessly to support the discovery, identification, propagation, and sustainable cultivation of the most exquisite cacao varieties, ensuring their rich flavors and unique genetic traits endure for future generations.

With over 14 years of experience in international agricultural development, Anne is passionate about amplifying the voices and stories of farmers at the source.

Email :anne@hcpcacao.org
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Alyssa D’Adamo

Alyssa D’Adamo

Managing Director of the Heirloom Cacao

Preservation Fund since 2021

Alyssa is the Managing Director of the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund (HCP), where she blends a decade of award-winning documentary filmmaking with strategic leadership. Building on her successful tenure as HCP's Communications Director, she now oversees the organization's global operations and the rigorous Heirloom Selection process. Today, she leads the HCP’s mission from the ground up—working closely with farmers and in-country liaisons to monitor programs that ensure the integrity of every Heirloom Selection. By curating deep-rooted relationships within the chocolate industry, Alyssa continues to use her creative lens to elevate the voices of producers and inspire global action for fine flavor and environmental resilience.

Email :alyssa@hcpcacao.org
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"I’m proud of the clarity HCP has gained—clarity in our mission, in our priorities, and in where we can have the greatest impact. Each year, we continue to refine our focus, deepen our partnerships, and strengthen how we support farmers while protecting heirloom cacao for the long term. The future of HCP is rooted in collaboration, thoughtful, research-informed approaches, and a shared commitment to conservation that keeps farming communities at the center of this work and carries it forward for generations."

— Anne ZaczekExecutive Director of the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund

Why Heirloom Cacao Matters

The Heirloom Cacao Designation is more than a recognition — it’s a scientific and cultural commitment to protecting cacao’s finest genetics and flavor diversity. Recognized by the USDA and supported by a global network of farmers and chocolate makers, HCP works to safeguard varieties that define the heritage of fine chocolate.

By choosing Heirloom cacao, you support sustainable farming, biodiversity, and the preservation of the world’s most exceptional flavors.

11 in all

HCP Tasting Panel

The HCP's rigorous evaluation process begins with anonymous cacao bean samples, uniformly transformed into chocolate at the historic Guittard Chocolate Company.

​A highly skilled international tasting panel, composed of ten experts with over 15 years of experience each, conducts a blind flavor analysis. These connoisseurs, collectively possessing over 250 years of expertise, meticulously assess each sample for exceptional flavor profiles.

The objective of our tasting panel is to identify cacao with specific genetics or combined genetics and terroir that has complex and distinctive positive flavors that do not normally exist in cacao found in the world.

In Loving Memory of Ed Seguine

A pioneer in cocoa research and development, Ed was instrumental in preserving Heirloom cacao varieties. His unwavering commitment to the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund spanned over a decade, leading our organization and a panel of world-class chocolate experts. In 2013, Ed founded Seguine Cacao Cocoa & Chocolate Advisors to provide essential guidance to the cocoa growing and artisan chocolate-making communities. With over 40 years of experience, Ed was a master of unlocking the full flavor potential of cocoa beans, from tree selection to roasting. His expertise greatly impacted farmers, cooperatives, and companies worldwide.

Rooted in Heritage,for the Future of Cacao

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