Meet the Team Behind
Heirloom Cacao.

A global network of scientists, farmers, chocolate professionals, and nonprofit leaders working together to protect, 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.zaczek@hcp.com
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Alyssa D’Adamo

Alyssa D’Adamo

Managing Director of the Heirloom Cacao

Preservation Fund since 2021

Alyssa is an award-winning documentarian and videographer committed to using visual storytelling to elevate voices, create positive change, and inspire action. She's also a passionate advocate for consumer education, human rights, and environmental conservation.

As the Communications Director for the HCP since 2021, Alyssa applies her decade of experience to spearhead initiatives that educate consumers about the complexities of the chocolate supply chain. Skillfully combining video production, editing, illustration, and animation, Alyssa crafts compelling narratives.

Email :alyssa@hcpcacao.org
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“We structure our project teams dependent upon what each client and project requires. For larger projects we scale up. Bringing dedicated project management support and adding full-time designers, strategists and engineers as required. For a shorter design sprint, we stay small. Bringing in specialists for specific tasks before rolling off.”

This approach allows us to avoid theoverhead of legacy agencies and assures we deliver unique work that is a direct reflection of the brands and audiences we serve.

— Guittard Chocolate CompanyFounding Partner 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.

Rooted in Heritage,for the Future of Cacao

Contact Us

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