Meet the Team
Nikki Cossio Founder & CEO (Salinas, CA)
CEO and Founder of Measure to Improve, LLC (MTI), Nikki is well known in the fresh produce industry for building successful sustainability programs, finding innovative solutions, and fostering supply-chain-wide collaboration that drives the industry forward. Drawing on her roots as part of a multi-generational California farming family, Nikki possesses a profound understanding of sustainability that spans generations. When it comes to sustainability, Nikki likes to walk the talk, which is why she pushed MTI to earn its B-Corp certification in 2023.
Nikki's influence extends beyond MTI. She is currently a board member of the California Ag Leadership Foundation and a member of the Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops Coordinating Council, which supports emerging on-farm sustainability metrics for specialty crops. Nikki has previously chaired the Sustainability Council for the International Fresh Produce Association, served on the sustainability committee and Board of Directors of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), and chaired the Center for Global Produce Sustainability. In 2011, Nikki founded the Monterey County Sustainability Working Group to exchange current and successful sustainability efforts among agricultural producers and processors on California's Central Coast.
Nikki's outstanding leadership and contributions to the agricultural sector were recognized in 2019 when she was featured in the Packer 25 Profiles in Leadership for the ag industry.
Cheri Chastain | Strategic Advisor (Chico, CA)
Cheri Chastain joined MTI in 2023 as a Strategic Advisor and brings over 17 years’ experience in sustainability and climate leadership to the team. Focusing on carbon neutrality, climate resilience, and community connectivity, Cheri has demonstrated leadership in both the public and private sectors. She has successfully implemented programs and projects in renewable energy generation, water conservation, alternative transportation adoption, zero waste, and greenhouse gas accounting. She is also a respected leader in policy, governmental and industry-wide efforts. Cheri is skilled in strategic planning and implementation, always keeping the big picture at the forefront of decision-making. Cheri is also a civically-minded steward and has served as the Chair of the City of Chico Climate Action Commission, is a current board member for the non-profit bicycling advocacy organization Chico Velo and was a founding board member of both TRUE Zero Waste and the Glass Recycling Foundation.
Cheri has a BA and MA in environmental and physical geography from CSU, Sacramento and CSU, Chico respectively.
Kyle Cosgrove | Director of Agronomic Services (Paso Robles, CA)
Kyle Cosgrove joined MTI in 2023 as the Director of Agronomic Services and specializes in providing sustainability resources and support to specialty crop producers. As a licensed independent Pest Control Advisor (PCA), Organic Farm Owner and Operator, and Regional Vineyard Manager, Kyle has extensive experience working with growers in a diverse range of specialty crops, specializing in organic and sustainable farming practices. Kyle also worked with the USDA Farm Service Agency, administering on-farm programs in the San Luis Obispo County region, and is a Cal Poly graduate from the Horticulture and Crop Science Department. He is passionate about sustainable farming practices and finding practical solutions to real-world challenges agricultural producers face.
Kieran Ficken McNeice | Director of Sustainability Programs (Trenton, NJ)
Kieran Ficken McNeice joined the MTI team in 2017. Her experience designing and implementing sustainability programs helps her tailor each client's unique goals to maximize their positive impact. Kieran’s commitment to sustainability and transparency keeps her on the cutting edge of the certification landscape. She uses her knack for training and communication to translate complex sustainability topics into user-friendly guides and resources for MTI’s clients.
Always up for a new challenge, her recent work at MTI includes sustainability strategy projects and greenhouse gas emissions inventories. In 2023, Kieran was named to the Packer 25 for her work advancing sustainability in the produce industry. She currently serves in two advisory groups, supporting the development and implementation of third-party sustainability standards.
Kieran holds an MBA in Global Impact Management and an MA in International Environmental Policy from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies; she received her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont. Kieran’s academic work includes research on sustainability in the global soy and coffee supply chains, as well as agricultural development in Russia’s Far East. You can find her gardening, or on LinkedIn.
Corinne Carney | Senior Sustainability Program Manager (Santa Barbara, CA)
Corinne Van Dyke has worked with MTI since 2018. She is focused on reducing the environmental, social, and economic impacts of resource consumption and disposal in the agricultural industry. She works with a variety of agricultural operations, including on-farm operations, packing and processing facilities, and corporate offices to drive positive, sustainable change. Corinne is a Certified TRUE Advisor and supports clients in accomplishing TRUE Zero Waste Certifications by achieving a 90% diversion rate of materials from landfill. She collaborates with cross-functional teams to identify areas to reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as possible. Her focus also extends into the quickly evolving sustainable packaging arena. She guides clients in establishing and working towards sustainable packaging goals that align with consumer demands and improve sustainability efforts. She is a firm believer that data serves as the underlying foundation for any sustainability program. Corinne enjoys creating simple, manageable ways to help clients track, measure, improve, and report their sustainability progress and accomplishments.
Gabe Worthington | Sustainability Program Manager (Roseville, CA)
Gabe initially joined the team in May of 2023 as an apprentice and was later hired as a full time Sustainability Program Manager in January of 2024. Gabe has been involved in supporting various projects in his time at Measure to Improve, including buyer surveys and assisting specialty crop producers with their sustainability efforts. He is wrapping up his M.S. degree at Chico State, where he is conducting research on the viability of small-seeded Faba bean lines in California cover crop mixes. Gabe’s undergraduate degree is from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where he studied Soil Science with minors in Water Science and Sustainability. He has been involved in agricultural research for much of his career, where he gained skills in data processing and analysis. Gabe also has a background in the management of agricultural operations and is passionate about maximizing the sustainability of global food systems.
Kubir Sandhu | Sustainability Program Technician (Durham, CA)
Kubir Sandhu joined the MTI team in November 2024. Kubir has a background in perennial crops such as walnuts, almonds, and olives. He recently graduated from Chico State with an M.S. degree in Agronomy. His research focused on how water deficits impact the yield and physiology of olive orchards. Kubir also has a B.S. in Molecular Biology from Chico State. His agricultural research and data analysis experience, coupled with his extensive in-the-field experience across agricultural operations make him a valuable addition to the team.
Julie Flanders | Bookkeeper
Julie Flanders has been a bookkeeper at Measure to Improve since 2019, where she plays a crucial role in managing the company's financial records. With her previous experience as a CFO and CPA, Julie brings valuable expertise to the team. She holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Santa Clara University and continues to contribute to the success and growth of the company.
Heather Pierce | Human Resources
A native of South Carolina, Heather returned to the Lowcountry after attending Hollins College and earning a BA in Sociology. She has worn many HR hats, including recruiting, benefits administration, employee relations and then leading teams in a variety of industries. Heather received her MBA and a Master of Science in Project Management, both from the Citadel. She holds her SPHR, SHRM-SCP, PMP and is a certified Mentor. She and her husband spend time on the water with their two dogs.