About Us

Protecting and sustaining the coconut industry for generations to come.

Our Mission

Our mission is to increase coconut communities’ access to economic opportunity by providing the tools and training they need to thrive.

Our Approach

At the Vita Coco Community Foundation, an independent, registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, “tools” are the physical resources and infrastructure that support farmer livelihoods, from seedlings to classrooms and communal hubs. To amplify our impact, we aim to pair each resource with “training” to set communities up for long-term success. This includes training in regenerative agriculture principles that can help protect soil health and biodiversity, educational scholarships, and more.

We do this work because coconut-growing communities are essential to the long-term health of the coconut ecosystem. We believe that when farmers have the resources and knowledge to strengthen their land and livelihoods, entire regions become more resilient.

Building on the legacy of the Vita Coco Project® established in 2014, we invest in long-term solutions for coconut communities around the world. Through strategic work alongside local partners and insight sharing, we support programs that create lasting economic opportunity for farming families.

Why Coconut Communities

Coconut farming supports millions of farmers and their families worldwide and fuels a wide range of global industries, from food and beverages to beauty, textiles, and more. Yet, these communities can face mounting challenges.

Foundation Board

Mike Kirban

President

Michael Kirban, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of the Vita Coco Company, serves as President of the Vita Coco Community Foundation. Drawing on two decades of leadership building Vita Coco and championing sustainable growth, he helps guide the Foundation’s mission to create long-term impact for coconut farming communities.

Rowena Ricalde

Treasurer

Rowena Ricalde, Head of Controllership, North America at Ralph Lauren and former Chief Accounting Officer at the Vita Coco Company, serves as Treasurer of the Vita Coco Community Foundation. She oversees the Foundation’s financial management and governance, ensuring transparency and stewardship across all philanthropic investments.

Jane Prior

Secretary

Jane Prior, Chief Marketing Officer of the Vita Coco Company, serves as Secretary of the Vita Coco Community Foundation. With more than 15 years shaping Vita Coco’s global brand and purpose, she brings deep expertise in communications and consumer engagement to amplify the Foundation’s storytelling and impact.

John Tran

Executive Director & Board Member

John Tran serves as Executive Director of the Vita Coco Community Foundation and Vice President of Social Impact & Sustainability at the Vita Coco Company. He leads the Foundation’s global programs and partnerships, connecting business strategy with on-the-ground impact in coconut farming communities.

Jonathan Burth

Board Member

Jonathan Burth, Chief Operating Officer of the Vita Coco Company, serves on the board of the Vita Coco Community Foundation. With nearly two decades of experience in global operations and supply chain leadership, he helps ensure the Foundation’s initiatives are efficient, scalable, and impactful across sourcing regions.