The Transatlantic Consume Dialogue (TACD) is a vibrant network and forum for 76 EU and U.S. consumer and digital rights organisations. Anna Fielder, who has been at the helm of its secretariat for two decades, will be stepping down this year; Léa Auffret has been appointed by the Steering Committee as the next TACD director.

Léa will take full charge from 1st September. She is no stranger to TACD, as she has been the EU Chair of its Trade Committee for several years and has worked tirelessly to represent the consumer interest on its behalf for over ten years. Léa is currently the Head of International Affairs at BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation and will continue part time also in this capacity after she takes charge of the TACD secretariat. She has great knowledge of consumer policy and is a well-loved community manager.

Isabelle Buscke (vzbv) and Susan Weinstock (Consumer Federation of America), co-chairs of the TACD, commented:

“We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Anna Fielder for her remarkable leadership and unwavering commitment to TACD over the past two decades. Under her guidance, TACD has grown into a strong and respected voice for consumer and digital rights on both sides of the Atlantic. Now more than ever, standing together to defend consumer rights and democratic values is crucial, and we look forward to working with Léa, who has the background and skills to continue this vital mission.”

Léa Auffret said:

“I am truly honoured to become TACD’s director and to work with its members to continue to defend people’s rights in these troubled times. TACD is an amazing network which gathers passionate advocates fighting to protect people’s rights on both sides of the Atlantic. They work together to bring evidence of unfair business practices and urge authorities to act together, leading to concrete changes on the transatlantic market. Today, they are the brave voice calling against the use of tariffs as leverage to weaken laws that protect people.”

Anna Fielder commented:

“While my future priorities will lie elsewhere, I will be happy to continue supporting this important movement as a foot-soldier. Léa will be a brilliant TACD network leader, and I am happy she agreed to take over. She has deep knowledge of the U.S.-EU policies, is a committed consumer advocate and well-liked by our members. Currently we are crossing a bridge over very troubled waters both for consumer and digital rights and protections, and democracy generally. So, the need to support each other, work together and act together has never been more important.”

More information:

The Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) is a unique network, a convenor for likeminded and forward-thinking consumer and civil society groups, independent of business or government. TACD provides a platform for NGOs to develop and agree on common views, promote and advocate for the consumer and wider public interest, and to provide that perspective in EU-U.S. economic and political negotiations. TACD has 76 members accross the EU and in the U.S.

About Léa:

Léa has contributed to developing TACD’s trade policy which led to concrete recommendations for a people centric transatlantic relationship. She has been the TACD trade committee co-chair for several years. She is also Head of international affairs at BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation, where she has been working for a decade.  Her work on trade has led her to work on many policy areas such as climate, digital, international cooperation, food, financial services and customs.

Léa holds a Master’s degree in international Affairs with a specialization on International Trade from Le Havre University in France and a Master’s degree in European Politics and Administration from the College of Europe in Bruges. Prior to joining TACD, Léa acquired experience in France, Latin America and Brussels.