College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Community Sustainability

Ali Farra serves as Director, Finance and Human Resources at the Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS). In that position, she coordinates operational and financial programmatic efforts, contributing her expertise in finance and HR information to the decision-making process. She manages all facets of finance and administration, collaborating with PIs and specialists to create an efficient and timely workflow. She leads support staff in the execution of budgeting, accounting, hiring/payroll, purchasing, and travel processing.

Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ali made the move to Michigan State University in the early '90s and never left. After earning her B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife with an emphasis on Conservation Biology, she worked as accounting support staff for two departments on campus before joining CRFS. In September 2019, she combined her passion for the natural world with her business acumen as the Business Operations Manager for CRFS. In March 2024, she stepped into her current role as Director of Finance and Human Resources, where she continues to drive excellence and innovation within the organization.