Q. How are you involved in the almond industry?
A. I work in Grower Relations for RPAC, LLC, covering the Northern San Joaquin and Sacramento Valley. My focus is supporting almond growers throughout the season, whether that's marketing their crop, working through logistics, or just being a reliable resource when they need one. It's relationship-driven work, and that's what I enjoy most about it.
Q. 2. How did you get involved with the Almond Leadership Program and how many years have you been a mentor?
A. I was selected for the 2022 class, which was a great experience. Since going through the program, I've pushed several colleagues at RPAC to apply, and I've stayed active as an alumni supporting program events. This is my first year as a mentor, and honestly it feels like a natural next step after seeing firsthand what the program can do for someone early in their career.
Q. 3. What is your favorite part of being a mentor in the Almond Leadership Program?
A. Getting a window into someone else's world. The program pulls people from every corner of the industry, equipment sales, farming, processing, ag lending, you name it. As a mentor, you're not just guiding someone else, you're staying educated across sectors you might not interact with day to day. Those connections keep all of us sharper, and that's good for the whole industry.
Q. 4. What is your favorite memory during your time as a mentor?
A. The first day with the new class. There's something about that room that takes me right back to being in their shoes. You can feel the mix of nerves and excitement, people sizing each other up, wondering who they'll connect with and what the next stretch of time is going to bring. Seeing that wonder and energy in the mentees on day one, knowing what's ahead of them, is genuinely one of my favorite moments in the program.
Q. 5. What advice do you have for new almond leaders?
A. Find your true voice and figure out where it best serves you. We all hear that we need to tell our story, and that's true, but a lot of people's stories start to sound the same. What actually cuts through is knowing what makes you distinctly you and learning how to present that in a way that connects with people you wouldn't normally find yourself in the same room with. That's where real opportunity lives.
Q. 6. How do you like to eat almonds?
A. I can never pick just one. An almond croissant in the morning, raw kernels to snack on throughout the day, and dark chocolate covered ones after dinner. It covers all the bases.
