CARLSBAD, CA - As I sat on the flight from Sacramento to Southern California, I found myself in the center of a paradox many of us feel, whether we are crossing the threshold of a conference, a meeting, a tough conversation, or the first step in a journey. There is both fear and excitement, anxiety and curiosity. Our ability to hold such competing emotions is what makes moments like the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference (WFPC) so poignant and necessary. We all walk into them with a tapestry of our lives wrapped around our shoulders, and maybe, by the end of the event, we come to understand more about the patterns, the fabric, and the intention we have threaded into our lives.

Most of us find ourselves at the intersection of many life choices—and even a few reckonings. For me, I was dealing with the loss of my mother while trying to become a better one, navigating leadership that was both beautiful and challenging, and relationships that were evolving in ways I couldn’t control—shifting, stretching, and asking more of me than I sometimes felt ready to give. Stepping into the conference, for many, including myself, feels like returning home—one built by Cathy Burns, Chief Executive Officer of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), the WFPC committee, and IFPA team.

"It is my hope that women are transformed by attending this conference. If they are open to it, it will happen. I attend every year, and every year I leave a ‘new me.’ New tools, new ways to approach barriers, new perspectives on similar issues, even new energy—we all leave with skills that we can put into action right away and add even more value to our organizations. The conference also served as the launching point for our women’s mentoring program, and I want to see that continue to grow and evolve to meet the needs of both female mentors and mentees," Cathy Burns, Chief Executive Officer of the International Fresh Produce Association, shared with me.

The conference unfolded with an intentional rhythm, beginning with opening remarks from Co-Chairs Carrie Mack, Senior Sourcing Manager, Apples and Pears at Walmart, and Beth Keeton, Founder of Elephant House PR, who set the tone with an invitation not just to attend, but to be present—to engage, connect, and lean into shared experiences and the relationships built through presence and camaraderie.

From there, Melissa J. Nixon, Founder of The Courage Company, opened the morning’s sessions by challenging attendees to reconsider how they protect their time, values, and boundaries—reframing them not as limitations, but as essential tools for shaping our own paths of performance and personal clarity.

Melissa then introduced Erin King, Author, Researcher, and Creator of The Energy Exam, who encouraged attendees to take stock of where their energy is being depleted and to build boundaries that sustain both confidence and performance—removing the rocks that block the stream of personal energy already flowing through us. Such a task takes courage.

“It’s hard if you say yes. It’s hard if you say no. Choose your hard. Choose your growth,” Erin explained.

Claire Wasserman, Founder of Ladies Get Paid, invited a reframing of our relationship with money, aligning it more closely with self-worth and long-term values. For me, this was the most surprising of the morning’s sessions, as Claire combined financial psychology with body awareness and intuition to explore the underlying beliefs that drive us, the stories that shape our lives, and how we can create space within that process for change.

Melissa continued her opening discussion with a workshop where she shared practical tools to
move beyond surface-level networking and build meaningful professional relationships—not just through follow-up, but through intentional follow-through. Participants discovered strategies for stronger conversations, confidence in connecting, and purposeful network expansion.

One of the many defining messages for my colleague Melissa De Leon Chavez in this session was, "Currency is not money, currency is relationships.”

The room leaned in during these conversations, and we all seemed pulled toward something magical together.

“Connection doesn’t require you to be someone different,” Melissa J. Nixon shared. “It asks for you to show up as yourself, with intention.”

More sessions expanded on themes ranging from Colette Carlson’s message—that performing confidence is not the same as being courageous—to deeper alignment with our values, passions, and expectations, especially amid burnout and mounting demands.

Women in Leadership: Unplugged brought attendees together for an intimate moment of truth and clarity with Cathy Burns and industry panelists Julie Olivarria, Vice President of Produce at Sysco; Lisa Hearne, Senior Vice President of Foodservice Sales and Marketing at Taylor Farms; Jenny Maloney, Global-Americas Strategic Accounts Manager at Bayer CropScience; and Amy Desperito, Director of Sales and Mass Market at Natural Flowers Inc. Real-world leadership challenges and shared experiences were explored through the lens of these women and their diverse paths.

A Girls' Night In reception, followed by painted tattoos, cocktails, drinks, and networking. And this was all just day one.

Day two was its own magic, defining a range of women’s experiences from reframing and finding our worth in new ways to perimenopause and menopause.

A staggeringly beautiful keynote by Princess Sarah Culberson, Co-Founder of Sierra Leone Rising, brought a passionate room to its feet as she walked us through her story from adoption to discovery of her royal lineage, then finding purpose in founding a non-profit to support education and the rebuilding of Bumpe High School after the 11-year Blood Diamond war. And amid sharing her incredible experience, Princess Sarah ensured the room had access to actionable areas of growth beyond our titles.

There is, of course, so much more to tell, but I leave it to some of our friends from the conference, whose own hearts found a home in its stories.

Carrie Mack, Senior Sourcing Manager, Apples and Pears, Walmart and Co-Chair of WFPC

“This year’s WFPC left me with two words…and a rock in my pocket. The speakers challenged us to be courageous, protect our energy, and set real boundaries. I’m walking away with a toolbox full of new ideas—but at the end of the day, it’s on me to actually use them. Grateful for the perspective, the reset, and the reminder that growth only happens when you put things into practice.”

Beth Keeton, Founder of Elephant House PR and Co-Chair of WFPC

“Kristina Kuzmic’s message about not picking up other people’s suitcases truly hit home for me. It’s easy—both professionally and personally—to carry the weight of others’ opinions and expectations. Her reminder to simply say 'No, thank you' in your head was powerful. Not every comment or perception is yours to own. We all have our own suitcases to carry—and that’s enough.”

Emily Zirkle, Business Development, Rainier Fruit Company

“I'm of the belief that doing ‘the work’ of personal growth is invaluable—in any career or walk of life. While many of us struggle with the same things, it also brings me so much joy to see each individual find that one perspective that changes everything. Or maybe you've known it all along, and hearing so many other voices say it out loud gives you the courage to act on it.”

Catherine Gipe-Stewart, Director of Marketing, Superfresh Growers®

“Energy, clarity, and alignment. That’s what I’m taking with me from WFPC in Carlsbad this year. These ideas were already present for me, but the speakers sharpened them in a meaningful way. Erin King’s words, ‘Energy is our last truth teller,’ truly stuck. It challenged me to take a closer look at what fuels me versus what drains me across all areas of my life. I’m walking away with a renewed commitment to invest in what energizes me, so I can bring my best to my work, my community, and my family.”

Krista Beckstead, Director of Marketing, Mountain View Fruit Sales

“Being an OG of the industry after over 15 years, this event always makes me excited to meet the newer first time attendees and see them get excited about the industry. My absolute favorite part, though, is seeing all the long-time girlfriends I’ve made throughout the years and catching up with them while making more sparkly memories together.”

Elena Hernandez, Director of Global Marketing, Sun World International

"Attending this women’s conference reminded me how vital it is to take time for yourself. It’s a chance to refill your bucket, reconnect with lifelong industry friends, make new ones, and bring my team along to grow, learn, and feel inspired together."

A huge thank you to IFPA, Carrie Mack, Beth Keeton, Cathy Burns, and everyone else who made this meaningful event a community of memories.