Southeast Produce Council seeks nominees for new leadership program

The Southeast Produce Council is accepting nominations for its upcoming Next Generation Leadership Academy.

The year-long leadership development program is intended to give up-and-coming leaders a unique approach to conscious leadership ideals and methodologies, including skills and preparation to handle industry challenges with a growth mindset, according to a news release.

Academy participants will be involved with quarterly modules featuring virtually guided events and up to two in-person programming events. The program will also feature content relevant to participants’ leadership challenges.

“When we received an overwhelming number of nominations for our prestigious Next Generation Award last year, we realized the need to transform a single award into a robust leadership program,” SEPC past chairman Raina Nelson, of Westfalia Fruit USA, said in the release. “The Next Generation Leadership Academy is more than a moment, more than a single award and has been thoughtfully designed to recognize, honor and invest in future leaders seeking to be changemakers in the produce industry.”

Nominations can be submitted online before 5 p.m. Dec. 15. Inaugural class members will be named at the General Session & Keynote Luncheon at Southern Exposures 2023 and are schedule to graduate at Southern Exposure 2024.

Nominees should have organizational-level support and meet the following requirements:

• Emerging leader in produce, mid-level manager or above
• Employed in the produce industry for at least four years
• Member in “Good Standing” of the SEPC (A member must actively participate in the SEPC by their attendance, contributions, or both and must be included in SEPC’s membership roll.)
• Must possess a vision for leadership, a strong drive to carry it out and strong communications skills to convey why they believe they would be a good candidate for the program by submitting a short video for selection process

Contact the SEPC at info@seproducecouncil.com or 877-720-SEPC for more information.