The International Fresh Produce Association Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference Pacific Northwest Regional event will return to Yakima, Wash., on May 21, bringing together women from across the fresh produce and agriculture industries for a day centered on leadership, growth and meaningful connection.
Held at The Crown Ballroom in Yakima, the event is expected to welcome more than 225 attendees following a sold-out inaugural conference in 2025. The regional event was created to make leadership development and industry connection more accessible for women throughout the Pacific Northwest produce community.
This year’s sessions are focused on courage, clarity and leading from within, based on the idea that leadership is not defined by title, but by influence, courage, responsibility and the way people show up for others each day, according to IFPA. That message extends beyond the stage and into the attendee experience itself, including custom-designed guided questions and activities that will help attendees take this experience home with them.
“This event was intentionally built to feel real and approachable,” says Catherine Gipe-Stewart, co-chair of the event. “We wanted to create a space where people could hear honest stories, build authentic relationships and recognize the leadership they already carry into their everyday work and lives.”
“What I’m most looking forward to is the energy in the room watching incredible women come together, build relationships and have those ‘wait, me too’ moments that remind us we’re not alone. It takes all of us,” says Carrie Mack, event co-chair.
The conference agenda includes keynote speaker Wendy McManus presenting “Lead From the Inside Out,” which will focus on cultivating resilience, confidence and practical leadership skills.
“Women in the produce industry navigate complexity every day, from the field to the executive suite,” McManus says. “I’m honored to join this incredible community of women and talk about something I believe deeply: that leadership starts inside. Regardless of our role, we make a bigger impact when we lead ourselves first.”
Additional sessions include a leadership panel exploring how leadership shows up in everyday moments and a career advancement panel that is centered on nonlinear career paths, growth opportunities and stepping into new challenges before feeling fully ready. Moderated discussions were intentionally designed to prioritize authentic conversation over polished answers, IFPA says.
The conference is scheduled to conclude with a networking reception and continued community gathering, reinforcing the event’s broader mission of fostering mentorship, connection and leadership development across the fresh produce industry.
Attendees from across the fresh produce and agriculture industries are encouraged to join the conversation and secure their spot via the event’s registration page.
IFPA notes that all attendees must register in advance using their own personal electronic device prior to arriving on-site. There will be no on-site registration kiosks available at the event; only badge pickup will be available on-site.
