Editor’s note: The following profile is from the 2024 Packer 25, our annual tribute to 25 leaders, innovators and agents of change across the fresh produce supply chain. (You can view all honorees here.) This feature has been edited for length and clarity.
Lauren Cleaner — Manager for consumer public relations, The Wonderful Company
A terrific public relations professional understands impossible deadlines in a way few can. An outstanding PR pro can work a miracle or two to get the job done. Lauren Cleaner of Los Angeles-based The Wonderful Company is the latter, and her passion for storytelling that ultimately moves the needle on produce consumption is profound.
You’re a passionate brand ambassador for The Wonderful Company. What attracted you to a career in produce, and what is your favorite part of your role with the company?
What initially attracted me to a career in produce was the opportunity to promote fresh, wholesome food — it’s rewarding to work for The Wonderful Company because of its genuine commitment to delivering high-quality products that make a positive difference in consumers’ lives.
My favorite part of my role is sharing the story behind our products from seed to store and creating strategic marketing campaigns that increase brand awareness for our full portfolio of brands. From our partnership with Cravings by Chrissy Teigen that educated her audience of culinary enthusiasts about the origin and convenience of Wonderful Seedless Lemons to our award-winning TikTok content for Wonderful Halos, featuring viral trends by our brand mascot, “Hal the Halo,” it’s exciting to be a part of a team that finds creative ways to reach new audiences.
Who has inspired you most in your career and why?
The person who inspired me most in my career is a former supervisor of mine, Dana Cohler Moncrief, who at the early stages of my career believed in my potential and advocated for my growth. She taught me what it means to be a true PR professional and storyteller. Her dedication, mentorship and willingness to invest in my career laid the foundation for where I am today. I’m forever grateful for her guidance and the way she encouraged me to challenge myself, which continues to inspire me to be that same advocate for others.
What is one goal, personal or professional, you’ve set for yourself in the year ahead and how will you achieve it?
One of my main goals is to further develop my leadership skills as I mentor and guide team members who’re starting their careers. I believe that strong leadership is about empowering others to succeed, and I want to be someone who helps others grow in their careers just as I’ve been supported in mine. To achieve this, I plan to take part in more professional development trainings and find opportunities to coach colleagues so I can be an effective leader.
