Packer 25 2021 — Claudia Harumi Kuniyoshi
How did you get your start in the produce industry?
I was in the Midwest and decided I wanted to do greenhouse research. I was studying crop protection for corn and soybeans. I love to cook, and I wanted to get exposed to vegetables, so that’s how I got into research and development in California, for big companies. But when we were in fields, we weren’t close to the consumer. I was looking for something in organic innovation, vegetables and closer to the consumer … [Wholesum] was what I was looking for, so I jumped on board. I love the values of the company, its mission.
What roles have you held during you career?
Before graduate studies, I worked in Peru [for Farmex] for three years. I worked for Bayer, which bought Monsanto/De Ruiter/Seminis vegetable seeds, but for processed foods. Now it’s Bayer-De Ruiter. Then I worked for Dow AgriSciences, and all these mergers happened. Dow joined Dupont. And I had a chance for a leadership role and to do predictive ag with startups to help breeders and for consumers. It opened up opportunities.
How would you describe your current role?
As director of R&D, I’m responsible for developing sound data using the scientific method to help my stakeholders — internal and external — to make better decisions in production, marketing and commercial. I develop a team of professionals to support that by creating the department of R&D at Wholesum and creating collaborations and partnerships with supplier companies, universities and NGOs.
What do you hope to accomplish/contribute through that role?
To take Wholesum to the next level, to make it grow as a company.
What industry groups are you involved with?
I was involved with the Entomology Society of America … and the West Coast chapter alumni association for El Zamorano University … I may mentor another woman and want to mentor more minority groups; it’s something I see is missing, at least in this area [of Arizona]. I want to do STEM outreach for children; I did that internally for a company in the past, inviting kids onto the research farm and giving them an activity.
What does leadership mean to you?
To inspire others to do what they do best and lead by example. You have to walk the talk.
What's a little-known or fun fact about you?
I love to Latin dance — salsa, merengue, bachata — and cook Peruvian food.
What's your favorite efficiency hack?
I’m into this world of meditation. I wake up and do it every morning. They say every minute you invest in meditation, you get nine minutes back.
If you had to pick one fruit or vegetable to eat every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Tomatoes. I love to use them for sauces, pico de gallo, gazpacho, lomo
