Wholesum — a Southern Arizona-based, third-generation organic family produce operation — announced the graduation of the first cohort of its new internal leadership development program, NextGen Academy, on Sept. 2.
This initiative is designed to nurture the potential of employees who seek to grow both professionally and personally within the company, according to Wholesum. The inaugural edition of the program concluded in spring 2025 with the graduation of four outstanding participants.
“Our priority is to prepare participants with the tools, and the knowledge that previous leaders didn’t always have access to, due to the absence of a structured educational process,” Tina Federico, assistant sales manager at Wholesum Family Farms, said in a news release. “This program is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how Wholesum operates, ensuring they can transition into leadership smoothly and with greater support.”
NextGen was born from Wholesum’s commitment to emphasize continuous growth and proactivity, and the initiative aims to prepare the next generation of leaders, says the company, which adds that it was created with the vision that every team member, regardless of their current role, can develop the skills necessary to take on new challenges as leadership opportunities arise.
The program is an employee-led initiative coordinated by Federico. Applications were open to all Wholesum facilities and received submissions from employees across various departments. Through an interview and evaluation process, four individuals with high potential and proven performance were selected, the company says. The graduates of this first cohort are:
- Brenda Nava, accountant at Wholesum Family Farms
- Eddie López, operations at Wholesum Family Farms
- Jaset Parada, quality assurance coordinator at Wholesum Farms Arizona
- Joaquín Alfredo Campos Noriega, greenhouse supervisor at Wholesum Farms Sonora
The NextGen training was divided into two phases. The first phase is focused on universal courses covering interpersonal and leadership skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and teamwork, delivered through Schoox, an online learning platform. In the second phase, each participant received a personalized specialization plan and was paired with an internal mentor from the company.
Throughout this process, they faced real-world challenges and participated in integrative projects with a direct impact on the company’s operations, the company says.
“It’s a great opportunity because it teaches you things you don’t learn in school. I stepped out of my bubble and now understand the impact my work has on other areas. I feel seen and valued by the company,” Nava says.
Wholesum says it is solidifying NextGen Academy as an annual program led by the People and Culture department. The team is committed to continuously evolving the program, refining it with each cohort to ensure it remains dynamic, relevant, and impactful, according to the company.
With the success of this inaugural class, Wholesum says it is ready to open applications in fall 2025 for the next generation of changemakers who will carry forward the company’s values and drive its vision into the future.
