Gwen Jackimek has spent two decades navigating the produce industry, but her latest role finds her exactly where she belongs: at the helm. As the first female chair of the Hass Avocado Board and a veteran executive at Fresh Del Monte, Jackimek’s career has been defined by a laser focus on understanding every stage of the fresh produce supply chain, building strong relationships and championing ambitious goals that have the power to transform the produce industry.
You’ve talked about the importance of “owning the room” and believing in your own expertise. As the first female chair of HAB and senior director of sales for Fresh Del Monte, how do you balance the need for assertive leadership with the collaborative style you advocate for, and what advice do you have for women finding their voice in traditionally male-dominated boardrooms?
Jackimek: Over more than 20 years in the produce industry, I’ve seen a meaningful shift from simply accepting women in leadership roles to truly expecting and valuing their voices. While more doors are open today, preparation is what allows you to step through them with confidence.
Owning the room at the board level comes from preparation and perspective. Assertive leadership isn’t about dominating the conversation; it’s about offering well-informed insights that strengthen collective decision-making. As chair, I’ve learned that effective collaboration comes from understanding the business across multiple channels and the importance of genuinely listening to the diverse viewpoints board members bring.
My advice to women is to do the work to deeply understand the business and governance responsibilities, build strong networks, ask informed questions and speak with confidence, because boards are strongest when diverse perspectives actively shape the conversation.
You encourage emerging leaders to learn the business from the soil to the shelf. Looking back at your career — from sales roles at Dole and Mission Produce to your current role at Fresh Del Monte — what was the most eye-opening lesson you learned early on that still informs your high-level strategic decisions today?
Early in my career, I quickly learned how critical it is to understand every stage of the supply chain — from the field to the consumer — and the relationships that connect it all. My first boss in produce was an exceptional mentor who shared information openly and remained optimistic even in challenging situations. It became clear early on that strong relationships not only made the work more rewarding but also led to better business partnerships and opportunities.
That perspective continues to guide my strategic approach today, reinforcing my belief that effective leadership is grounded in a deep understanding of both the industry’s full supply chain and where the avocado industry is headed next. Our goals are ambitious: to make hass avocados America’s preferred healthy food at every meal, driving growth in per capita consumption while delivering value to consumers and stakeholders. The upcoming Avocado Conference in San Diego this November will provide an important opportunity for continued learning, collaboration and mentoring as we work together toward these goals.
As a graduate of Class 2 of the Hass Avocado Board’s BOLD (Board Leadership Development) program, you are a success story for the initiative. How do you plan to use your platform as chair to evolve this program, and what specific gaps in industry knowledge are you most focused on filling for the next generation of diverse leaders?
The BOLD program has been a clear success, with many graduates going on to serve on boards across the industry. As a Class 2 graduate, I’m a strong advocate for encouraging qualified candidates to apply and for maintaining job-function diversity as a core strength of the program.
As chair, my focus is on building on BOLD’s collaborative foundation by strengthening cross-functional and strategic education — so future board members gain a deeper understanding of governance, financial oversight and how different sectors of the industry connect. Closing these knowledge gaps will better prepare the next generation of diverse leaders to contribute with confidence and perspective at the board level.
Beyond the produce industry, what’s one passion you pursue in life, and why is it important to you?
These days, my passion centers on maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle. As the mother of two boys, our home is constantly in motion — filled with sports, music, pets and plenty of family adventures. I value staying active and engaged, whether that means participating in our school’s annual 5K or simply slowing down to enjoy meaningful, quiet time together as a family. That balance is what keeps me grounded and energized, both personally and professionally.
Learn more about The Packer’s 2026 Women in Produce honorees:
- Beth Atkinson-Keeton — owner, Elephant House PR
- Hilary Craig — director of produce category management, Misfits Market
- Brenda Haught — co-CEO, Creekside Organics
- Danelle Huber — senior marketing manager, CMI Orchards
- Bianca Kaprielian — co-CEO, Creekside Organics
- Erin Mittelstaedt — CEO, The FruitGuys
- Dina Newman — founder, KC Black Urban Growers
- Jonna Parker — vice president of fresh foods group, Circana
