As a senior leader in the produce industry, I brought brand and retail & shopper marketing teams together to work in the most collaborative of ways. In my role, I focused on Category and Consumer insights to create relevant marketing campaigns for retail, foodservice, nutrition, sustainability and packaging.The strategies and initiatives I developed also allowed the longest-standing agricultural cooperative in the nation to compete in the international market, increasing sales by 40% in South Korea, introducing e-commerce programs to stay competitive in China and growing its Market Access Program (MAP) reach in 12 key export markets.I built my 20-plus-year marketing and communications repertoire around creating strategic programs and leading high-performing teams for a variety of business sectors—which included produce, food & beverage, lifestyle, entertainment, and aviation. Plus, I have provided the tools and training to 50+ business developers and countless sales professionals over the years. In 2018, I pointed my compass back home to California and joined the vibrant produce industry.Two principles resonate with me: think differently and have fun. This roadmap to finding solutions and celebrating successes has driven me throughout my marketing and communications career. I have been a servant-leader for over a decade, which has been especially important in times of change and crisis management.