The Southeast Produce Council is excited to embark on the second class of the Next Generation Leadership Academy as an expansion of our industry educational portfolio.
The first year was a great success, and we saw the vision for this program begin to come to life. In years past, we had an overwhelming number of nominations for our prestigious Next Generation Award, we realized the need to transform a single award into a robust leadership program.
The Next Generation Leadership Academy is more than a moment, more than a single award and has been thoughtfully designed to recognize, honor, and invest in future leaders seeking to be changemakers in the produce industry. If you want to build significant personal and professional development into the next phase of your leadership journey, this program is for you!
This year long program will provide participants a unique approach to conscious leadership ideals and methodologies. Participants will develop and galvanize leadership skills and prepare to navigate industry challenges with a growth mindset. The Academy will feature quarterly modules that will include virtually guided events and up to 2 in-person programming events. This program will equip and prepare participants for future leadership responsibilities with content relevant to their leadership challenges.
Applicants should have organizational level support to participate. The new class will be announced during the Keynote Brunch at Southern Exposure 2024 and will graduate at Southern Exposure 2025.
Applicants are eligible if they are:
- Emerging leader in produce, mid-level manager or above
- Employed in the produce industry for at least 4 years
- Member in “Good Standing” of the SEPC*
- Must possess a vision for leadership, a strong drive to carry it out, and strong communications skills to convey why they believe they would be a good candidate for the program by submitting a short video for selection process
The deadline to submit applications is February 16, 2024 before 5:00 pm EST.
*To be in “Good Standing”, a member must actively participate in the SEPC by their attendance, contributions, or both and must be included in our Membership Roll. SEPC member companies who are in “Good Standing” may nominate an employee who is not currently on the active SEPC membership role.
Note, Employees of the Southeast Produce Council, the SEPC’s participating vendors, any contract employees of the SEPC, and members of the immediate family of any such persons are not eligible to be nominated or win the Award. The term “immediate family” includes spouses, siblings, parents, children, grandparents, and grandchildren, whether as “in-laws”, or by current or past marriage(s), adoption, co-habitation or other family extension, and other persons residing at the same household whether related.
About Southeast Produce Council
The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) sprouted in 1999 when a shared vision for cultivating a nonprofit Southeastern-based produce organization was planted. From the first formal meeting of the SEPC where 100 agriculture, retail, and foodservice professionals gathered, we’ve flourished into a vibrant and innovative organization of over 4,000 industry professionals who reap the benefits of harvesting quality experiences guaranteed to increase the value of their membership. As with farmland, a well-cultivated industry can last for generations, and today, we continue to grow at a steady pace thanks to a broad range of backgrounds and expertise from people like you, creating a more bountiful tomorrow.
Learn the benefits of SEPC membership at seproducecouncil.com.
