Be she a shining light on the dance floor, a shoulder for a coworker to lean on, or a warm conversation to break up the work day, Rachelle Schulken puts the full force of herself into each moment.
As we begin, I am pulled into the gravity of her presence. She holds such an inviting space that it’s impossible not to see how others will naturally and comfortably follow her lead—one Rachelle herself feels she is setting by trusting a path she cannot always see.
“My foray into produce was not a strategic plan, but a foundation the universe laid,” she says with her signature bright smile. “I grew up in a small agricultural town near Davis, California, yet never considered ag or produce as a career path. A few years after graduating from California State University CSU - Chico, I found myself looking for a job in Sacramento.”
With years of customer service experience in retail jobs, Rachelle won a position as a customer service representative with a—then—small company called Garden Highway.
“I remember feeling very welcomed and comfortable during the interview process. A few months into my tenure with the company, which was transitioning into Renaissance Food Group (RFG) at the time, I was promoted to Marketing Coordinator, where the roots of my love for produce began to take hold,” Rachelle reflects.
“My foray into produce was not a strategic plan, but a foundation the universe laid.”
Rachelle Schulken, Marketing and Sustainability Manager, F&S Fresh Foods
That hold deepened with her first Fresh Summit, hosted by the now International Fresh Produce Association, where she was immediately drawn to the buzz and bustle of the trade show floor. It was this very show that would connect her to a key mentor: Dan Acevedo, who after retiring from GreenFruit Avocados, recently rejoined the industry as Director of Business Development for Farm Direct Partners.
“At 5:30 a.m. East Coast time, I stood in line to register for the Center for Growing Talent’s 5K and, in front of me, heard, ‘I doubt anyone from the West Coast is here. It’s so early.’ I shrieked—probably too excitedly—that I’m from the West Coast!” This interaction is perfectly Rachelle. “Dan delivered his first mentorship lesson to me right there: ‘Stand at the front of the starting line and sprint as fast as we can the first 10 yards so we make it into the pictures. Then we can slow down and finish at our own pace.’”
A perfect analogy, Rachelle points out Dan would frequently offer practical advice on how to stand out and make an impression among a sea of others. Meanwhile, Rachelle had begun making her way as Marketing Coordinator with RFG, setting a stage to meet even more meaningful mentors; Raina Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Westfalia Fruit Marketing USA; Kristen Reid, Executive Vice President of MIXTEC Group; and Kim St George, Vice President of Sales West for Dole Fresh Vegetables.
“I’ll never forget when Raina joined RFG. I quickly realized she is who I want to be when I grow up,” Rachelle says with a laugh.
Admiring Raina’s business savvy, management of difficult situations, and steady grace as she empowered women, Rachelle tells me the two’s mentor-mentee relationship came about organically while traveling.
“I found myself seeking her deeper wisdom around navigating my evolving career path and settling into the comfortable discomfort of Raina’s nature to dole out sage advice without sugar-coating,” she shares. “Life has a funny way of bringing people into your life at the right time for the right reason; Raina has left a lasting imprint on so many pieces of my own journey.”
That journey also made Rachelle an inaugural member of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council (FPFC) Apprentice Program, deepening a relationship with a conceiver of the project, Kristen Reid.
“Life has a funny way of bringing people into your life at the right time for the right reason."
“It wasn’t until I was selected for that first class that I got to know her as a mentor. Kristen shared pearls of wisdom I still carry with me over a decade later,” Rachelle says. “In 2020, I had some very big shoes to fill as I assumed the role of Apprentice Program Chair following Kristen’s three-year tenure and relied on her experience through the transition to ensure the legacy of the program. With her guidance, I learned to lean into my intuition and trust myself when making decisions.”
It was the perfect next step as Rachelle navigated her career and her burgeoning industry impact.
“By 2015, I had crossed paths with many inspiring and influential people, including some very special mentors who have helped guide me professionally and personally throughout the years. It’s hard to single out just a few, but one is definitely Kim St George,” Rachelle shares. “To know Kim is to know the most uplifting, enthusiastic, positive force of humanity created. We met in 2013 at the Fresh Summit in New Orleans. When I found out she was joining our team, I was thrilled. What I didn’t expect to find was my biggest cheerleader.”
Kim, Rachelle says, was instrumental in championing the more recent stages of her career development, helping imagine goals and formulate a path to them while sprinkling a little bit of “Kim positivity” along the way.
“Mentorship is not one-size-fits-all,” Rachelle summarizes. “I would advise others in the industry who are on the lookout for a mentor to seek out people who will advocate for you when you are not in the room; welcome guidance from people who possess characteristics and strengths different from your own and who you can learn new skills from.”
Rachelle’s lasting lesson is to listen for the universe to open up a door. You will likely find someone who can help you realize your path in amazing ways, and receive far more than you give. 
The Mentors
Here is what they have to say about Rachelle...
Dan Acevedo,
Director of Business Development, Farm Direct Partners
“The starting line at Fresh Summit, Orlando, Florida, began our valued friendship. Rachelle’s bright smile and charismatic presence left a lasting impression on those around her from the very beginning. Her willingness to listen and unstoppable determination to learn undoubtedly served her well as she navigated her career to Marketing and Sustainability Manager. Now, 14 years later, Rachelle’s enthusiasm still shines brightly, and it’s inspiring to see how she’s using her experience and knowledge to guide others who are just starting their journey in the produce world. It’s a testament to her passion and dedication that she continues to thrive and contribute to the growth and success of the produce industry. Here’s to Rachelle’s continued success and her positive influence on the industry—cheers!”
Raina Nelson,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Westfalia Fruit Marketing USA
“Rachelle has an insatiable growth mindset that consciously drives her to learn, adapt, and evolve to become the best version of herself. Her growth journey has been a wonderful one to watch over the course of the last 10 years—she is very intentional about reflecting and applying tough yet valuable learnings throughout her journey, and, in turn, she invests in others’ journeys. Her work with the FPFC Apprentice program is one such example. Seeing talent, unlocking hidden potential, and igniting a spark in someone they may not see themselves is the epitome of being a valuable mentor, and Rachelle is on a path to become a great one.”
Kristen Reid,
Executive Vice President, MIXTEC Group
“Rachelle is naturally curious, gravitates toward asking questions, and isn’t afraid to be vulnerable about what she may not know. Really early on in our relationship, Rachelle showed all the signs of someone who was going to be successful. Her company was investing in her, and she was seeking people who could help her along her path. As a mentor, I think Rachelle can be that person to show people not to be afraid, to make those calls, and how to cultivate a strong network in the industry. Because she is driven, warm, and engaging, people are drawn to her. At the same time, she constantly educates herself, reading and participating in the current events of our industry. Seeing Rachelle grow into a leader of our industry from that first FPFC Apprentice class has been wonderful to see.”
Kim St George,
Vice President of Sales West, Dole Fresh Vegetables
“Rachelle Schulken has a smile that is contagious and a warming personality that truly encompasses her beauty inside and out! As with any produce event, you meet industry associates that become your friends and, with any luck, they become your colleagues over the years. This was the case with Rachelle when I joined Renaissance Food Group in 2019 and we became coworkers—the best of both worlds! With similar career paths about a decade apart, there were a lot of parallels between us. I loved watching Rachelle thrive as a marketer, growing and navigating into new roles and responsibilities. Her involvement in the industry and her willingness to give back is a testament to her dedication and generosity. I am excited to watch Rachelle continue to grow and flourish personally and professionally and cheer her on from the sidelines. She still has so much more to give!”
