MEMBERSHIP BASICS
Leading for the Future: Elizabeth Vander Weide on the Almond Leadership Program Elizabeth Vander Weide, senior supply chain analyst for Blue Diamond Growers, is a 2025 graduate of the Almond Board of California (ABC) Almond Leadership Program. Vander Weide joined Almond Facts to discuss her rich growth experience in the program.
Almond Facts (AF): Elizabeth, thank you for joining Almond Facts! Please tell us about ABC’s Almond Leadership Program and what inspired you to participate. Elizabeth Vander Weide (EVW): When I hit my two-year mark at Blue Diamond last year, I wanted to get more involved in the almond industry and the community while developing my own leadership skills to benefit my role. I grew up in the almond community; my family farms, so I’ve always been acquainted with the Almond Board’s year-long leadership program. I interviewed for it in November and was accepted in December. The program kicks off in January. My 2025 class and I graduated and were recognized at the 2025 Almond Conference. At the beginning of the year, you choose the special project that you’ll work on throughout the year. In November you present it to ABC staff, then provide
a summary poster board at the Almond Conference. Program members are assigned a mentor, which is unique to the program, and you meet with your mentor throughout the year. We attended monthly seminars where we learned about each ABC committee and the inner workings of the marketing order. These seminars included a visit to the Port of Oakland, educational field days for grade schoolers, and overnight leadership training in Pinecrest! The program is robust. AF: Do you feel like the program was manageable on top of already working a full-time job? EVW: I thought it was a good balance. We met monthly, except for a few months we did an overnight, but it wasn’t overwhelming. ABC’s Rebecca Bailey and Jenny Nicolau lead it, and they made it manageable and doable. AF: What was your special project? Was it in correlation with your work here at Blue Diamond ? EVW: I tailored it to what I do here. I completed a water analysis covering the Central Valley, looking specifically at all the groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) to determine almond acreage in the future with an emphasis on the most impactful areas. AF: How would you describe the program to someone who’s interested/applying? EVW: The year goes by goes by quickly, so make sure you work ahead, especially on the special project. The other big component is you'll get out what you put into the program, so take it seriously and with intention. Absorb each seminar, training and opportunity that comes your way because it’s highly valuable. Because
Elizabeth Vander Weide receives program completion award from ABC's industry relations specialist, Rebecca Bailey
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ALMOND FACTS
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