Wholesum celebrates first graduates of NextGen Academy internal leadership development program

Wholesum, a third-generation family organic vegetable farming operation based in southern Arizona, announced the graduation of the first cohort of its new internal leadership development program, NextGen Academy.

This initiative is designed to nurture the potential of team members who seek to grow both professionally and personally within the company. The inaugural edition of the program concluded in spring 2025, with the graduation of four participants.

"NextGen was born from Wholesum’s commitment to its essential company value, 'People on the Move,' which emphasizes continuous growth, proactivity and the drive to constantly evolve both personally and professionally," the company said in a news release. "This initiative aims to prepare the next generation of leaders who will foster a positive work culture, lead by example and reflect the company’s values in every decision. It was created with the vision that every team member, regardless of their current role, can develop the skills necessary to take on new challenges as leadership opportunities arise."

The program is an employee-led initiative coordinated by Tina Federico, Wholesum Family Farms' assistant sales manager. Applications were open to all Wholesum facilities, and submissions were received from employees across various departments. Through a rigorous interview and evaluation process, four individuals with high potential and proven performance were selected.

The graduates of the first cohort are:

• Brenda Nava, accountant at Wholesum Family Farms
• Eddie López, operations at Wholesum Family Farms
• Jaset Parada, quality assurance coordinator at Wholesum Farms Arizona
• Joaquín Alfredo Campos Noriega, greenhouse supervisor at Wholesum Farms Sonora

The NextGen training was divided into two phases. The first phase focused on universal courses covering interpersonal and leadership skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, problem-solving and teamwork, delivered through Schoox, an online learning platform that enables flexible, interactive training.

In the second phase, each participant received a personalized specialization plan and was paired with an internal mentor from the company. Throughout this process, they faced real-world challenges and participated in integrative projects with a direct impact on the company’s operations.

"It’s a great opportunity because it teaches you things you don’t learn in school," Nava said. "I stepped out of my bubble and now understand the impact my work has on other areas. I feel seen and valued by the company."

"Our priority is to prepare participants with the tools and the knowledge that previous leaders didn’t always have access to, due to the absence of a structured educational process. This program is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how Wholesum operates, ensuring they can transition into leadership smoothly and with greater support,” Federico said.

Wholesum is solidifying NextGen Academy as an annual program led by its People and Culture department and is opening applications in fall 2025 for the next generation of the program.