California Giant Berry Farms

Leslie Diaz

Investing in the Leaders of Tomorrow

As HR professionals, we spend much of our careers focused on recruiting, developing, and retaining talent. Yet one of the most meaningful leadership responsibilities we have is helping people discover their potential before they ever enter the workforce full-time.

Throughout my career, I have believed that leadership is about investing in the people who will lead our organizations and industries tomorrow. That belief has shaped how I approach internship programs and talent development at California Giant Berry Farms. For me, internships are an opportunity to influence lives, create meaningful learning experiences and help students determine whether a particular career path is the right fit for them.

I often think back to my own career journey and the people who gave me opportunities to learn, ask questions and grow. Their willingness to invest in me helped shape the leader I am today. Because of that, I feel a responsibility to pay it forward by creating opportunities for the next generation.

Leading Through Experience

One of the principles that guides my leadership style is that people learn best through experience.  Classroom education provides essential knowledge, but there is no substitute for stepping into a professional environment and seeing firsthand what a career really looks like. Students may not fully understand the realities of a profession until they experience it themselves.

That is why I have worked to ensure that interns at California Giant receive meaningful, hands -on experiences. I want students to participate in real projects, contribute to business objectives, collaborate with experienced professionals and understand what it means to be accountable for their work.

“Leadership is about investing in the people who will lead our organizations and industries tomorrow.”

When students have the opportunity to experience a working environment, they develop skills and gain a realistic understanding of both the rewards and challenges of a profession. They learn what excites them, what motivates them and where their strengths are best applied. Making that discovery early in their career journey can save years of uncertainty and help them make informed decisions about their future.

Why Agriculture Needs Intentional Talent Development

Agriculture faces a critical workforce challenge as experienced professionals retire and competition for talent continues to grow. At the same time, many students have limited exposure to the variety of career opportunities available within our industry. When people think of agriculture, they often picture only what happens in the fields. What they may not realize is that agriculture relies on professionals in human resources, technology, finance, food safety, operations, marketing, sustainability, Sales and countless other disciplines.

As leaders, we have an obligation to help students understand these opportunities and the role agriculture plays in feeding communities. If we fail to engage the next generation, we risk losing talented individuals who were never exposed to the possibilities our industry offers.

That is why I am passionate about creating experiences that connect students to the purpose behind the work. I want them to see not only what we do, but why we do it. I want them to understand that agriculture is an industry built on innovation, resilience, collaboration and service.

Mentorship as a Leadership Legacy

Equally important is creating an environment where young professionals feel supported and encouraged to grow. Through mentorship, coaching, feedback and meaningful conversations, we can help students build confidence and navigate the transition from education to career.  The investments we make in future talent today will shape our organizations, communities and industries for years to come.

Every student deserves the opportunity to learn, contribute and discover their potential. By creating meaningful experiences that offer real-world exposure and honest insight, we help young professionals determine whether a career path is truly right for them while strengthening the future workforce our organizations and industries depend on.

In agriculture, that investment has never been more important. The future of our industry will be built by the talent we inspire, develop and empower today.