No two people cut their teeth in fresh produce the same way. Some arrive with a map already drawn, the course laid, the terrain marked, the checkpoints clear. Others make the path as they go, dreaming the latitude and executing the longitude in the same breath. No matter the course, those who leave the deepest mark are the ones who absorb what the path teaches and turn it into something they can give back. That is a rare thing. When I think of Heather Fuller, I think of exactly this.
With Heather, what we’re given, we eventually give back. And for her, these gifts take shape as bridges built, wisdom absorbed, and a foundation that holds—regardless of the road you took to find it. And Heather’s path has been anything but straight. That is precisely what makes it rich. From Markon Cooperative, then her family’s real estate business in Carmel, California, years raising her kids, and back to produce through Cal-Organic Farms, Braga Fresh, and now Ippolito International; full circle has become a beautiful thing. But what draws her back—and keeps her there—needs no map to find.
“Relationships are the foundation of our business, and I think they should always be protected,” Heather, Vice President of Business Development, begins. “The business is dynamic and ever-changing. We experience volatility, the effects of Mother Nature, global politics, and a complicated supply chain every day. It’s the relationships we forge as we solve problems together, the collective experience we gain as we navigate difficult markets, and the ideation that takes place between companies that make this industry so resilient. A spreadsheet will never replace that.”
Her convictions are, in this way, a mirror of the industry itself. Complicated and diverse in its needs, but simple in its passion and its perseverance.
Heather is clear-eyed about what protects that resilience—and equally clear about what must change.
“We need to attract new and young talent to the industry. Not just from traditional, expected sources like ag schools, but from different departments and different universities,” Heather says, drawing from the detours of her own path. “New perspectives will be needed as we move into the next decade. Which brings me to the next point. Technology and AI are moving swiftly. Our industry needs to embrace technology both at the field level and in our offices, at retail, and in foodservice to improve our processes and take us to the next level in decision-making. Technology will never replace people, but we need to master it to take our people to the next level. I say this knowing that this is going to be a challenge for many of us who have been in the business for a long time, including me. It’s necessary, and why the infusion of new ideas is so important.”
"Relationships are the foundation of our business, and I think they should always be protected"
-Heather Fuller, Vice President of Business Development, Ippolito International
The most honest leaders know that surrounding themselves with varied strengths lets a company hold two views at once—the ground beneath their feet and the horizon beyond it.
“I believe in collaboration and how that breeds ideas and new leaders. I never want to ask someone to do something that I haven’t or wouldn’t do myself. I think it’s important to build trust and respect between colleagues. I have been very lucky to have several fantastic mentors in my career, and each has had a different style. One commonality was trust,” Heather reflects. “They trusted me to make decisions, gave me room to grow, and room to make mistakes. They were all supportive but tough, not afraid to hold up a mirror when I may be moving in the wrong direction. They challenged me while guiding me. I always felt heard and supported, even if things didn’t always go my way. I strive to be that kind of leader. And I hope my team feels supported in that way.”
The source of that conviction, it turns out, is the same thing that called her back to this industry in the first place.
“The people. It’s always the people. We have the most dynamic, passionate, and driven group of people in this industry that thrive on connection and change. It’s hard to find that in other industries. The produce industry is fast-paced, ever-changing, and requires stamina that not everyone enjoys. Those who do are special. Working away from produce both in my home and in the real estate industry taught me to appreciate the power of connection and shared vision. I learned to look at problems in different ways and to present ideas to different audiences. I think it sharpened my communication skills,” Heather shares.
That same instinct—to tend to the people around her—runs just as deep at home. Family and work are both huge parts of who Heather is. She has lived chapters where each one took the lead, and she is honest about what that balance has required.
“This is a big one for all of us in the industry, I think. We all work long hours, in stressful situations, and our ‘work family’ becomes a big part of our family. I think I have needed and wanted both through the years. I have three beautiful and successful children and a very supportive husband who has built a business in his own right,” Heather reflects. “We worked hard through the years to put the kids first. This meant a lot of give-and-take at work and at home. I would not have been able to build such a beautiful family or a successful career without the support of both my children and my husband. We all work together as a family to get things done and have a little fun along the way. It’s a balancing act, really, and having a workplace that promotes family life and a family that supports my love of my work has given me the confidence and the drive to do both. I have to remind myself to do both, and not let one get out of balance with the other.”
And for those still finding their footing—the next generation watching from behind—Heather has a message she wishes someone had handed her.
“You have what it takes. Don’t give in to someone else’s vision, but create your own. When it gets hard, and it will, dig deep, stay the course, and keep pushing ahead. You never know what opportunities lie ahead. Every twist and turn in your career shapes and prepares you for the next. You won’t regret taking that risk,” she says.
Heather leads with heart and head in equal measure, treating every step—the ones already laid and the ones she made herself—as preparation for what comes next. Both student and teacher. The mirror, held for all of us. 
