The future is unknown, yet the way you face it can make all the difference in the outcome.
Jenna Aguilera recently helped me realize this as we spoke to the guidance and wisdom of a network that has helped the burgeoning mentor in front of me realize the potential she stands strong in today.
“Denise Junqueiro brought me into produce and introduced me to the industry,” Jenna says when I ask how she joined the world of fresh produce. “I am really grateful for that. She always made it a job that felt exciting while encouraging curiosity and creativity.”
That leadership empowered Jenna to take on projects with real impact, such as producing the Mission podcast and writing the company’s first sustainability report. Denise’s trust, Jenna reflects, allowed her to hone in on her talents and apply her skills to a new industry with open eyes and determination to put forth her best work.
“She was my first boss in the industry. To this day, I credit her with teaching me the foundations of B2B marketing in produce,” she states.
"It takes a village to raise someone, and I think the same is true professionally. All my mentors played a very special part in raising me up in this industry and helping me move forward in my career."
Jenna Aguilera, Director of Communications, Mission Produce®
Jenna is among the new age of up-and-coming mentors in our industry. Hired in the midst of the COVID pandemic shutdown and shortly after Mission Produce® went public, she hit the ground running when Denise—then Senior Director of Marketing and Communications—handed her the NASDAQ IPO marketing agreement.
“As part of the company’s IPO with NASDAQ, there was a marketing partnership that included sponsorship and promotional opportunities to elevate the company’s visibility. One of them was the bell-ringing ceremony,” Jenna smiles. “Being able to coordinate that event with the NASDAQ and IR teams was an exciting project—especially with our investors, analysts, and executive team in attendance. I saw my face on the Times Square tower and thought, ‘How is this real?’”
Sitting back and thinking on that assignment, Jenna shakes her head in wonder at the fast track such an environment can offer if you’re willing to rise to the occasion. She explains that Denise practiced progressive team-building with personality assessments, specifically through Tess Cox and Associates.
“Denise had connected Tess to Mission for professional development and leadership coaching, and she worked hands-on with our marketing team,” Jenna explains. “Since then, working with Tess on my professional development has greatly improved how I present myself in the workplace and how I communicate with my team. I’ve come to her about challenges I’m facing and we’d break down the situation, to reframe it and communicate in a way that could lead to more understanding and collaboration.”
Learning different ways to work with different types of people is what Jenna points to as one of Tess’ greatest lessons. As Jenna steps into leading her own team for the first time, Tess has also become a sounding board—validating approaches outside her comfort zone as much as navigating the hard ones.
“Tess has been instrumental in guiding me through times that tested my growth. Challenges are never easy, but having the right tools—navigating the storm with a little bit more direction, better, stronger sails—can make a big difference in the long-term,” she says.
Another way Jenna is deepening her knowledge of leadership is through the International Fresh Produce Association mentorship program. She went to the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference in 2025, and was paired with her third mentor, Beth Atkinson of Elephant House PR.
“Beth quickly became someone I greatly admire for her entrepreneurial spirit, her eloquence, and her ambition. I could tell she really wanted to help bring others up in the industry,” Jenna shares. “Beth has been a grounding—and real—voice with valuable perspective. She has shared really thoughtful advice on how to lead myself and make decisions to propel my career forward. With all of her experience, she’s been a mentor who can help me through any and all of it.”
As she sits before me, Jenna has just completed communications on Mission’s acquisition of Calavo Growers. Reflecting on this accomplishment, she projects a beautiful balance of assuredness and awe of the opportunities she’s accomplished so far—many of which have come from being in the produce industry.
"Working with Tess on my professional development has greatly improved how I present myself in the workplace and how I communicate with my team."
“This acquisition has been one of the biggest career moments for me—leading the communications of an M&A of a $430 million deal for a billion-dollar company,” Jenna shares. “When I first joined Mission, I never thought I would have been a part of all of these milestones—to be able to lead in these milestones even.”
For someone who walked in with open eyes, the view is everything promised, and then some.
“I’ve seen nothing but results from the relationships I’ve built with my mentors. The benefits are really in the relationship and what you learn from the relationship– then how you apply those learnings to yourself and to your work going forward,” she tells me. “It takes a village to raise someone, and I think the same is true professionally. All my mentors played a very special part in raising me up in this industry and helping me move forward in my career.”
For future up-and-comers, Jenna says not only to take the wins and the challenges of the day-to-day, but find a mentor to go through them with—you’ll get more out of the journey that way. Stepping into the role herself, she leaves us with a valuable truth: No one can tell you what lies ahead, but they can provide the tools to navigate with greater perspective, more confidence, and a deeper understanding.
"Jenna came to the industry during COVID and took to produce so quickly. She stood out against all the other candidates when we were interviewing for a communications role. She had all the components and still does. She is ambitious, smart, and always strives for excellence. I’ve enjoyed watching her take on new challenges and grow not only in her craft, but in her career. She has the juice and a fruitful career ahead of her. Mission and the produce industry are lucky to have her.”
“Jenna demonstrates a positive and growth-oriented mindset in her approach to mentoring others. She is committed to learning and growing alongside the individuals she mentors while supporting the continued development of their professional skills, knowledge, and confidence. As a communicator, Jenna is articulate, supportive, and thoughtful in the feedback she provides.
Through her mentorship within her team, Jenna builds trust through consistency, commitment, and a strong focus on collaboration. Accountability contributes to achieving meaningful and successful outcomes for all. At the foundation of who Jenna is, she understands the importance of ‘Leading Herself, FIRST.’ This principle aligns closely with the focus of leadership coaching: leading with intention, taking responsibility for the quality of work, applying knowledge with purpose, and supporting the growth and development of others. Jenna leads with the understanding that the best outcomes are achieved when the strengths of individuals come together to create something far greater than what can be accomplished alone.”
President and Owner, Elephant House PR
“Jenna is exactly the kind of emerging leader our industry needs more of: sharp, thoughtful, intentional, and deeply committed to the people around her. What makes her such a strong mentor is not just that she has valuable expertise to share, but that she genuinely cares about helping others grow. She approaches her work with a rare combination of confidence and humility; she is willing to take on challenges, ask good questions, receive feedback, and figure out the path forward, even when something is new to her. Jenna has become a go-to leader within her company and continues to invest her time in meaningful industry initiatives, which speaks volumes about both her capability and her character. She is respected because she does the work well, but also because people trust her to show up, support the team, and lead with intention. Jenna sees the best in people, calls them up to their potential, and helps them believe they can get there.”
