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\\u201cWe are encouraging women to bring their capabilities to the table in a way that\\u2019s unapologetic.\\u201d

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Jill Overdorf (25:15-25:24)

Jill Overdorf is one of the first women who had the \\u201cboss lady\\u201d mentality and reputation in the produce industry and rightfully so! She\\u2019s strong, powerful, unapologetic and a key stakeholder in the empowerment of women across the board. She\\u2019s technically been in the industry since \\u201cstarting her own culinary business\\u201d at the age of 13! From pushing hand carts, picking produce, driving box trucks and working 20 years as an executive chef, Jill has done it all without letting anything get in the way of her confident drive.

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Now the Director of Business Development at Naturipe, Jill never expected to dive into the produce industry. After graduating with a major in film and communication, she went to the Culinary Institute of America and was offered two jobs directly after graduating \\u2013 one in New Zealand and one opening a restaurant in Manhattan. Jill recalls, \\u201cI was terrified of Manhattan. I grew up in Boston and Manhattan scared the bejeezus out of me, so that\\u2019s the job that I chose.\\u201d

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From there, Jill has worked as an executive chef at exciting locations like Dreamwork Studios and the Getty Museum, while living on every single continent as a way to embrace all of our different cultures and the way they utilize food to come together in harmony. Jill eventually came aboard Naturipe to join the already strong roster of powerful women and was wowed by Naturipe\\u2019s focus on \\u201cour ability as individuals \\u2013 our strengths, our intellect and our capabilities as a person,\\u201d not gender.

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\\u201cTo have somebody say, \\u2018I need your help\\u2019, is really empowering because that means your voice has been understood and appreciated\\u2026 and then to be able to say to those same people that you need help offers a reciprocal opportunity that is so important in any relationship, but especially when you\\u2019re elevating women.\\u201d Jill Overdorf (11:50-12:12)

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Naturipe does an incredible job at giving everyone the ability to be as autonomous as they need to be, while also supporting one another to elevate each other and the entire industry. There\\u2019s plenty of women who reach out to one another for help and support, which Jill appreciates because it shows her/your voice has been understood and appreciated. It\\u2019s incredibly important to have that reciprocal support, especially when elevating women, and a safe environment to ask for help.

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Even though COVID was challenging for Jill especially because of the lack of connectivity we all had, she loves that Naturipe made it a point to have regular team calls and a transparent line of communication. It takes a team to be successful and Naturipe is a great example of valuing everyone as an individual for their capabilities and strengths, regardless of their gender.\\xa0

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Lori and Jill both recall the days of attending produce industry conferences just 20 years ago where there were hardly any women there. Cat calling was prominent, cursory glances and getting \\u201clooked up and down\\u201d on the market floor by men. Now, there\\u2019s a long line to wait for the women\\u2019s restroom at these conferences and certainly less of a fight to \\u201cprove yourself\\u201d as a woman. It\\u2019s no surprise Jill has received comments of, \\u201cwho do you think you are!?\\u201d because she\\u2019s never been afraid to walk in a room and ask questions without qualifying who she is or why she deserves to be there.\\xa0

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\\u201cConfidence is disarming. Confidence in men and strong women is disarming.\\u201d Jill Overdorf (23:56-24:10)

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Whether you\\u2019re a woman just entering the produce industry looking towards the future, or one who\\u2019s been experiencing the same transformation for years, Jill reminds all women that \\u201cit\\u2019s okay to be smart, it\\u2019s okay to ask questions, and it\\u2019s okay to push the boundaries if you\\u2019re doing it in a way that\\u2019s sincere.\\u201d\\xa0

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We all want to better the system regardless of race, religion, creed or gender. Bringing your voice to the table to be heard (with confidence) is a must in the produce industry, and using your intelligence with apology. Your ideas, questions, observations and thoughts are needed to keep the industry evolving for the greater good. If you\\u2019re a woman who\\u2019s been in the industry for years, when you see a \\u201crising star\\u201d or \\u201cnew kid on the block\\u201d, help them out! Introduce them to their next potential job or boss, help them understand the \\u201cunwritten rules\\u201d, lift them up, empower them, and ask them for support on things you might not know too!\\xa0

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Jill\\u2019s last remarks are a must read. She shares with us that \\u201cit\\u2019s my personal mission to have all of my interactions be positive and impact that person\\u2019s life in a way that is memorable and important. Whether it\\u2019s the checkout woman at the grocery store or someone who\\u2019s harvesting for us in the fields, we have a responsibility as individuals to acknowledge other sentient individuals as human living beings. Be kind, be respectful, acknowledge their presence and hope that it\\u2019ll impact that person\\u2019s day in a way that\\u2019s positive.\\u201d

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How to get involved

• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!\\xa0
• Reach out to us - we\\u2019d love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.\\xa0

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If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we\\u2019d love for you to help us spread the word!