Meet the Newest Class of the Almond Leadership Program

The Almond Board of California has announced the 2026 class of its Almond Leadership Program (ALP), welcoming 18 new professionals in the cohort. These industry professionals are committed to strengthening California almond farming and advancing the future of the industry through collaboration, leadership development and innovation.

The Almond Leadership Program brings together emerging leaders from across the almond value chain. From growers and agronomists to marketers, processors, field representatives and allied partners, this immersive experience is focused on building leadership skills, industry insight and solving real-world challenges facing California agriculture. Participants will be provided with in-depth exposure to the social, economic, environmental and regulatory forces shaping the future of the California almond industry. Each class member will complete a yearlong, self-directed capstone project focused on addressing a real-world challenge or opportunity for the industry.

2026 Almond Leadership Program Participants

• Rebekah Burrows, Customer Care Specialist | Grower – Owner/Operator, Advancing Eco Agriculture | GGI Farms
• Grace Fales, Sales Manager, Baugher Ranch Organics
• Daniel Frea, Attorney / Farmer, Wanger Jones Helsley PC / Frea Farms
• Austin Jackson, Regional Manager – Member Relations, Blue Diamond Growers
• Andrew Jensen, CEO / Agronomist, Crop Syndicate
• Julian Jimenez, Production / Ranch Manager, Pomona Farming LLC
• Natalie Kidd, Grower, Kidd Farms
• Catherine Machado, Operational Support Manager, Manulife Farmland Management Services
• Madison Martella, Grower Relations, Monte Vista
• Prabh Monder, General Manager, Monder Farms
• Connor Pate, Manager of Precision Agriculture, Belkorp Ag, LLC
• Alexus Powell-Crow, Marketing & Communications Manager, Grow West
• Noah Riley, Western Territory Sales Representative, Kula Bio
• Hyeong Shin, Broker, HS Ventures
• Orlando Tapia, Agronomy Specialist, Corteva Agriscience
• John Unzueta, Procurement Manager, Cache Creek Foods LLC
• Alyssa Valdez, Grower Relations, RPAC LLC
• James Williamson, Investment Associate, PGIM Real Estate

For more information about the Almond Leadership Program, visit almonds.org.