Michael Gould was chairman and chief executive officer of Bloomingdale’s for 23 years, retiring this past February. In a recent interview with National Public Radio, Gould shared that even during the great recession, Bloomingdale’s didn’t cut its training budget.

“If you have an organization that’s devoted to growing people and continuing to educate people and then being fair with them, why would anyone want to leave?” Gould said.

The PMA Foundation champions that sentiment, devoting itself to growing people for the global produce and floral industry by working to attract, develop and retain top-notch talent. It fulfills this mission by offering individuals and companies across the supply chain education programs and networking events that support every stage of a person’s career and foster industry innovation in the process. PMA Foundation’s work focuses on sustaining future produce and floral business by attracting young graduates to the industry; helping professionals currently working in the produce and floral industry obtain or hone leadership skills and advance their careers; and helping companies develop and implement retention strategies to maintain their workforce.

The PMA Foundation assists companies to meet talent-development needs that are better addressed with full supply chain representation. As a result, companies of all sizes can grow business, stay competitive and ensure continued leadership for the future by utilizing PMA Foundation as a resource for professional development for their people — a company’s most valuable asset.

A Cause for Change

It all began in 2004 when Produce Marketing Association’s board of directors decided to do something about the difficulty the industry had recruiting and retaining good people and the lack of awareness of produce as a career option. These visionaries approved the creation of an independent, charitable organization dedicated to identifying and addressing the industry’s talent challenges. Today, PMA Foundation offers a host of programs and networking events supporting every stage of a produce career.

Entrance into the industry

The Career Pathways programs and university outreach targets college students. A partnership with AgCareers.com further connects companies to talent and is designed to expand and focus the message of openings in produce to receptive job seekers.  

Continuing education & networking

The Young Professionals Network includes the Emerging Leaders Program, Young Professionals Webinars and the Young Professionals Reception and it develops industry professionals under 35 years of age.

Mid-career advancement

The High Performance Management Conference: Optimizing the Impact of Mid-Level Leaders is geared toward developing fundamental leadership, strategic execution and financial management skills for mid-level professionals, allowing them to optimize their value to their company. A series of Women’s Fresh Perspectives programs are available to women professionals at all levels.

Executive enhancement

The Executive Leadership Symposium program gives senior executives skills to enhance their leadership impact and address the year’s strategic business challenges.

Many programs, one purpose

Running through all PMA Foundation programs is one common thread: a produce focus for training that speaks to industry-level, enterprise and personal development. Each program is also anchored by a professionally developed and delivered learning experience and is designed with a global scope. Companies and individuals involved also benefit from smarter connections through access to important contacts.

Regardless of where your company is along the global supply chain — or whether you’re responsible for your company’s talent management or taking charge of your own career — PMA Foundation delivers a diverse exchange of ideas with supply-chain representation that can’t be replicated through on-the-job or in-house training. It’s a framework for ensuring fresh produce and floral businesses of all sizes, and in all places will prosper generation after generation.

To learn more about these and other opportunities, contact the PMA Foundation at 302/738-7100 or visit pmafoundation.com.