Courtney Dyess

My family and support system have been absolutely foundational to everything I've achieved. As a mother of four, I've had to navigate the challenge of balancing motherhood with a fast-paced career, and having that solid support system behind me has enabled me to show up consistently and reliably. I really believe it comes down to how I show up every day consistently. In this industry, credibility comes from delivering, and so being there, being reliable, solving problems, improving processes, and ultimately helping our customers move forward with confidence in a pretty complex industry that is constantly evolving - that's what matters. And in order to do that, you have to have that consistency, you have to be steady, you have to lean into the partnerships that you've built. A big part of my success has been that I've been able to do that, with having a support system behind me that has enabled me to do so. I've also stayed disciplined and kept things going even when it was difficult, because success in this field requires showing up and being dependable day after day.

Some of the best career advice I've ever received was simple but powerful: be in the room. To be able to stand out, you have to be different, right? You have to have confidence to be different in the room, make an impact, turn heads, be memorable. Don't be afraid to speak up and use your voice, even when it may seem like it's not common. That advice has definitely had a lasting impression on me, and it's something that I continue to strive for. I think it's the most notable advice I've ever received. It's difficult because, you know, in a room, especially a large room when you're networking, it's tough to stand out, but I've always at least tried to keep that in the back of my head - having that impact and being memorable.

I think resilience is really important. Knowing your worth is critical - I've found that throughout my career, especially as a young woman, many times I sat at tables in which I was underestimated. I think that's been a big part of my story, not letting that impact me negatively. I know my worth, and I want to encourage other women to know their worth, regardless of their credentials. If you believe in something, and you know that you have what it takes, go for it and have that lasting impact.

It's important to be yourself and don't feel pressured to act or lead like someone else. When you have that platform where you get to a certain position in your career, the most impact that you can have, or the most effective approach that you can take, is just being both capable and authentic. A big part of my leadership style is that I'm not afraid to roll up the sleeves and get things done, but I also like to lead with a deep connection to human and empathy as well. And remember - be in the room, have confidence to be different in the room, make an impact, turn heads, be memorable, and don't be afraid to speak up and use your voice.

I’d say the biggest challenge right now is the level of complexity and disruption across the supply chain. From cost pressures to supplier reliability to changing customer expectations, organizations are having to operate with a much smaller margin for error.

In produce specifically, that complexity is amplified because you’re dealing with highly perishable product and tight timelines, so execution and coordination across partners becomes critical.

At the same time, I think the biggest opportunity is in how we modernize the way we operate — particularly through better use of data, more real-time visibility, and more standardized operating models. Many organizations still don’t have full transparency across their supply chain, and closing that gap can significantly improve decision-making and performance.

For me, a lot of my focus has been on bringing structure to that complexity — building scalable processes, improving data integrity, and helping teams operate more consistently. That’s where I think the industry is headed, and where the biggest impact can be made.

What has sustained me most through the years is family, discipline, and resilience. Success rarely arrives all at once; it’s built quietly over time through reliability, hard work, and showing up even when the road feels uncertain. I’ve learned that authenticity matters, especially for women navigating spaces where they may feel overlooked. There is strength in staying true to who you are while continuing to evolve.

Beyond my professional responsibilities, I’m passionate about investing in the broader industry and community. I’m involved with organizations including the International Fresh Produce Association and the Southeast Produce Council, and I also serve on a board committee for Palmer Home for Children, an organization dedicated to supporting foster children and families in need. Those experiences continue to remind me that leadership is ultimately about service.