Marissa Dake Joins IFPA Leadership Program

Written By DNO Produce

We're so excited to share that our very own Marissa Dake, V.P. of Brand & Partnerships, has been selected for the prestigious International Fresh Produce Association Leadership Program!

With only 12 spots available each year for high-potential produce professionals, this competitive program brings together top industry leaders to foster growth, enhance leadership skills, and spark innovation in the produce sector.

Marissa's background is rooted in agriculture, having grown up on her family farm in Kansas, which fostered her early connection to the world of food and farming. From there, she expanded her expertise through her career in Washington, D.C., where she engaged with food and agriculture policy both on and off Capitol Hill. Before joining us at DNO Produce, Marissa also served as the director of Operation Food Secure, a hunger relief initiative supported by the USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.

In her role with DNO, Marissa has been a key driver behind some of our most impactful projects and partnerships, including our collaboration with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective and the Snacktime Explorers program. Her dedication to educating communities on fresh, nutritious food has also taken her across the Midwest to speak at events and conferences, sharing the mission of SnackTime Explorers & DNO Produce with new audiences. As chair of the Advocacy Subcommittee of IFPA’s Political Advisory Committee, Marissa is a vocal advocate for both our company’s mission and the wider produce industry.

Reflecting on her acceptance into the IFPA Leadership Program, Marissa says,

“I am honored and excited to be selected for the International Fresh Produce Association's leadership program. With a career background outside of produce, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of cross-sector collaboration is in transforming and improving our food systems.Through this program, I’m excited to dive deeper into how these types of collaborations can take shape from within the industry, especially with the diverse companies represented in my cohort. I’m eager to learn from produce industry experts, forge new connections, and collectively drive meaningful change. I firmly believe that access to fresh, nutritious food for all is not only achievable but within reach and I’m thankful to work for an organization that shares that vision. The growth and development I’ll gain through this program will be pivotal in advancing our work. I’m deeply grateful to IFPA for this incredible opportunity and for the support from my colleagues at DNO Produce as I take this next step."

We’re excited to see how Marissa’s journey with the IFPA Leadership Program unfolds, and we can’t wait to support her as she forges new connections and leads impactful initiatives that will shape the future of fresh food access and education. Congratulations, Marissa!

DNO Produce
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