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About Karen

Karen Caplan

Growth Catalyst and Speaker

Karen Caplan knows jack…fruit, among many other exotic fruits and vegetables. After all, produce is in her blood.

Products like cherimoyas, Sunchokes®, and passion fruit may be unfamiliar to the average person, but Karen grew up eating and selling them. As the firstborn daughter of entrepreneur Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, founder of Frieda’s Specialty Produce, Karen began working with produce at the age of 10.

After graduating with a degree in Agricultural Economics and Business Management from the University of California-Davis, Karen joined Frieda’s full time. Learning the business from the ground up, Karen worked in just about every department at the company, from running the warehouse to sales and marketing. At age 30, Karen was promoted to president and CEO. In 1990 Karen and her sister, Jackie Caplan Wiggins, purchased the company from their mother. With Karen at the helm, Frieda’s became the nation’s leading marketer and distributor of specialty produce.

As a well-respected industry leader, Karen served a three year term as a Director of the Federal Reserve Bank, Los Angeles branch; was the first female chairperson of the United Fresh Produce Association, a national trade group representing the produce industry in Washington DC. She was the first woman president of the Southern California based Fresh Produce & Floral Council. She was chair and vice-chair of the USDA Fruit & Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee and served on the board of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. She recently completed a 6 year term on the board of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation, served on the University of California Agricultural Issues Center board and currently chairs the Huntley College Advisory Board at Cal Poly Pomona University. She served as President of The Trusteeship (The International Women’s Foundation of Southern California) from 2018 – 2020 and is a current Global board Member of the International Women’s Foundation based in Washington DC.

Karen is also an innovative visionary. Her insights on the produce industry, leadership, and food trends are featured in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, INC. Magazine, And Now U Know and the Shelby Report. She is a frequent keynote speaker and panelist, including appearances at Bitten LA, THRIVE AgTech, and the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit. Her accomplishments have earned her industry recognitions such as the 2015 Women in Produce honoree and the 2016 Jim Hicks Agricultural Achievement Award from CSU-Cal Poly Pomona.  

Beyond the industry, Karen serves as a role model for women entrepreneurs, as well as small and family-owned businesses. She has addressed the Los Angeles/Long Beach area of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program and was the keynote speaker at the University of La Verne CEO Summit and the Las Vegas Food Expo. Karen is a frequent guest speaker at local universities.

Karen is an enthusiastic home cook, loves to entertain, and is a passionate foodie and world traveler. She also writes a weekly blog, “What’s on Karen’s Plate?”. You can find her on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

 

Affiliations and Awards

Business and Community Organizations/Activities

2021-present

Global Board Member, International Women’s Forum

2018-2020

President, The Trusteeship (Los Angeles Chapter of the International Women’s Forum)

2017-present

Chair, Dean’s Advisory Council Member, College of Agriculture, California Polytechnic State University, Pomona, Calif.

2017-2023

Board Member, California Agriculture Leadership Foundation

2010-present

Board Member, The Trusteeship (Los Angeles Chapter of the International Women’s Forum)

2008-present

Student Mentor, PMA’s Foundation for Industry Talent

2004-present

Steering Committee, UC Davis Agribusiness Seminar

1997-2022

Advisory Board Member, Agricultural Issues Center, University of California

2016-2017

Board Member, Second Harvest Food Bank, Orange County, CA

2014-2017

Board Member, United Fresh Start Foundation, Fundraising Chair

1999-2017

Member, Vistage CEO Group

2012-2015

Dean’s Advisory Council Member, College of Agriculture, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Calif.

2013

Global Youth Business Plan Competition Judge, Academy of Business Leadership (ABL), University of Southern California (USC)

2013

Co-Chairman, United Fresh Foundation, Let’s Move Salad Bars to California Schools

2010-2013

 Board Member, Produce Marketing Association Foundation

2011

Curriculum Review Task Force, California Agricultural Leadership Foundation

2004-2006

Director, Federal Reserve Bank, 12th District, Los Angeles, three-year term

2003-2006

Vice Chairman, USDA Fruit & Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (Chairman, 2005-2006)

2002-2003

 National Chairman, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association

2002

Chairman Elect, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association

2002-present

Donor, EARTH University Scholarship Program, Costa Rica

2001

Elected Board Member, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, three-year term

1997-1999

Member, Small Business Council, U.S.

1998

Elected Board Member, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, three-year term

1996-1998

 Board Member, National Foundation for Women Business Owners

1996-1997

President, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Los Angeles Chapter, 2nd term

1996-1997

Board Member, Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce

1996

Member, The Committee of 200

1996

Board Member, Community Advisory Panel, Pacific Enterprises

1995-1996

President, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Los Angeles Chapter

1995

 Advisory Board Member, Women In Business, Los Angeles Chapter

1995

Chairman, White House Conference on Small Business Task Force (Southern California)

1995

Honorary Chair, “An Income of Her Own,” Los Angeles seminar to teach entrepreneurial training to teen women

1995

Founding Member, C.O.M.B.O. (Coalition of Minority Business Organizations)

1995

Elected Board Member, The Employers’ Group

1995

Elected Board Member, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association (National Trade Association), two-year term

1994-1995

President Elect, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Los Angeles Chapter

1993

Founder, “Women in Produce,” produce industry seminar for women to network and share ideas

1993

 Founder, Frieda’s Agricultural Scholarship Award, scholarship to assist female agricultural students with scholastic expenses

1993

Invited as Member, The Trusteeship (International Women’s Forum)

1992

 International Marketing Consultant, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel

1992

Facilitator, “An Income of Her Own,” San Francisco seminar for mentoring young women

1992

Board Member, National Association of Women Business Owners

1992

Vice President, Produce/Floral Division, City of Hope Food Industries Circle

1992

Investor, Los Angeles Women’s Foundation Workplace Giving Program

1992

Member, International Association of Culinary Professionals

1991

Women’s Network for Entrepreneurial Training Mentoring Program

1991

Member, National Association of Women Business Owners

1991

U.C. Davis Cal Aggie Alumni Association Board

1991

Mills College Alumni Association

1991

Member, American Institute of Wine and Food

1990-1991

 First-ever Female Chairman, Fresh Produce Council, Los Angeles

1990

Board Member, University of California, Davis, Institute of Government Affairs

1990

Co-chairperson, City of Hope Food Industry Fundraising Campaign

1988

Retail Board Member, Produce Marketing Association, three-year term

1982

Co-creator, Fresh Produce Council’s Fresh & Fit fair, annual conference for food professionals, retailers, educators, and nutritionists

Awards/Honors

2016

Leadership Honoree, Girl Scouts of Orange County, Calif.

2016

Jim Hicks Agricultural Achievement Award, Cal Poly Pomona

2016

Nominee, National Philanthropy Day, Orange County, Calif.

2015

Women in Produce Honoree, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association

2013

National Woman Business Owners (NWBOC) “Decades of Excellence” Hall of Fame

2013

“Best in Show,” Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure Expo

2012

 Progressive Grocer Category Captain, Specialty Produce

2012

“Best in Show, In-line booth,” Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit

2011

Kroger Central Division’s Vendor of the Year, Produce Merchandising

2011

Frieda’s Inc., Top 20 Community Donor Award, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County

2009

Frieda’s Inc., first recipient of the Community Partner Award from the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County

2009

Family-Owned Business Award from the “Orange County Business Journal”

2008

Featured in UC Davis Centennial Exhibit, “Dream Big,” as one of 100 chosen alumni who have helped shaped California

2003

The Packer Newspaper Produce Person of the Year, awarded at the annual United Fresh Produce Association Convention

2003

Ethics in America Business of the Year Award, Los Alamitos, Calif., Chamber of Commerce

2003

Pathways Foundation Honoree, Mission Viejo, Calif.

2001

Mills Graduate of Distinction, Mills College

2001

Deborah Award Recipient, Anti-Defamation League, Los Angeles

2000

Women In Business Award 2000, “Orange County Business Journal”

2000

Regional Finalist, General Excellence Category, “Working Woman” magazine /
Bank One Working Woman Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards

1999

Regional Finalist, Innovation Category, “Working Woman” magazine

Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards

1999

Regional Finalist, General Excellence Category, “Working Woman” magazine Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards

1999

Marketing Excellence Award, “Produce Business” magazine

1998

 Listed in “500 Largest Women-Owned Businesses,” Working Woman 500 Congress

1997

Small Business Advocate of the Year, U.S. Small Business Administration Region IX

1996

 Listed in “10 Women Making a Difference,” “Orange County Metro magazine

1996

Organization Leadership Award, Asian Business League, California Award to NAWBO-LA

1996

Bringing Up Daughters Differently (BUDDY) Award, National Organization for Women Legal Defense & Education Fund

1994

Marketing Excellence Award, “Produce Business” magazine

1994

Business Owner of the Year Award, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)

1993

Business Woman of the Year Award, Women’s Referral Service

1993

Marketing Excellence Award, “Produce Business” magazine

1993

Years of Service Award, Produce Marketing Association

1992

Official Spokesperson, Kraft Good Seasons fat-free dressing

1992

Marketing Excellence Award, “Produce Business” magazine

1992

Pacesetter Award for Entrepreneur of the Year, Roundtable for Women in Foodservice

1992

Finalist, Supporter of Entrepreneurship, “Inc.” Magazine and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, Los Angeles Division

1992

Semifinalist, Veuve Cliquot Woman of the Year Awards, sponsored by the National Association of Women Business Owners

1991

Corporation That Makes a Difference Award, International Women’s Forum, Washington, D.C.

1991

Selected by “Los Angeles Business Journal” for “Why Do Business in LA?” advertising campaign

1991

Good Scout Award,” Boy Scouts of America, Western Los Angeles County Council

1990

Marketing Excellence Award, “Produce Business” magazine

1990

Pacesetter Finalist, Roundtable for Women in Foodservice

1989

One of 10 “Outstanding Young Working Women,” “Glamourmagazine

1989

Pacesetter Finalist, Roundtable for Women in Foodservice

1989

Woman of Distinction Award, Soroptomist Club, Downey, Calif.

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