Award recognizes Chula Vista woman as catalyst, mentor

Chula Vista resident Amalia Zimmerman-Lommel still remembers the early days at GoodFarms, answering phones at the front desk while juggling life as a young mother and earning minimum wage. The idea of one day becoming the company’s director of sustainability and a partner felt far out of reach—until a few pivotal moments changed the course of her life.

One of those moments came when she decided to pursue formal education.

“When I started working, I had a little boy and was earning minimum wage. I decided that the only way to personally grow was to seek formal education,” she said.

After being accepted to San Diego State University, she admits she didn’t know how she would pay for it. That’s when CEO Fred Williamson Sr. stepped in and told her not to worry—GoodFarms would sponsor her.

“This was absolutely huge, and I will forever be grateful,” she said.

She went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis on finance, followed later by an MBA.

In 2008, she accepted another challenge: building the company’s first social responsibility program.

“I did a lot of listening from our customers and our workforce, learning what was important to each,” she said.

The program grew into one that prioritized worker welfare and added value for customers and consumers—an early marker of the leadership style she is now being recognized for.

That leadership is at the heart of why Zimmerman-Lommel received the 2025 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Women’s Catalyst Award, presented during the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce and Floral Show. The award honors mentorship, integrity, and individuals who create pathways for women across the produce industry.

“To be recognized for something that has come so naturally has not really sunk in yet,” she said.

She points to leaders throughout her career, CEO Fred Williamson Jr., Ira Gershow, CFO, and John Farrington, COO, who all offered time, guidance, and belief in her long before she became a leader herself.

“Sometimes, all we need is a little opportunity—and someone who believes in us,” she said in her acceptance speech.
Colleagues describe Zimmerman-Lommel as someone who not only leads but also creates opportunities for others to lead.

“Communication starts by listening and offering support as needed,” she said.

Her mentorship approach is individualized, based on the idea that every woman has different needs. She shares experiences, offers perspective, and gives “grace when mistakes are made and confidence to learn from them”—a gift she said was once given to her.

Megan Nash, director of education and talent for IFPA, said Zimmerman-Lommel “actively invests her time, her experience, and her belief in others.”

Her colleague, Marylu Ramirez, echoed that sentiment and said she helps women see “the potential you didn’t know you had.”

Zimmerman-Lommel played a central role when GoodFarms became one of the first growers to adopt the Equitable Food Initiative’s Responsibly Grown, Farmworker Assured certification. Working alongside Ramirez, she helped implement and certify the program across all GoodFarms locations and partner farms, ensuring standards were met and that workers were engaged in the process.

One of her most meaningful accomplishments has been the development of worker-manager collaborative teams, known as Process Improvement Teams, across the company’s farms. Workers are elected by peers and trained extensively in communication, problem-solving, and EFI standards.

“At first, women sat in the back and didn’t feel comfortable participating,” she said.

Over time, barriers faded. Today, women lead many of those meetings and hold top management positions across every farm—something she calls a profound culture shift.

As the agricultural supply chain faces challenges ranging from climate change to labor shortages, Zimmerman-Lommel sees leadership evolving. Strategic collaboration, adaptability, and risk management are essential, she said, but sustainability now sits at the core of the industry’s future.

For young women entering agriculture, sustainability, or produce today, she offers simple but powerful advice: “Break the glass ceiling, grow to your maximum potential, don’t sell yourself short. You can achieve more than you believe, and only you can hold yourself back.”

Looking ahead, she hopes the industry continues to support gender parity, highlight women’s successes, and celebrate their accomplishments.

“Treat these as a core strength, and part of the company’s DNA,” she said.