Megan Jacobsen, 39
Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Gills Onions, Oxnard, CA
June 12, 2026 | 3 min to read
SHORT BIO
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Hobbies: Sourdough bread maker, Health & wellness, Gardener
Family/Community: Lanna Foundation President/Chairman of the Board, The Well Community Church, Missionary work in Thailand, Fresno State Alumni Association
Motto in life: Lead with grit, but listen with grace.
As a fourth-generation fresh grape farmer from Fresno County, Jacobsen is a proven leader. In her current role at Gills Onions, she leads national sales across the U.S. and Canada.
She began her professional path in public relations and community advocacy with The Big Fresno Fair and the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. In 2011, she took a position as director of membership for the California Fresh Fruit Association. In 2015, she transitioned into the private sector, taking a national marketing manager position at Solutions 4Earth, where she focused on soil health and innovative crop nutrition.
This role led to a pivotal role for Gills Onions for more than eight years now. She has built and strengthened partnerships with top foodservice distributors, secured major national accounts, and implemented systems that improve efficiency and decision-making. Her background in policy, communications, and agriculture gives her an edge.
Q: How did you begin working in the produce industry and why?
As a fourth-generation grape farmer, I grew up with the rhythm of the harvest and a deep respect for the land. Farming is in my DNA, and while my family made the difficult decision to sell our operation in 2015, my commitment to the agricultural community only deepened.
I stayed in produce because I believe this industry is the most resilient and essential in the world. I don’t just work in produce to sell a product; I work here to honor my heritage and ensure the next generation of California agriculture has a seat at the table.
Q: What do you wish you knew when you first started your career?
When I first started my career, I wish I had known that resilience is a more valuable asset than perfection. In the beginning, I focused on mastering the technical data and the regulations. While that knowledge is essential, I now know that the ability to build trust, listen to the needs of a customer, and lead with empathy is what moves the needle.
Q: What is the one thing in produce that you are most passionate about?
My greatest passion in this industry is the intersection of holistic wellness and agricultural integrity. We often get caught up in the logistics of the supply chain; however, when you strip all of that away, we are in the business of human health.
We have the privilege of providing the most nutrient-dense, life-giving foods on the planet. As someone who advocates for intuitive movement and holistic health, I find it amazing that our daily work ends up in the hands of mothers and fathers who are just trying to do the best for their children.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career?
The accomplishment I am most proud of is leading our organization through a complex recall process. In the produce industry, a crisis is the ultimate test of a leader’s integrity and transparency. During this period, I served as the primary liaison between our company, federal agencies, and the public. It required a level of “all-in” commitment.
I had to balance the technical demands of food safety protocols with the need for clear, honest communication with our customers and consumers. What makes me proudest isn’t just that we navigated the crisis, but how we emerged from it.
It was a master class in resilience and a reminder that, in produce, your reputation is truly built on how you handle the hard days, not just the successful harvests.
NOMINEES
