Karley Lange, 39
Director, North American Promotions, Northwest Cherries/ Washington State Fruit Commission, Yakima, WA
June 12, 2026 | 3 min to read
SHORT BIO
Hometown: Yakima, WA
Hobbies: Riding side-by-sides in the mountains, Gardening, Cooking, Ag networking activities
Family/Community: Married, 1 child
Motto: When things get tough, persevere and push forward — great things come to those who work for it.
As the director of North American Promotions for Northwest Cherries, Lange helps lead promotions representing growers in five states, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Montana.
She heads up U.S. and Canadian promotional programs for Northwest fresh sweet cherries. In this role, she strengthens retailer partnerships and drives category growth across multiple channels. She designs and executes integrated marketing campaigns informed by consumer research and market insights, oversees digital platforms and retail advertising programs, and expands brand visibility and audience reach.
Her career with Northwest Cherries began in 2015 and reflects progressive growth through increasingly responsible roles, beginning as a domestic marketing assistant, advancing to marketing specialist, and ultimately leading to her current leadership position. Along this path, she has led the development and execution of national marketing and promotional programs across the U.S. and Canada. She has overseen website management, social media strategy, subcontractor coordination, and program analytics to improve performance and ROI across initiatives.
She takes pride in being part of a team delivering measurable impact for growers through creativity, strategic execution, and data-driven decision-making.
Q: How did you begin working in the produce industry and why?
Previously, I was in the medical field and was ready for a change. After graduating from college, I saw an opportunity to start fresh. Agriculture is such a huge part of the Yakima Valley, and I thought it would be a fun and interesting field to be part of.
Q: What do you wish you knew when you first started your career?
Anything is possible. When I started at Northwest Cherries, I learned that an agricultural career can come with its share of challenges, and that growth opportunities don’t happen every day. However, I’ve been fortunate to spend 11 years here growing, learning, and advancing. That experience taught me not to limit myself or my potential and that with hard work and dedication, I am helping the Northwest Cherries team and our growers and industry partners to continue to reach new goals.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career?
While it was a difficult and unexpected situation, I’m most proud of stepping up during a critical time for our organization. Our president fell ill and went on medical leave right at the start of cherry season, and I was asked to take on his responsibilities in addition to my own.
It was a whirlwind and came with a lot of pressure, especially during such a pivotal time for the industry. Despite the challenge and the big shoes to fill, I was able to step in along with many members of the team, keep things moving forward, and successfully manage everything that came our way. I was also quite appreciative of the support I received from the industry.
Q: Where do you think growth happens the most?
Growth happens when all areas work together, but sales and marketing play a critical role in connecting the product to the consumer. Without that connection and clear messaging, even the best product can go unnoticed.
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