Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Events
CAFES organizes events throughout the year focused on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. These events are designed to bring together people from across the college, campus and community to celebrate diversity and inclusion, learn from each other, and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Aspire to Grow 2025
Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders: Diversity and Innovation in Food and Agriculture
The seventh-annual Aspire to Grow Conference explores innovation in the food, agriculture and natural resource sectors. The symposium focuses on the role diversity of thought and experience plays in achieving this.
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
3:30 – 5 p.m. | panel discussion
5 – 6 p.m. | networking social
Location: JUSTIN and J. LOHR Center for Wine and Viticulture (Bldg. 156)
Click here to view the event recording.
Student co-chairs:
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Averie Konefat, agricultural science major
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Angeli Morales, agricultural science major
Speakers (to date)
Joe Del Bosque
Owner // Del Bosque Farms
Joe L Del Bosque is a farmer from Firebaugh, California. He has been involved in farming all his life on the westside of the San Joaquin Valley where his family settled after years of migrant farm work. He graduated from California State University, Fresno in 1975, and began his own farm in 1985. Today his farm produces organic melons, organic wheat, organic tomatoes, almonds, and cherries. His melons can be found in some of America’s finest grocery stores.
Del Bosque has a long history of water advocacy and was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the serve on the California Water Commission in 2010. He was subsequently reappointed by Governor Jerry Brown. He has served on the board of directors of the Central Valley Community Foundation and the Agricultural Foundation of CSU Fresno. He is past chair of AgSafe, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing safer working conditions for workers in agriculture. He formerly served as a director of the Pacheco Water District and the San Joaquin Valley Drainage Authority. Del Bosque is a member of the California Latino Water Coalition, Western Growers Association, California Melon Research Board, and California Farm Bureau. He currently serves on board of the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.
In 2015, Del Bosque was recognized with the Agriculturalist of the Year Award by the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. As an advocate for California agriculture, Del Bosque has been featured in national and international news, including NPR, CBS, NBC, BBC, Univision, LA Times, New York Times, and many others. In February of 2014, President Barack Obama and Governor Jerry Brown visited Del Bosque Farms to better understand the impacts of California’s drought on farms and farming communities.
Del Bosque is married to his partner, Maria Gloria, and together they have six daughters.
Bailey Pankratz
College Recruiter // Land O’Lakes
Bailey Pankratz is a college relations recruiter at Land O'Lakes where he specializes in sourcing and screening top emerging talent in supply chain as well as forging key partnerships in the early career space. He co-leads the Land O'Lakes steering committee for Minorities in Agricultural, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS). He also co-leads an annual immersive scholarship program for first year students with the mission of providing professional development, career exposure, and networking opportunities to MANRRS students early in their education to promote the opportunities that exist in agriculture and increase diversity within the agriculture industry. Outside of his day-to-day responsibilities at Land O'Lakes, Bailey is active on the LOL Amigos Employee Resource Group where he coordinates Hispanic Heritage Month. He has a bachelor's degree in business management and marketing from Washburn University. After beginning his recruiting career in skilled trades, he shifted to recruiting healthcare workers early in the pandemic before finding his niche in the agriculture industry with Land O'Lakes, where he has been for the past three years. His passion is helping students transition to careers that align with their professional goals, skills, and interests.
Anna Leigh Peek
North America Talent Programs Manager // Nutrien Ag Solutions
Anna Leigh Peek is the North America Talent Programs Manager for Nutrien Ag Solutions, the world’s largest ag retailer. Anna Leigh’s love and passion for agriculture sprouted while growing up on her family’s cotton and grain farm in Elkmont, Alabama. She completed a degree in agricultural communications from Auburn University in 2014 with the goal of being a voice for agriculture.
She began her professional career as an intern at Monsanto, working in the Dakotas, which led to a full-time role in consumer engagement at their St. Louis headquarters. During her time at Monsanto, Anna Leigh worked with consumers and farmers to deepen their understanding of biotechnology and plant breeding. She also collaborated with social influencers to enhance awareness of agriculture. After her time at Monsanto, Anna Leigh joined the US Poultry and Egg Association in Atlanta, GA, where she focused on communications work within the poultry industry.
Anna Leigh joined Nutrien Ag Solutions in 2018 as a recruiter and trainer in the southern US. Since then, she has continued to grow her own career while helping others develop in the learning and development space. She and her team lead Nutrien Ag Solutions' Emerging Talent Program for new graduates, internship programs, the Retail Ag Mentoring Program (RAMP), and the Sales Development Program. She is based out of Nutrien Ag Solutions' headquarters in Loveland, CO.
Maeve Pesquera
Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Luxury // O'Neill Vintners & Distillers
Maeve Pesquera is a distinguished luxury brand executive and Chief Marketing Officer at O'Neill Vintners & Distillers, based in Paso Robles, California. With extensive experience in wine, hospitality, and luxury brand sectors, she brings a strategic approach to brand building and customer-centric innovation.
A certified sommelier with multiple wine and spirits certifications, Pesquera has built an impressive career spanning key leadership roles. During her tenure as Senior Vice President at DAOU Family Estates and her 14-year career with Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, she demonstrated exceptional ability in driving revenue growth and implementing innovative programs. At Fleming's, she managed over $80M in annual net sales volume and pioneered the WiNEPAD project to enhance customer experience.
A graduate of the University of Houston's Hilton School of Hotel and Restaurant Management, Pesquera has earned numerous accolades including the Warren LeRuth Commitment to Quality Award. She continues to serve the industry through board positions with MUST! Charities and previously with the Paso Robles CAB Collective. Known for her dedication to mentoring emerging talent, Pesquera combines strategic brand development with a deep understanding of luxury market dynamics to drive transformative guest experiences and business growth.
Edgar Torres
Owner and Winemaker /// Bodega de Edgar and Hug Cellars
Edgar Torres is the owner and winemaker of Bodega de Edgar and Hug Cellars in Paso Robles, California, where he has established himself as the region's first Mexican-American winemaker. Born in Michoacán, Mexico, Edgar came to the United States at age 8 and was raised in Cambria, California, where his journey in the wine industry would eventually begin.
His passion for wine developed while working in the restaurant industry, where he started as a waiter before becoming a "cellar rat" for local wineries. This hands-on experience, combined with his appreciation for Spanish wines discovered during his college years, led him to launch Bodega de Edgar in 2007. Starting with just four barrels of Grenache from Denner Vineyard, Edgar has grown his operation to produce approximately 2,600 cases annually, focusing on Spanish varietals including garnacha, albariño, torrontés, and tempranillo.
In addition to running his own brands, Edgar has become a respected figure in the Paso Robles wine community, collaborating with and learning from mentors like Jacob Toft, Chris Cherry of Tablas Creek, and other Hispanic winemakers in the region. His wines have gained significant recognition, with unique blends like E-Squared, Mis Pasos, El CABRhONe, and La Guera each telling a piece of his family's story.
Today, Edgar operates two tasting locations in Paso Robles, where he continues to expand his footprint while maintaining his commitment to small-batch, quality wines. His success story exemplifies the value of hard work, perseverance, and staying true to one's heritage, as he combines his Mexican roots with his passion for Spanish-style wines to create a unique presence in California's wine industry.
