After serving the National Mango Board (NMB) for eleven years, Wendy McManus will leave the organization in June 2018 to pursue a career in business coaching. Her focus will be on energizing leaders and their teams to pursue their highest value work and reach their goals with greater ease. McManus is currently engaged in a yearlong coach-training program and will qualify for professional certification next year.
According to McManus, working with a business coach was a game changer for her and her team at the NMB. “The process felt so natural, and I was making big leaps every time I met with my coach”, said McManus. “I was able to identify some of my own blind spots that were holding the team back.”
“After a few months of coaching, my management style had shifted. When the team responded positively, I knew I was on to something”, said McManus. Cece Krumrine, Retail Account Manager for the NMB said, “I have been privileged to work with Wendy at the NMB and before that at the National Watermelon Promotion Board. It’s been exciting to witness the evolution of her leadership style, especially over these recent years”.
McManus believes the NMB retail team’s outcomes over the past two years are living proof that coaching works, and she wants to bring these benefits to the produce industry. “Although I’m leaving the NMB, I have no plans to leave the produce industry, which has become like a family to me”, said McManus. “I’m excited to bring my coaching know-how, along with a deep understanding of the industry, to help produce teams build connection and generate outstanding results.”
As the NMB’s first Marketing Director, McManus drove the board’s early efforts to engage and educate consumers, retailers and foodservice operators. In 2012, McManus shifted into the Retail Program Manager position where she was able to focus on her strengths in the retail produce space. In this role, she led the NMB’s team of retail account managers through a period of tremendous growth and change, including the introduction of mango ripening at retail. “Our retail program was fairly simple when we first started, but it has become much more sophisticated, especially over the past five years”, said McManus. “Our board has challenged us to continually improve how we work with retailers to move more mangos year-round, and the retail team has been up to the challenge.”
The NMB’s next Retail Program Manager will work closely with McManus during the transition to learn the ins and outs of the NMB retail program. “I’m eager to mentor the person who will take on my responsibilities,” said McManus. “I care deeply about the people in the mango industry, and I want to help prepare our new team member for success in this position.”
McManus will attend PMA Fresh Summit and will be speaking with produce professionals to learn about their biggest leadership challenges.
Contact:
Wendy McManus
Connect 2 Potential
Tel: (321) 695-3706