When it comes to handling HR, these four professionals have it down to a craft: Cherry Hurtado, Kelsey Lien, Stephanie Forbes, and Gabriela Pena. Together, they don’t just keep things running smoothly for Fruit Growers Supply (FGS) — they also manage HR for Sunkist. That’s two companies, one amazing team.
Catching up with them wasn’t easy (hello, year-end chaos: budgets, audits, open enrollment!), but these pros know how to make things happen. So, we sat down to learn more about what makes this powerhouse team tick.
How long have you been working for FGS and Sunkist? What keeps you here?
Cherry Hurtado, Talent Acquisition Sr. Specialist: I’ve been with the company for three years. I love the team! Your day flies by when you’re surrounded by people like this. Everyone’s always teaching you something new, and I get to learn beyond recruiting. I’m growing my skills across all aspects of HR.
Kelsey Lien, HR Generalist: It’s been nine years for me. Managing HR for two companies — FGS and Sunkist — is pretty unique. We treat it as one big employee population, which is really special. Plus, our team is tight-knit. We laugh, we collaborate, and we even make the tough parts of HR enjoyable. And there’s plenty of good stuff too, like leadership development and benefits!
Gabriela Pena, HR Coordinator: I joined a year and a half ago, and I love it. My role lets me dip into so many different parts of HR — onboarding, learning and development, audits — there’s always something new. The variety keeps it exciting.
Stephanie Forbes, HR Generalist: I’m the newbie, with just over a year here. What’s unique about this department is how much we’re encouraged to grow. Leadership gives us autonomy and responsibilities that have a real impact. It’s empowering!
What are some other unique initiatives that the HR department oversees?
Gabriela Pena: Our wellness program is always a hit! Last year, we launched a month-long walking challenge. The goal was 100,000 steps, but some people got super competitive. One person hit over 300,000!
Stephanie Forbes: This year, we introduced a Volunteer Time Off program. Employees had expressed an interest in giving back, so we made it happen. Now, they can get paid to volunteer a set number of hours each year. It’s been amazing seeing people support food banks, rescue missions, and local events.
Cherry Hurtado: One of my favorites was our first annual family picnic. We hosted events across all three districts, and it brought everyone together. Families joined in, and it was a great way to connect.
Stephanie Forbes: That picnic was a blast! Our CEO and COO’s even went in the dunk tank. Safe to say, they were great sports about it!
As the year wraps up, what’s keeping the HR department busy?
Kelsey Lien: Year-end is packed with open enrollment, reviews, audits, budgets, and company initiatives. It all comes together at once, but we push through and get it done.
Gabriela Pena: And don’t forget the holiday events! We keep things festive throughout November and December, which is always a nice way to end the year.
Why they shine:
It’s clear this team is more than just HR pros; they’re the heart of their organizations. From championing wellness and volunteering to fostering personal and professional growth, Cherry, Kelsey, Stephanie, and Gabriela make HR more than policies and paperwork — they make it personal.
Here’s to a stellar year for this dynamic team and all the good they bring to FGS and Sunkist!
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