Karen Caplan

Karen lead her California-based family wholesale produce business, Frieda’s Specialty Produce since 1986, as CEO and President until 2023, when she and her sister Jackie sold the company.  

Frieda’s Specialty Produce is a legendary marketing phenomenon.  When food marketing textbooks look for pioneers, they feature Karen, her mother, Frieda, and their company, Frieda’s Specialty Produce, as they are credited with turning Chinese gooseberry (which Frieda later renamed the KIWIFUIT) into the first new fruit to be introduced in America, since the banana, in the 1860s. They are credited with introducing more than 200 new fruits and vegetables to US consumers. 

Their signature color purple and their innovative approach to labeling and marketing garnered the company some amazing recognition:  People Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, Fortune Magazine, INC. Magazine, Nation’s Business, VISION Magazine plus countless others.

Karen has been a trailblazing leader in the food industry, serving as the Chair of the USDA Fruit & Vegetable Advisory Committee to Secretary Ann Veneman; a Director of the Federal Reserve Bank, Los Angeles branch; first female Chair of United Fresh Produce Association; President of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners); Board member of The International Women’s Forum and currently serves on the board of the Girl Scouts of Orange County.

She has been writing a weekly business blog since 2011 and is a well-known thought leader in the food industry.  After selling the company, she launched an Executive Coaching and Consulting practice, working with entrepreneurs and business leaders to grow their businesses and leadership skills.

She is an avid athlete and has scaled Macchu Picchu in Peru, trekked with the gorillas in Rwanda and during COVID ran four half-marathons.  She took up golfing in 2021 and has now golfed 25 of the top 100 golf courses.