Environmental advocate to spearhead greenhouse gas reduction initiatives and promote responsible farming practices at Stemilt

Stemilt has officially welcomed environmental advocate and longtime Wenatchee resident, Jana Fischback, as its new Sustainability Coordinator.

Charged with enhancing the company’s environmental commitment, Fischback will focus on implementing programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, tracking sustainability benchmarks, and fostering collaborative efforts across various departments.

The appointment marks a strategic move by Stemilt to deepen its legacy of responsible agriculture, an approach that has been central to its mission since the late 1980s.

Sustainability has been a guiding principle for Stemilt under its Responsible Choice® program, launched in 1989.

By bringing Fischback on board, the company plans to intensify its focus on programs that reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote social responsibility.

Fischback, who holds a master’s degree in environmental studies from The Evergreen State College and a bachelor’s degree in communication with a public relations emphasis from Washington State University, brings more than seven years of professional experience in sustainability initiatives to the role.

“We are beyond grateful to have found someone as knowledgeable as Jana to fulfill Stemilt’s new role as a Sustainability Coordinator. Sustainability has been part of Stemilt’s journey since 1989, but now we’re able to take it a step further with Jana who will help implement programs for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meet and measure our sustainability goals. Sustainability touches many different areas of Stemilt’s business, so having a coordinator to tie it all together is exciting.”

Lisa Myers, Stemilt’s Food Safety and Compliance Manager

Fischback’s background spans a variety of roles in the environmental field, including positions at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Metro Parks Tacoma, and multiple leadership posts in non-profit sustainability organizations.

Raised in East Wenatchee, she co-founded Sustainable NCW (formerly Sustainable Wenatchee) and served as its Executive Director for six years, later transitioning to Climate Action Coordinator.

During her time with this non-profit, she worked on educational programs that encouraged environmentally conscious living in communities throughout North Central Washington.

Prior to joining Stemilt, she focused on expanding these initiatives and forging partnerships with local businesses, government agencies, and community members.

“Joining Stemilt is truly an honor. The legacy of environmental stewardship is inspiring, and there is so much opportunity to continue on the journey of being an innovative leader in sustainable, regenerative agriculture. I am excited to contribute to a company with global reach, where I can drive initiatives that make a significant, measurable impact.”

Jana Fischback, Sustainability Coordinator at Stemilt Growers

In her newly created role, Fischback will analyze data to gain insight into the company’s progress toward established environmental targets.

She also intends to partner with Stemilt’s Research and Development department, identifying emerging sustainability trends and roadmaps for future initiatives.

According to the company’s own reporting, Stemilt has already undertaken efforts like composting green waste from orchards and packing plants, installing solar panels, and achieving third-party certification for its orchards and warehouses through the Equitable Food Initiative.

Beyond her formal responsibilities, Fischback says she hopes to strengthen an internal culture of sustainability by fostering communication among employees and creating targeted workshops, training sessions, and events.

She believes that collaboration remains the key to expanding and refining the company’s impact in the agricultural sector.

Through these efforts, Stemilt aims to remain on the forefront of responsible farming practices, particularly as consumer demand increases for transparency and eco-friendly approaches.