Leading Women of Horticulture: Gladys Opiyo, Profile Growing Solutions

With more than 15 years of horticulture experience, Gladys Opiyo, director of sales for North American growers at Profile Growing Solutions, boasts hands-on experience growing both plants and customer relationships within the industry.

Read our Q&A with Opiyo below for the Leading Women of Horticulture issue:

Anthony Elder: How did you get involved in horticulture?

Gladys Opio: It really started with a love of flowers. I’ve always loved them, especially roses. The turning point for me came when I was studying in Costa Rica. I was pursuing a degree in agronomic engineering, which is essentially a hands-on agriculture program that also incorporates business and equipment training. During that time, we had an opportunity to do an internship, and I chose to return home to Uganda.

I interned with the Uganda Flower Exporters Association, and that experience completely opened my eyes. I had the chance to visit several flower farms — many of them growing roses for export — and it hit me: flowers are a global business. I had never thought about that before. Even though I was only at each farm for a short time, it sparked something in me and set me on this path.

AE: What is your favorite thing about working in horticulture now?

GO: The people, without a doubt. What’s incredible about this industry is that, even though we’re technically competitors, everyone is willing to help each other. If you run into a problem, you can call another grower and ask, “Are you seeing this too? How did you handle it?” And they’ll share their knowledge openly.

That kind of collaboration is rare. It really feels like a big family. People are passionate about what they do, and there’s a shared goal of growing beautiful, healthy plants for consumers. That positivity and willingness to support one another is something I truly value.

AE: Can you tell me about your role at Profile Products and some of your key accomplishments?

GO: I’ve been with Profile for nearly nine years now, and it’s been an incredible journey.

I started as a technical representative, focusing on trials and working directly with growers. That role gave me the opportunity to travel, meet different growers across the U.S., and learn how varied greenhouse operations can be. Every grower does things a little differently, but we all aim for the same result — high-quality, sellable plants.

From there, I moved into sales and was able to grow the business significantly in my region. At one point, my territory became so large that we had to split it and bring in another team member. That growth was a major milestone for me.

Later, I transitioned into a key accounts role, and shortly after that, I stepped into my current position as director. Having been with the company through so many stages has given me a strong understanding of where we started and where we’re going. Today, I focus on the grower side of the business, helping ensure we’re providing the best solutions and support possible.

AE: Mentorship is an important topic in this industry. What does mentorship look like for you?

GO: Mentorship, for me, is about growing people. Earlier in my career, I was focused on growing plants and managing production. Now, I’m in a position where I can help develop others. I currently have two women on my team, but mentorship goes beyond that—it’s about supporting anyone who’s looking to grow.

It’s really rewarding to see people develop their skills and confidence. When individuals grow, the entire company benefits.

AE: What advice would you give to young women looking to enter horticulture?

GO: Be bold and just jump in. Don’t doubt yourself when opportunities come up. It’s easy to feel like you’re not ready or don’t know enough, but you’d be surprised how many people in this industry are willing to support you.

There are so many great networks now, including women-focused events and groups, where you can learn from others’ experiences. I’ve met people who left completely different careers or started farms with no prior experience, and they’ve succeeded because they were willing to take that leap and ask for help along the way.

This industry is incredibly supportive. If you’re interested, go for it — and don’t be afraid to grow into it.