The food industry has never been more dynamic or full of opportunity, especially for women ready to make their mark in technology, innovation, and leadership. As someone who has traversed nearly every corner of the industry—from fine dining kitchens to food manufacturing, and on to my current role as chief executive of CFIN—I'm often asked to share career advice with emerging professionals.
While the landscape has evolved dramatically since I started my journey, many of the fundamental challenges and opportunities for women in food remain surprisingly consistent. Here are the biggest lessons that I've learned along the way.
Embrace the Unexpected Path
Looking back on my food industry journey, I'm struck by how little my path resembles anything I could have ever hoped to plan out in advance. When I received my English literature degree in 1989, I certainly was not expecting to embark on a career path that would eventually include job titles like chef, food writer, television commentator, director, and now CEO. But here I am, and the zigzagging route I took is precisely what made it all possible. That's lesson number one: your path is your own, one that will unfold unexpectedly.
Many of us crave the certainty and safety that comes with having a well-defined career trajectory. But in my experience, the most fulfilling path is the one you blaze yourself, where you can never be quite sure what is coming around the next bend.
Reliability Beats Raw Talent
Here's a truth that took me years to learn: talent and intellect are nice to have, but enthusiasm and dependability are the real career accelerants. I am what I call "normal smart" and "medium talented" as both a writer and cook. What set me apart was consistently showing up, ready for whatever challenge came my way. That reliability meant I got called on again and again, building a reputation that opened doors I didn't even know existed.
Forget the Illusion of Balance
Another revelation: the mythical work-life balance doesn't exist. Not even close. What does exist is the opportunity to build support systems for yourself, and to support others by contributing to supportive workplace cultures that recognize and accommodate for the non-work demands we all struggle to balance. One small but powerful example of this fact that has stayed with me came when I was working at the University of Guelph, where a senior colleague normalized menopause by openly acknowledging her hot flashes during meetings. That simple act of authenticity did more for workplace culture than a dozen policy memos could have, and set an example of empathetic, supportive leadership that I try to follow as a leader myself.
It also helps to remember that there are seasons to life. And in some seasons, going all-in on work might be what you want, or need, to do. In different seasons, family or other aspects of life might demand the overwhelming majority of your energy. Striving to be “healthfully unbalanced” is probably a more realistic goal for most of us than true work-life balance. One “all-seasons” necessity is to maintain strong social support systems, and that includes trying to cultivate at least one hobby or creative outlet that stands apart from your work identity, as both a stress reliever and a way to transition into new seasons of life when your balance inevitably shifts. Some of my greatest career accomplishments demanded carrying all my eggs in one basket. But I always made sure I had more than one basket. I was always more than just my career.
Networking gets a bad rap. But effective networking does not need to involve collecting business cards at schmoozy cocktail parties. It can instead involve building genuine relationships with people who can vouch for your capabilities. Research shows that women who succeed often focus on developing strong external networks rather than just trying to impress their senior managers. That's why I recommend joining and volunteering within professional organizations. My involvement with organizations like Women in Food Industry Management has provided platforms for building meaningful, authentic connections that lead to the formation of deep relationships that unlocked exciting opportunities.
Challenge the Promotion Paradigm
For those climbing the corporate ladder, be aware of an insidious bias: managers tend to promote men based on perceived potential, but women based on proven performance. Men get tapped for leadership because they "show promise," while equally capable women get passed over because they haven't already managed a team of 20.
Here's how to combat this problem: When applying for roles, explicitly highlight your potential and future capabilities, not just your track record. Frame your achievements in terms of what they demonstrate about your leadership potential. For instance: “Managed the scale-up of our clean-label preservation system from bench to pilot plant, showing I can handle complex cross-functional innovation programs.” Build a strong case for your upward trajectory by highlighting instances where you've quickly mastered new skills or adapted to change, and back up your potential with specific examples of learning agility and adaptability.
Don’t view your past achievements as just a list of accomplishments. They're also proof points of what you're capable of achieving next.
Define Success on Your Own Terms
Finally, resist the urge to define success through someone else's lens. Your path will look different from mine or anyone else's, and that's exactly as it should be. Success could mean launching your own CPG brand, leading a research team, or revolutionizing food safety processes. The beauty of the food industry is that there's room for multiple definitions of achievement, and a near infinite number of ways for any one food career to unfold.
However it may unfold, the food industry needs your voice, your ideas, and your leadership. The challenges we face require diverse perspectives and innovative solutions. So, kick down the doors you want to open, but don't forget to hold them wide for those coming up behind you. I invite you to start by sharing your career insights on FICH for others to learn from as you forge your own path in this dynamic industry!
If you enjoyed this post, I hope you’ll sign up for our upcoming International Women’s Day webinar. Richa Gupta and I will be chatting about lessons learned on our career paths and answering your questions. Sign up and more information can be found here.