Last week, CFIN hosted an engaging discussion in commemoration of International Women’s Day. Featuring Dana McCauley, CEO of the Canadian Food Innovation Network, and Jo-Ann McArthur, President of Nourish Marketing, the session explored the unique challenges and opportunities for women in the food sector, touching on barriers they’ve faced, lessons learned, and the broader impact of gender inequality in leadership, entrepreneurship, and corporate culture.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the discussion.
Women Entrepreneurs in the Food Industry Face Unique Barriers
For many women, entrepreneurship is about overcoming systemic obstacles as much as it is about building a business. Dana and Jo-Ann discussed how female founders still receive disproportionately less funding than their male counterparts, making it harder to scale food businesses. Many investors still favor male-led companies, making it harder for female founders to scale their businesses. Initiatives like the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) are becoming more commonplace, but a significant funding gap remains.
Retailers were also identified as key players in supporting women-owned food brands. Shelf placement, promotional campaigns, and visibility efforts can make a substantial difference in helping women-led businesses succeed in the competitive food sector.
Women’s Leadership in the Food Industry: More Progress Needed
The discussion highlighted that while there has been progress in women’s leadership, systemic biases persist. There remains a significant gender gap in executive positions, and many leadership roles continue to be dominated by men. Indeed, as Jo-Ann shared, S&P 500 companies had more CEOs named John than women CEOs until 2023—which puts the gender imbalance in stark perspective.
Women in the industry often find themselves having to prove their capabilities repeatedly, while men are more likely to be promoted based on their potential. Both Dana and Jo-Ann emphasized that women should own their expertise and step into leadership roles with confidence, even in spaces where they are underrepresented. They also reflected on how historical gender inequalities—such as restrictions on women’s financial independence—have had a lasting impact on the workplace today.
Navigating the Gender Pay Gap and Salary Negotiations
One of the most actionable takeaways from the discussion was how women approach salary negotiations. Studies show that women tend to ask for raises and promotions less frequently than men, and when they do, they often request lower amounts. Women are also more likely to be evaluated based on what they have already accomplished, whereas men are often considered for advancement based on what they might achieve in the future.
Dana and Jo-Ann emphasized the importance of knowing market salary benchmarks, preparing for negotiations in advance, and confidently articulating one’s value. They also discussed strategies for advocating for fair pay, including negotiating from a position of strength and not undervaluing one’s contributions.
Watch the Recording and Learn More
For a deeper dive into these insights, you can find the full recording of the webinar on YouTube.
Want to continue the discussion? Head to CFIN’s Food Innovator Career Hub (FICH), where Dana has written more about her biggest lessons from a career in food and the power of mentorship for women pursuing food sector careers. Jo-Ann also expanded on this discussion in a Nourish Food Marketing blog post.
Be sure to also keep an eye on our events page for details on upcoming webinars, as we continue to unpuzzle the food industry’s biggest challenges and opportunities.