By Cath Isabedra
As we celebrate International Women’s Month, we honor the women who are driving change, breaking barriers, and shaping the future of the food and beverage industry. These leaders and innovators are not only making a difference in their respective fields but are also paving the way for future generations of women to thrive.
Radwa Elsabbagh: Blending science and creativity in food innovation
At just 24, Radwa Elsabbagh is already making her mark as an RD&A Technologist for the Kerry Group, based in Dubai. Originally from Cairo, Egypt, she studied chemical engineering at Monash University in Malaysia before joining Kerry as a fresh graduate. For Radwa, food innovation is the perfect fusion of her passions—science and creativity.
“Working in food innovation is the perfect combination of two of my passions, food and science. As a student studying chemical engineering, I knew I wanted to work in the food industry. I love that when working with food, there’s a lot of creativity involved, and there are no limits to the different ideas and flavors that can be created in the lab.”
Working in the Middle East as a young woman in a technical and customer-facing role has presented challenges, from overcoming initial doubts about her competence to earning the trust of clients who often prefer speaking with more senior male colleagues.
“With a technical role like mine, there’s a tendency for customers to prefer speaking to a more senior male colleague, and there are times when I sense I am not taken seriously. As I continue learning and growing in my career, I hope to build the confidence to face these kinds of challenges.”
Radwa is also committed to sustainability and consumer health, making incremental but meaningful changes in beverage product development.
“Not every product is solely focused on health or sustainability, but in my role, there are small changes we can do to provide better options for consumers. For example, we always work on finding sugar reduction solutions as it is a big challenge for the beverage industry, and it provides a healthier product for the consumer.”
She believes that “the best way to break certain mindsets towards women is to simply start with myself, by always speaking out and making my voice heard whenever I can.”
Angela Lu: Leading with purpose and fostering inclusivity
As President and General Manager of SIG Asia-Pacific South, Angela Lu exemplifies leadership in the packaging industry. Though she never actively pursued leadership roles, her passion for creating meaningful impact and caring for people naturally led her to the top.
“I didn’t pursue leadership; however, I assumed leadership roles very often from young, probably because of my passion for creating meaningful impact and caring about the people working together around me.”
With over a decade of leadership experience across Switzerland, China, Australia, Thailand, and Singapore, she has witnessed firsthand how diversity drives innovation.
“Women bring unique perspectives that challenge the status quo and develop creative solutions, caring for people and fostering collaboration. When we empower women at all levels, we unlock creativity, improve decision-making, and build stronger organizations.”
Angela believes empowering women is not just about fairness—it’s a business imperative. She encourages aspiring women leaders to trust their abilities, embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and build strong networks of mentors and allies.
“To women aspiring to lead in this industry, my advice is simple: trust your abilities and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. The landscape is changing, and leadership today isn’t just about expertise—it’s about adaptability, vision, and the courage to make a difference. Surround yourself with mentors and allies who will challenge and elevate you.”
Joan O’Shea: Championing food safety and gender equality from farm to fork
Joan O’Shea, Senior Vice President and Global Head for Quality & Food Safety at ofi, began her career in a factory as a lab supervisor, where she saw how lapses in quality affected entire supply chains.
“Starting as a lab supervisor, I saw how lapses in quality could ripple from farms to families. When I started my career in quality and food safety, the teams making critical decisions lacked diversity. Women, though skilled and playing multiple roles across the supply chain, were often underrepresented in technical and leadership roles.”
In her early years, she was often the only woman in factory management meetings, challenging gender norms in an industry where leadership and technical roles were predominantly male.
“Early in my career, I was frequently the only woman in factory management meetings, battling assumptions that technical roles were ‘male domains.’ Moving across the globe to Asia also posed an added challenge, where progress demanded cultural agility and nuance.”
Her journey has been shaped by resilience, mentorship, and a commitment to driving change. Today, she leads a global team dedicated to strengthening food safety systems while also advocating for women’s inclusion across the supply chain.
“Food safety thrives on driving change, vigilance, and understanding of consumer needs. Like gender equality, there is also a need for collective action, partnerships, and intentional interventions every step of the way.”
Joan is an advocate for ofi programs that empower female farmers in Indonesia, Vietnam, and beyond, helping them gain technical skills, leadership opportunities, and economic independence.
“In 2023 alone, more than 4,500 women participated in training sessions to learn technical skills and land-management practices, gaining confidence to become a decision-maker and leader on the farm. These efforts may seem small to some but have an overall positive ripple effect across the community and broader supply chain.”
Carrie-Ann Lee: Driving innovation and consumer-centric solutions in flavor science
Carrie-Ann Lee is the Director, Flavours Business Lead, APeC at ADM, where she oversees the strategy and growth of flavor solutions for the region. With over 15 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, she has built strong expertise in commercial leadership and marketing, helping brands develop products that meet evolving consumer needs.
“I’ve always been fascinated by how food connects people and shapes experiences. What drew me to this field was the opportunity to combine science, innovation, and creativity to make a real difference in how we eat and drink. The ever-changing nature of the industry, driven by new technologies and shifting consumer expectations, keeps it both challenging and exciting.”
Carrie-Ann has navigated challenges that many women in leadership face, particularly balancing career growth with family responsibilities.
“Across industries, gender biases can influence career progression, particularly during childbearing years, when many women balance professional growth with family responsibilities. While there is still work to be done, I have seen progress in fostering a more inclusive workplace.”
She believes that a consumer-first approach is key to meaningful change in sustainability, technology, and health.
“Consumer health is not just about adding nutrition to products—it is about delivering it in a way that fits seamlessly into people’s lives. Factors like taste, texture, and format all play a critical role in whether a product resonates with consumers. At ADM, we recognize that no single approach fits all, and by leveraging science-backed solutions, we make food more accessible and enjoyable for consumers everywhere.”
Celebrating women driving change
The stories of Radwa, Angela, Joan, and Carrie-Ann reflect the resilience, passion, and leadership of women in food and beverage. Whether through innovation, corporate leadership, or grassroots initiatives, these women are making an impact, not only in their organizations but also in the lives of consumers and communities worldwide.
This article first came out in our “The Future in Your Plate: How AI and Smart Kitchens are Reshaping Food Innovation” issue.
