The Global Impact of Women in Foodservice: Insights from Industry Leaders

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognize the incredible contributions of women in the foodservice industry—spanning culinary, sales, marketing, operations, and leadership roles. From driving innovation to fostering inclusivity, their voices shape the industry’s future. 

We spoke with seven inspiring women from across Nestlé Professional, each sharing their career journeys, challenges, and perspectives on how the industry can continue to grow and embrace diversity. Here are some highlights from their insights. 

María Alejandra Martin – Business Executive Officer, Ecuador 

“Balance ambition with well-being. Stay grounded but shoot for the moon.” 

Maria Alejandra’s career has spanned nearly two decades, with leadership roles in Venezuela and Ecuador. She advocates for collective action in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), emphasizing the need for coaching, mentorship, and accountability in leadership to drive long-term industry change. 

Venecia Mena Bautista – Trade Asset Manager, Mexico 

“I use my strength to help people overcome their fears and move forward with confidence.” 

With 15 years of experience in foodservice technical services, Venecia has championed operational efficiency and innovation. She led the implementation of Logical Route, a tool optimizing technical visits and ensuring team safety. She emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself, embracing challenges, and continuously learning. 

Pamela López – Country Business Lead, Costa Rica 

“Stay curious, stay hungry.” – Steve Jobs 

Pamela’s journey started in sales, where she learned the fundamentals before advancing into leadership roles managing multi-country teams. She highlights mentorship, diversity initiatives, and proactive leadership training as key to fostering inclusion in the industry. Her advice? Confidence, continuous learning, and networking are crucial for success. 

Dora R. Marquez – Marketing Director One Cup / GM OOH Puerto Rico 

“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” – Sheryl Sandberg 

Dora has built a career bridging brand development with customer success, focusing on coffee and beverage solutions. She stresses the power of mentorship, persistence, and authenticity, encouraging young women to step out of their comfort zones and advocate for themselves.

María José Barniol – Food & Beverage Manager, Ecuador 

“The participation of women in the professional world is essential for driving innovation, diversity, and sustainable growth within organizations.” 

María José is passionate about team collaboration and execution in the foodservice industry. She encourages women to embrace new opportunities, take calculated risks, and trust their abilities, sharing her own experience of overcoming doubts when stepping into leadership. 

Cassandra Hoover – Senior Manager, Nutrition and Sustainability 

“Volunteer to learn and to lead.” 

With a background in nutrition and sustainability, Cassandra is passionate about solving customer challenges while making a positive impact. Inspired by her grandmother’s deep respect for food and nature, she advises women to seek leadership opportunities, embrace challenges, and cultivate resilience. 

Caridad Estella Barillas-Batarse – Country Business Leader, Guatemala 

“The key is always to be yourself.” 

Caridad’s career has taken her from restaurant operations to multinational leadership, and she now leads Nestlé Professional Guatemala. She champions women’s representation in strategic decision-making, urging companies to showcase women leaders, offer mentorship programs, and implement unconscious bias training. 

Virginia Martinez Ruiz - Senior Marketing Professional, Nestlé Professional Mexico

"Out of Home is truly a business that requires a lot of technical knowledge, close follow-up, and lots of patience, but at the same time, it is a very noble business with many opportunities, especially in services".

Virginia is responsible for the short, medium, and long-term strategy of the Dairy, Confectionery, and Culinary categories for the OOH sector, involving innovation and renovation, portfolio penetration, demand generation, co-branding, and new growth platforms for Nestlé Professional.

Shaping the Future of Women in Foodservice 

These women are driving real change, proving that the foodservice industry is not only diverse but also full of opportunities for women to excel. 

By supporting education, mentorship, and leadership development, businesses can empower more women to thrive in the industry.