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I lead the packaging team to deliver safe, compliant, functional and environmentally sound packaging for all product categories. This involves engaging externally with stakeholders, to collaborating on pre-competitive solutions, as well as aligning corporate, GOs and NGOs approaches to packaging sustainability challenges and opportunities.

I really do love my job. Every day is different and with the scale and commitments of Nestlé, I can see how the projects that my team and I are driving can have a positive impact on people and our planet.

You've had a long and varied career in packaging, an industry that's typically male-dominated. What's been your secret to succeeding?

I read Mariama Bâ's novel "So Long a Letter" when I was 13 years old and it influenced me from a young age. It highlights the story of Ramatoulaye, a Senegalese woman who writes a letter to a friend about the difficulties that women face in a male-dominated African society, and the importance of female solidarity in the fight for gender equality. I made myself the promise that it doesn't have to be this way and that I would stand out.

My dad was my role model and I wanted to be an engineer. My mother taught me that my future job should be something that I loved doing, something I was great at, and something which benefitted society. Just before I embarked on the last year of my engineering degree, I became aware of the growing issues of plastic pollution. That's when I decided I wanted to work in packaging sustainability. Nestlé Waters was not only the first to respond but also the best fit for me – and here I am now.

I don't have a magic recipe for success. What has worked for me is an alignment between my personal and professional purpose, perseverance, resilience, and what I would call "a try, fail fast but bounce back mindset".

Has there been any stand-out women who have helped you along the way?

I have not yet had the chance to have a woman as direct line manager. I do, however, have the most invaluable informal network of women peers, where we share our challenges, learnings, opportunities and simply support each other on every occasion.

I believe International Women's Day is also an opportunity to recognise male leaders who stand out for women and encourage more to do so. Throughout my career, I have come across fantastic male allies from whom I have learned a lot and who entrusted me with increasing responsibilities.

What advice would you give to rising female leaders?

Don't try to fit into a mould. Believe in yourself and be yourself - that's how you will add more value to an organisation. It is also important to surround yourself with a strong network of allies who support and encourage you, as well as mentors who can offer you genuine guidance and help you advance in your career. Remember that becoming a successful leader (whatever the gender) takes time, dedication and hard work. Keep learning, growing, developing your skills, and never give up on your dreams and aspirations.

What progress toward equity have you seen at Nestlé?

My team is made up of 60% women, five languages are spoken and employee ages range from 18 to 60. Over the past few years there has been a massive awareness campaign and training for managers and employees on the importance of diversity, inclusion and unconscious biases. I am happy to see that gender balance has increased in the packaging industry. In my early years, I was often the only woman in the meeting room. Nowadays it's rare.

From a personal perspective when I worked in Switzerland, I much appreciated having an additional paid month of maternity leave for both of my children thanks to Nestlé's Parental Support Policy.

Finally, we have a pool of purpose-driven young talents and I want to make sure that we leverage all the experience in the organisation to coach them, provide them with equal opportunities to thrive, and contribute to make the business a Force for Good!