Women leaders shared insights into their professional journeys during Global Women Fresh’s fifth anniversary celebration at Fruit Logistica in Berlin on 7 February.
Global Women Fresh, a fresh produce industry organisation, was established in 2020 to help close the gender divide across the sector. Its founder and president, Julie Escobar, used the event to highlight various worldwide initiatives aimed at empowering women. One such initiative is the partnership with Cedepas Norte in Peru, which offers agricultural scholarships that equip women with the technical skills needed for a brighter future.
During a panel discussion moderated by Fruitnet’s Maura Maxwell, education was described as essential for advancing women within the global industry. Representatives from Morocco, the US, the UK and Ecuador spoke about their own career paths and the challenges of balancing leadership roles with family life.
The panellists included:
Sara Mouhssine, project manager at Venec SA in Casablanca
Casey Kio, EVP global business at Consalo Family Farms, US
Charlotte Knowles, marketing and communications director at BerryWorld, UK
Miriam Miller Volk, IFPA chief membership officer, US
Diana Freile Leon, CEO of Irubi Terra, Ecuador – who, together with her three sisters, has grown the company into the largest avocado exporter in Ecuador
All five women emphasised how crucial support from both inside and outside their organisations had been to their progress. They also recommended mentoring to the large audience in attendance at Fruit Logistica on its final day.
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