Female leaders drive sustainable change, transform global food systemsFemale leaders drive sustainable change, transform global food systems

Thirteen years ago, the natural products industry looked markedly different. Women CEOs were rare, and the interconnected challenges of climate change, packaging waste and social equity weren't being addressed with the urgency they demanded. Today, a transformation is underway, driven in large part by women leaders who are reshaping how the industry approaches these systemic challenges.

This shift goes beyond representation—it's transforming how we solve complex problems. Just look at what happens when women lead: They build bridges and tackle challenges together. The Climate Collaborative, JEDI Collaborative, OSC Packaging Collaborative and OSC Women's Circles were all co-founded by women CEOs who understood a simple truth: The biggest challenges in our food system need all of us working together.

The data supports what these leaders have long understood: Women's leadership catalyzes systemic change. Research shows that if women had equal access to agricultural resources, they could increase farm yields 20% to 30%, potentially feeding an additional 150 million people worldwide, according to Feed The Future, a program of the federal government's Global Hunger & Food Insecurity Initiative. When women in food systems are empowered, they're more likely to reinvest income into household nutrition, health and education, creating ripple effects that strengthen and uplift entire communities.

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Yet barriers persist. Despite entering business at the same rate as men, women represent only 40% of managers and a mere 28% of C-Suite executives, reported "Women in the Workplace 2023" from McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.org. This sharp decline means many women find themselves as the "only" or "few" on their teams, leading to increased microaggressions, lower job satisfaction and workplace isolation.

The solution lies in building stronger networks and support systems. Peer mentoring circles, for instance, have emerged as powerful incubators for leadership development. When women support other women, studies show they progress faster in their careers than those solely supported by men. These networks become catalysts for innovation and resilience—exactly what our food systems need.

Organizations like One Step Closer (OSC) have witnessed this transformation firsthand. What began as an intention to increase women's representation at the CEO level has evolved into a movement where over half of their CEO members are women. These leaders aren't just running successful companies, they're pioneering collaborative approaches to industry-wide challenges.

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The economic impact of such transformation is compelling. Closing gender gaps in agrifood systems could increase global GDP by nearly $1 trillion and reduce global food insecurity by at least 2 percentage points, affecting approximately 45 million people, according to CGIAR's report, What do we know about the future of gender equality in relation to food system transformation? Yet this potential remains largely untapped.

Looking ahead, several key actions could accelerate this transformation:

The future of our food system depends on embracing diverse perspectives and empowering the women leading the way. By supporting women's leadership development today, we're investing in more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems for tomorrow.

As the industry gathers at Natural Products Expo West this March, these themes will take center stage. Industry leaders including Aarti Shahani, Sherry Frey, Lara Dickinson, Alissa Vescio, and Angi Rassi will explore how diverse leadership can drive meaningful change in our food systems. Their collective experience offers valuable insights into how we can accelerate the transformation our food systems urgently need.

The evidence is clear: when women lead, food systems improve. The question now is not whether to support women's leadership, but how to accelerate it.

Natural Products Expo West, the leading trade show in the natural, organic and healthy products industry, is open March 4-7 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Registration prices increase March 2.