Women in Nutraceuticals launched Pilot Mentorship Program for senior-level women

Women in Nutraceuticals (WIN; Chandler, AZ) has launched a Pilot Mentorship Program designed to support senior-level women interested advancing their career to C-suite and board positions in the nutraceuticals industry. A full mentorship program for all senior-level WIN female members is expected to launch in early 2024, as well as a program to serve mid-level managers. The six-month mentorship program focuses on soft skills, such as critical thinking, effective communication, and empathy.

According to WIN, only 37% of senior leadership roles in the nutraceutical industry are filled by women, while 25% of C-suite representation are women, and 22% at the board level are women. One of WIN’s founding goals is to increase the number of women on corporate boards, in C-suit, and leadership positions.

“Based on extensive experiences in leadership functions in corporate structures as well as being an entrepreneur, I know that soft skills and an industry network beyond education and passion are needed to achieve career goals and to make an impact to our industry,” said Sybille Buchwald-Werner, PhD, managing director, Vital Solutions, the co-chair of WIN’s Mentorship Committee, in a press release. “I am grateful for everyone who has accompanied and supported me in my career, and now it is time to give something back. I enjoy working with educated and passionate women to explore their personal goals, set up a career plan, and accompany them on their way to the top.”

“I am excited to help accelerate the number of females in C-lead roles through this initiative,” added May Yamada-Lifton, COO, Maypro, and co-chair of WIN’s Mentorship Committee. “This program will encourage our WIN mentees to be clear on what their goals are, and find mentors who help them gain clarity on what needs to be done to determine their path forward. They will have a cohort of women and mentors to have as accountability partners. As a sector, we will benefit from having future female leaders who will increase the voice and perspective of women in a sector where the consumer is often a woman.”