Women in Nutraceuticals (WIN) a nonprofit led by global nutraceutical business leaders, has launched a pilot mentorship program for the industry.
 
According to research from WIN, only 37% of leadership roles in the nutraceuticals industry are filled by women. Representation in the C-suite is 25%, while only 22% of the board level is made up of women. Greater gender parity in senior leadership leads to more positive business outcomes and engaged employees, WIN reported, citing McKinsey data.
 
As part of its founding goal to increase the number of women on corporate boards, the pilot mentorship program launching this fall will support senior-level women seeking to advance to C-suite and board positions. The expectation is to launch a full mentorship program to all senior-level WIN female members by early 2024, along with a program to serve mid-level managers.
 
“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. “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.”
 
WIN’s six-month mentorship program is focused on soft skills, including critical thinking, creativity, effective communication, and empathy. Mentees, WIN reports, are women who are passionate about the nutraceuticals industry, comfortable with objective feedback and proactive learning, and committed to investing time in the relationship and professional development. Mentors are men or women who offer significant experience and stature, understanding of the nutraceuticals industry, and a desire to collaborate on the mentee’s professional development goals.
 
“I am excited to help accelerate the number of females in C-lead roles through this initiative,” said May Yamada-Lifton, COO of 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.”
 
WIN members may now apply to be a mentor or mentee in the fall cohort of the pilot program. To apply, and for more information, visit WIN’s website.