A conversation with Mentee Sophie Bell and Melissa Huizer, WFA Mentorship Lead at the Women in Food & Agriculture Summit Amsterdam

Tara McCarthy, Global Vice President for ESG at Alltech, explains how proof, partnerships, and people-led accountability are turning sustainability from ambition into measurable action across the agri-food value chain.

Every year, the Women in Food & Agriculture Awards shine a spotlight on the people who are quietly, consistently and boldly shaping the future of our industry.  Across food and agriculture, we often hear the same message: the people driving real progress rarely receive the recognition they deserve. The WFA Awards are your chance to change that. By nominating a colleague, a mentor or a leader, you help ensure that their work is seen, valued and celebrated. 

Patricia Stroup, Chief Operating Officer of Horizon Organic and former Chief Procurement Officer at Nestlé SA, said at Expana’s Women in Food and Agriculture (WFA) conference in Chicago that effective leadership hinges on influence, personal branding and stakeholder diplomacy, not rank or authority alone. Stroup outlined a framework that can help advance through a mix of practical tactics and relationship-building within the workplace.   

A panel featuring Luana Clapis, Chief Data Officer of Expana; Natalie McCaffery, AI-LEAF Institute Youth Education Project Lead at AIVO Institute; and Mary Snapp, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Microsoft, held during Expana’s Women in Food & Agriculture in Chicago discussed how artificial intelligence is reshaping the food and agriculture sectors and what leaders must do to navigate the transition.   

Expana’s Women in Food & Agriculture event in Chicago brought together industry leaders to discuss diversity, inclusion, and culture within the sector. Today (September 22) the event’s delegates attended a panel on belonging by design explored building teams and cultures that endure.   

With AI’s potential to reshape the agrifood sector at the top of every leader’s agenda, few bring as much insight and experience to the conversation as Mary Snapp. Over nearly four decades at Microsoft, she broke ground as the company’s first female lawyer and later led major initiatives across engineering, product development, and global philanthropy. 

As the corporate world continues to evolve post-pandemic, leaders like Chantal Randolph-Schall are helping redefine what sustainable success looks like for women in demanding industries. Chantal, Vice President of Operations for Sodexo’s Corporate Services segment, will be hosting a workshop on “Enhancing Productivity Without Burnout” at WFA: Americas, taking place on Monday, September 22 at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Chicago. 

In food and agriculture, the right guidance at the right time can be truly life-changing. That’s exactly why the Women in Food and Agriculture (WFA) Mentorship Program was created- to connect women across the industry with mentors who understand their challenges, support their goals, and help them thrive.  

The WFA: Americas Summit is more than just an industry event. It’s a powerful platform where women leaders in agrifood come together to chart the course for a more resilient, inclusive, and innovative future. Taking place September 21–22, 2025, in Chicago, this gathering celebrates the trailblazing women whose leadership is transforming the food and agriculture sectors through practical innovation and visionary thinking. 

Since its inception, the Women in Food and Agriculture (WFA) Mentorship Program has paired hundreds of female mentees with experienced mentors of any gender, creating a beneficial partnership that improves the skills of both parties. The relationships formed provide the space for career growth, confidence building and meaningful peer support that crosses generations, job descriptions and geographical locations. With the application process for the 2025 program currently open, now is a great time to get involved in this initiative.

Mentorship has long been recognized as one of the most effective tools for personal and professional development. It creates a space where experience meets ambition, where challenges are met with guidance, and where both mentors and mentees gain new experiences and skills. Mentorship can offer a way for people in the industry to take ownership of their careers, build confidence, and foster communities to enact meaningful change.