Empowering Women in Nutraceuticals: A Call to Action on International Women’s Day

At Women In Nutraceuticals (WIN), we offer tools, networking, visibility and mentoring to create an environment where women have an equal place in the leadership and evolution of the global nutraceutical industry, and where they can reap equally personal fulfillment, social and economic benefits.

On International Women’s Day, we recognize the women who have paved the way for progress and the collective work still needed to achieve true gender equity.

Below, you will find WIN members from across the globe sharing their thoughts on why International Women’s Day is important to recognize and celebrate, and what we can do together to uplift women into leadership positions.

Accelerating Action with Dr. Sybille Buchwald-Werner: Advancing Gender Parity Through Leadership and Mentorship

Dr. Sybille Buchwald-Werner, Director of Business Development at ABF Ingredients

In this video featuring Dr. Sybille Buchwald-Werner, Director of Business Development at ABF Ingredients and Co-chair of the WIN Mentorship Committee, delves into the concept of "Accelerate Action" and its role in advancing gender parity.

She highlights the urgency of uplifting women into senior leadership positions and shares her insights on what true leadership means in today's dynamic business environment. Join us as we explore her expert perspective on fostering an inclusive culture where decisive action and strategic mentorship pave the way for lasting change.

Championing Women in Nutraceuticals: Insights from Gillian Fish

Gillian Fish, Founder & CEO of The 6AM Agency and WIN Global Liaison, shares her thoughts on what International Women’s Day means to her, the importance of lifting up future generations, and the steps we can take—individually and collectively—to accelerate gender equality. Her words serve as both inspiration and a call to action, reminding us that true progress happens when we come together with intention, allyship, and a commitment to creating lasting change.

Q: What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

International Women’s Day is both a celebration and a call to action. For me, it is a reminder of the courageous women who have come before us - those who have paved the way for progress, invested in so many of us, given us opportunity, often in the face of incredible adversity. There is a duty to pay it forward by doing all we can to unlock potential in others to achieve gender and societal equality.

Women represent half of the global population and in a world facing immense challenges, empowering women is not just inspiring – it is essential for balanced decision-making and meaningful change that shape a better future for all across all life-stages and cultures.

Having grown up in South Africa during apartheid, I was deeply influenced by the resilience and grace of the women around me, both my biological mother and my nanny, who shaped my worldview with their quiet strength, love, and unwavering dedication to championing gender and societal equality.

Whether in a personal or professional capacity, we must commit to championing, uplifting, supporting, and creating pathways for the next generation of women to contribute meaningfully to business, to the economy and to society at large, to thrive.

Q: How do you think we can accelerate progress towards gender equality?

Progress toward gender equality requires both collective and individual action. It’s about making intentional choices every day. Whether that’s volunteering for one of several Women In Nutraceuticals programs – mentorship, science or entrepreneurship, or as business owners ensuring women have a seat at the decision-making table, or challenging unconscious bias in our workplaces and in our communities.

I believe deeply in the power of education, advocacy, and allyship. Women must champion each other actively, and men must join us on this journey, advocating for equitable policies and cultural shifts that create real, lasting change.

As the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, US Supreme Court Justice and equality advocate famously said, “Women will only have true equality when men share with them the responsibility of bringing up the next generation.”

The nutraceuticals industry, built on the foundation of wellbeing, has a unique and key role to play in leading this charge, because true health isn’t just physical or mental, it is societal. It’s often said that change happens 1% at a time. If each of us commits to that 1% - to lifting up just one more woman, amplifying women’s voices, funding female entrepreneurs, volunteering for the likes of Women In Nutraceuticals, or ensuring inclusive leadership to opening one more door of opportunity, the compounded outcome is a ripple effect that drives progress for women for generations to come.

Today, on International Women’s Day and every day, let us salute the women who have trodden the path before us as well as those who lead fearlessly, inspiring and motivating us to fly high, and drive societal change.

Breaking Barriers: Supporting Women’s Leadership in Nutraceuticals with Crystal Webber

Crystal Webber MS, RD Founder & Chief Innovation Officer at Fig Formulations

The journey to leadership in the nutraceutical industry can be challenging, especially for women who often find their strengths—such as empathy, authenticity, and perseverance—undervalued in corporate spaces. As a result, many women face isolation, pressure to conform, or even the temptation to abandon their leadership ambitions altogether.

Recognizing these challenges, WIN has built a strong network of support, providing mentorship, education, job opportunities, and community spaces where women can thrive. We asked Crystal Webber MS, RD Founder & Chief Innovation Officer at Fig Formulations and WIN Board Member, how can we empower more women to take leadership roles in the nutraceutical space?

Pursuing high levels of career advancement can be a long and lonely journey. Many valuable leadership traits that get codified as feminine, such as compassion, empathy, humility, authenticity and perseverance, can be undervalued in corporate settings and result in women being passed over for corporate leadership opportunities. As a result, It’s easy for women to feel isolated, pressured to change, or even inclined to give up on their dreams altogether. The incredible people involved with Women In Nutraceuticals recognize this, and have worked tirelessly to offer the numerous gender equity avenues for support that are available to WIN members today! By proving education, mentorship, job boards, and networking spaces for women to share both fun and vulnerability, we help women confidently pursue career advancement and positions in leadership just as they are- not in spite of these traits, but BECAUSE of them.

Dr. Julia Wiebe on Advancing Women in the Workplace: A Business Imperative for Growth and Equity

Julia Wiebe, PhD—Managing Director of red otc development GmbH (a Finzelberg company)

In the recording below, Julia Wiebe, PhD—Managing Director of red otc development GmbH (a Finzelberg company), WIN Board Member and Co-chair of the WIN Science Committe—discusses the importance of empowering women in their career paths. She explains that uplifting women's professional journeys is not only the right thing to do, but also a strategy that drives business profitability.

Breaking Barriers: The Power of Mentorship in Accelerating Women's Leadership with Rajat Mittal Shah

Rajat Mittal Shah—Cofounder & Executive Director of Nutriventia

In this engaging dialogue, Rajat Mittal Shah—Cofounder & Executive Director of Nutriventia, WIN Global Liaison, and a member of the Engagement Committee—guides a conversation on the evolving role of women in the nutraceutical industry. The discussion underscores the significance of International Women’s Day as both a celebration of past achievements and a call to further uplift women within the sector. By emphasizing the transformative power of mentorship and the importance of inclusive leadership, the insights shared illustrate that progress in this industry benefits not only individual careers but also drives broader industry growth.

Q. What does International Women’s Day mean to you as a woman in the nutraceutical industry?

"IWD is a reminder that while women have made strides, the journey is far from over. It’s about celebrating perseverance and ensuring that, as leaders, we actively uplift others. True progress isn’t just personal success—it’s making sure more women rise alongside us and get there faster."

Q. How can we empower more women to take leadership roles in the nutraceutical space?

"Mentorship is our most powerful tool—it costs us little but can transform careers. It’s also a two-way street, bringing growth and learning for both mentor and mentee. Sharing our struggles is just as vital as sharing our successes; by doing so, we create paths that others can follow without having to start from scratch."

Q. What progress have you seen for women in this industry, and what change would you still like to see?

"The nutraceutical industry, being young, has an opportunity to foster inclusivity. WIN and similar efforts in India are accelerating change, but true progress lies in recognizing diverse leadership strengths. More men need to join this movement—gender diversity isn’t just about fairness; it’s about driving industry growth."

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s commit to transforming inspiration into action—championing mentorship, advocating for equity, and creating lasting opportunities for women in nutraceuticals and beyond. The future of our industry is brighter when we uplift each other, ensuring that leadership and innovation are truly inclusive.