In the challenging, fast-paced world of food and agribusiness—an industry often perceived as male-dominated—the journey of food from mill to meal is driven by strategy, resilience, passion, and a deep sense of purpose.

This International Women’s Day, Aboítiz Foods launches “HERstory: The Women Who Make Things Happen,” a campaign celebrating the women who are redefining leadership, innovation, and collaboration across the food value chain.

Aligned with the global theme “Give to Gain,” the campaign highlights how empowering women in science and technology, food, and agribusiness industries creates a ripple effect of impact, rooted in care, precision, and excellence.

Strategic leadership in agribusiness

As the First Vice President & Country Director for Agribusiness-Philippines, Norie Bermudez leads the mill-to-meal journey, managing an age-diverse team of seasoned feed sales veterans and the younger generation.

With nearly three decades of experience at Pilmico Foods Corporation – from frontline sales to the boardroom – Bermudez provides the strategic compass for the company’s Philippine agribusiness operations, bridging high-level strategy with grassroots insight.

Championing authentic, relatable, and adaptable leadership, Bermudez proves that navigating a complex industry requires a blend of measured intuition and rigorous business acumen. By fostering a culture where diverse perspectives contribute to growth, she ensures that corporate growth translates into shared value for local farmers. This approach creates an inclusive ecosystem in which giving to the community benefits the entire industry.

“In business, there are only two options: to grow or to die. I choose to grow—not by being the toughest person in the room, but by being the most relatable and the most willing to evolve,” said Bermudez, adding, “I commit to empowering more women in agriculture, to creating meaningful impact, and to feeding communities from mill to meal.”

Safeguarding food from the lab to the table

Behind every successful food value chain lies a strong scientific foundation. Across Aboítiz Foods, women who excel in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) roles continue to break stereotypes while also strengthening the technical backbone of the organization.

The food value chain begins with scientific integrity – a core value championed by Sahera Nofyangtri, PT Gold Coin Indonesia’s Assistant Vice President for Nutrition & Research, and Dr. Emiechelle Rivera, Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corporation’s Veterinary Services & Training Specialist.

For Nofyangtri, the feedmill operates much like an open kitchen, where each ingredient and formula must be meticulously verified before reaching farms. With a role that involves a high-stakes balance of chemistry and nutrition, Nofyangtri views food integrity as a rigorous process that ensures animal feed is not just productive but fundamentally safe for the entire food chain.

“For me, innovation is not about ‘noble’ scientific theories, but about speed, boldness, and thoroughness in identifying gaps before applying the theory,” remarked Nofyangtri, highlighting, “In this industry, a woman’s skill in multitasking, attention to detail, and strong intuition allows for a broader perspective. Empowering women in agriculture means empowering the future of food.”

The scientific work done at the lab is further strengthened on the ground through Dr. Rivera’s role in veterinary services. Her role focuses on preventing biological risks before they reach the farm by designing disease prevention strategies and programs that strengthen animal health.

Dr. Rivera’s advice to young women who want to pursue a career in veterinary medicine or STEM is simple yet powerful:

“Don’t be afraid to step into spaces that challenge you. In field veterinary work, you aren’t just solving animal health concerns; you are sustaining livelihoods and protecting the food supply for entire communities.”

Empowering agri-preneurs across markets

A good product only makes an impact when it supports a customer’s need at the right time – that’s where the roles of Phuong Nguyen Thi Truc and Floreda Molina come in.

As a Product Marketing Manager for Aqua, Phuong plays a key role in translating technical innovation to practical value for customers. For Phuong, success in her role lies in the ability to bridge cultural and language barriers, convert technical data into compelling market stories, and listen actively to customer feedback.

“As a market navigator, my role is to translate complex science and connect it to the customer’s reality. We need to give them a reason to believe in our product,” said Phuong, emphasizing, “I believe innovation only matters if it’s understood and accessible to the customers.”

Meanwhile, Molina, Assistant Vice President for Gamefowl Feeds, leads a team of sales managers in a highly competitive, traditionally male-dominated segment. In the gamefowl industry, technical credibility and stakeholder trust are the name of the game.

Beyond driving commercial success, Molina works to challenge misconceptions about the gamefowl sector and strengthen relationships with stakeholders across the industry. She also supports community outreach programs, putting Aboítiz Foods’ core value of responsibility into action.

“As a woman, my high level of self-awareness, empathetic communication, and adaptability help me work effectively with diverse groups,” said Molina, adding, “While this is a male-dominated industry, many women have excelled here. Own your expertise, take calculated risks, and architect your path.”

Together, the work of Phuong and Molina ensures that innovation is not just a concept, but a tool for customer empowerment and success. This resonates with backyard duck farmer and agripreneur Marilou Capiendo, an Aboítiz Foods partner for 15 years in San Jose, Tarlac.

Capiendo represents the empowered partner who turns research and sales support into a thriving livelihood. With the help of Pilmico, she and her husband are able to raise their ducks well and sell high-quality eggs that not only sustain their family but also support small resellers in their community.

Her story brings the “Give to Gain” philosophy full circle: when women are equipped with the right knowledge, support, and opportunities—they help nourish communities and create pathways for others, especially women, to succeed.

Capiendo said, “Para sa akin, ang tagumpay ay iyong nakakatulong ka rin sa mga kagaya mong nagne-negosyo o gustong magnegosyo. Nakakatulong ako sa mga kapwa kong kababaihan na bigyan sila ng paninda. Nakikita nila na kung nakaya naming mag-negosyo, kaya rin nila.”

[English translation: “For me, true success is being able to help others who have a business or are aspiring to start one. I am able to empower my fellow women by providing them with products to sell. When they see what we’ve achieved, they realize that if we can do it, they can, too.”]

Through the ‘HERstory’ campaign, Aboítiz Foods recognizes the many ways women contribute to the progress of the food and agribusiness industry.

From laboratories and farms to boardrooms and markets, these women represent the dedication, expertise, and leadership that sustain the food value chain. Their journeys reflect the company’s purpose of sustainably feeding Asia’s growth from mill to meal. Their stories demonstrate that expertise goes beyond technical mastery; it is about the courage and resilience to lead in a challenging industry and the heart to nourish a more food-secure and sustainable future.