CHICAGO, Feb. 11,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- International Day of Women and
Girls in Science, celebrated annually on February 11, highlights the vital contributions
of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM) while promoting inclusion in these historically
male-dominated fields. Recognized by the United Nations, the day
inspires future innovators and underscores the importance of
diverse voices in solving global challenges.
At Kellanova, we value the contributions of our thousands of
talented people and are proud to have many excelling in STEM
fields. Today, we're highlighting four remarkable women from across
our regions who exemplify innovation, creativity, and leadership in
recognition of the 10th anniversary of this United
Nations Day.
Region: Latin America / Mexico
Claudia Arboleda Tamayo, Senior Director,
Manufacturing
Q. Tell us about your role at Kellanova:
- I lead a high-performing team, driving operational strategy,
risk management, and budget efficiency. I also standardize work
systems across our Mexico plants
to enhance operational excellence while fostering team growth.
Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM?
- I have a minor in International Business, not a STEM field, but
25 years ago I realized problem-solving was my strength, and it
ultimately led me to a career in Supply Chain. There's immense
satisfaction in overcoming countless challenges—like COVID—and
seeing a product on the shelf, knowing I made that possible.
Q. Was there a specific moment or person that influenced your
decision to enter this field?
- Two key factors shaped my decision to pursue Supply Chain,
which became clear a few years into my career. I'm from
Colombia, where my father ran a
transportation business. At the time, logistics infrastructure was
underdeveloped, with only 30% of roads paved, limited security, and
manual processes at ports. As Colombia opened to global markets, I began to
wonder, "What if we could help make a difference?"
Q. What advice do you wish someone would have given you when
you were starting out, if any?
- I wish someone had told me how crucial networking is, on par
with technical skills, for both personal and professional growth.
Perhaps the most valuable advice would have been to prioritize
work-life balance. Be responsible, brave, and proactive in your
life just as you are in your career.
Q. What advice would you give to young people interested in
STEM?
- You can choose to go into STEM at any point in your life, just
dream big and go for it!
Region: Europe
Loretta Franks, VP
Global Chief Data & Analytics Officer (CDAO)
Q. Tell us about your role at Kellanova:
- I lead a talented data & analytics team specializing in
data science, engineering, technology, and governance, helping
Kellanova leverage AI and Machine Learning responsibly for added
value. As Global IT's Executive STEM inclusion sponsor, I champion
initiatives worldwide to amplify awareness and drive greater
inclusion.
Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM?
- I've always loved STEM. In school, I studied Math, Physics, and
Economics in the UK before earning a degree in Math and Economics.
Numbers, facts, analytics, and logic have always been my preference
over art or literature. My career began in Finance in Europe, and through diverse roles and
experiences, I now lead a global role delivering data and analytics
capabilities for our organization.
Q. Was there a specific moment or person that influenced your
decision to enter this field?
- Data has become a critical asset across industries, sparking my
deep interest in its role in driving business growth and
operations. Throughout my time at Kellanova (previously Kellogg
Company), I've built a broad network and gained insights across
various functions, thanks to the guidance of many teams and
friends. The moments that stand out most are when I said "yes" to
new opportunities and embraced the unknown—those experiences have
been the most exciting and transformative.
Q. What advice do you wish someone would have given you when
you were starting out, if any?
- Back yourself. Take some risks - see the adventure versus the
challenge. Things will go wrong, but it's how you deal with the
situation that is important. Keep going!
Q. What advice would you give to young people interested in
STEM?
- Don't overthink it, stick with your gut, follow your skills and
passion and you will thrive. Find someone who has been there before
and paved their way and learn from them.
Region: Middle East,
North Africa, Turkey, and South
Asia
Sara
Khafagy, Research & Development (R&D)
Director
Q. Tell us about your role at Kellanova:
- I lead our regional R&D team, co-creating and driving the
business strategy for technology and innovation, and building and
developing a high performing team.
Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM?
- I enjoy being intellectually stimulated and challenged. A
career in STEM can be highly rewarding as it involves
problem-solving, critical thinking, and continuous learning.
Q. Was there a specific moment or person that influenced your
decision to enter this field?
- In high school, my Chemistry teacher inspired me by
demonstrating how chemistry brings real-world applications to life,
leading me to major in it. I'm passionate about using science to
make a difference, especially in food science, materials science,
and sustainability. The chemistry of cooking—transforming
ingredients and enhancing flavor, texture, and nutrition—continues
to intrigue me.
Q. What advice do you wish someone had given you when you
were starting out in your career?
- I've always held myself to high standards and attention to
detail, but early on I sought perfection too often. I wish I'd
known that while perfection helps set quality benchmarks and build
resilience, it can also stifle creativity and create a fear of
failure — both essential for innovation in STEM.
Q. What advice would you give to young people interested in
STEM?
- STEM fields need diverse perspectives, and your unique
viewpoint is valuable. Stay curious and humble to learn more about
the world surrounding you. Seek mentorship and feedback along your
journey. Learn from the experiences and be open to constructive
feedback for continuous development.
Region: North America/ U.S.
Roxanne Myles, Director, Global Premiums
and Licensing
Q. Tell us about your role at Kellanova:
- I lead policies and programs ensuring the quality and safety of
promotional premiums and licensed products, managing a team that
supports marketing initiatives and licensing opportunities.
Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM?
- I have always enjoyed math and science and playing with things.
As a child, I wanted to deliver babies, and as I got older, I
really became interested in learning more about how and where
things are made.
Q. Was there a specific moment or person that influenced your
decision to enter this field?
- I was influenced by my high school chemistry teacher to seek a
career in chemistry, which I started when I went to college. There,
I was introduced to Food Science and Food Technology. Since I love
food and learning about where our food comes from and how it is
made, I chose to go in this direction.
Q. What advice do you wish someone would have given you when
you were starting out, if any?
- There are so many careers in STEM. Explore STEM careers that
interest you and what you have a passion for. There is so much you
can do to build your skills, enhance your knowledge and create
something that the world has never seen before.
Q. What advice would you give to young people interested in
STEM?
- Try it, if you don't like it, try something else. Keep
exploring what life in STEM has to offer.
About Kellanova
Kellanova (NYSE: K) is a leader in
global snacking, international cereal and noodles, and North America frozen foods with a legacy
stretching back more than 100 years. Powered by differentiated
brands including Pringles®,
Cheez-It®, Pop-Tarts®,
Kellogg's ® Rice Krispies
Treats®, RXBAR®,
Eggo®, MorningStar Farms®,
Special K®, Coco
Pops®, and more, Kellanova's vision is to
become the world's best-performing snacks-led powerhouse,
unleashing the full potential of our differentiated brands and our
passionate people. Our net sales for 2024 were approximately
$13 billion.
At Kellanova, our purpose is to create better days and ensure
everyone has a seat at the table through our trusted food brands.
We are committed to promoting sustainable and equitable food access
by tackling the crossroads of hunger, sustainability, wellbeing,
and equity, diversity & inclusion. Our goal is to create Better
Days for 4 billion people by the end of 2030 (from a 2015
baseline). For more detailed information about our commitments, our
approach to achieving these goals, and methodology, please visit
our website at https://www.kellanova.com.
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