RACHAEL TOMASELLO

Global Director of Strategic Capabilities, Business Colleges

Tell us about your background and how you got into the packaging industry. I began my career managing the global supply chain at Da-Lite Screen Company, and then joined Mars in 2011, moving from procuring indirect services, to raw material procurement, to our global capital buying team sourcing the equipment to make M&Ms and Skittles, as well as our gum packaging equipment. Most recently, I moved to the role of global director for strategic capabilities leading our learning and development agenda for supply, procurement, R&D, sales and marketing.

What is the most rewarding part of your job today?

Today I get to live out my purpose of inspiring people and teaching them to trust themselves on a daily basis. I lean on my years of functional expertise to bring capability strategies to life serving both our associates through world class development and learning experiences, and Mars by enabling our future strategies. The most rewarding moments in my job are those where I see the impact of a development program on an associate, witnessing the shift in their presence, their con dence and their ability, in real time.

What are some of the challenges that you have faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry?

Being a minority in any situation comes, by de nition, with the bene t of holding an uncommon perspective. The challenge is gaining the respect and visibility to share that perspective productively. For the rst half of my career, I often found myself the only female and the youngest person in the room. While this environment provided a wealth of learning from seasoned leaders, it made it dif cult to be con dent in my ideas and ask for constructive feedback. It was much later in my career when positioned in a role working directly with senior leaders that I felt con dent enough to take the reins, resulting in a seat at the proverbial table and a voice in the conversation. I think the biggest challenge along the way was learning to channel frustration into a clear, rm opinion and recommendation.

What are the unique opportunities for women in this industry?

I encourage women entering the industry to ask questions, to learn from the seasoned professionals and to be bold in their career objectives. Assume the opportunity will be afforded to you, ask for the development opportunities you feel you need and say “yes” to the things that scare you. If you’re unclear on the development opportunities you need, ask for a mentor and utilize that relationship to leap-frog your learnings.

What advice would you give to young women who are considering a career in packaging? Be bold and trust yourself. Leverage the years of experience and knowledge around you by listening, asking questions and seeking feedback. Be a willing participant in your career. Things happen, they don’t happen to you. Be aware of shifts in your environment and think ahead as to how you can bring value in the new paradigm. Keep going, even when you’re unsure, and the answer will present itself. Surround yourself with a team of people who are invested in your success and pay it forward to those who are coming behind you.

MARS, INC.

Location: McLean, Va.

Company Revenue: $45 billion net sales

Employees: 140,000-plus

Industry: Petcare nutrition, health and services; confectionery treats and snacks; food and nutrition solutions

T. MARZETTI COMPANY

Location: Westerville, Ohio

Company Revenue:

$1.7 billion

Employees: 3,000+

Industry: Specialty food products for the retail and foodservice markets

LISA

RATHBURN Vice President of Engineering

Tell us about your background and how you got into the packaging industry. I am a chemical engineer by degree, but ever since my rst job over 20 years ago, I have been working in the manufacturing industry that packaged specialty products. I held nine different roles that included plant engineering, quality engineering, project management, operational excellence, and technical leadership. In each one of these various positions, it was critical to deliver high quality product. The packaging and packaging equipment were mission critical in making that happen.

What are some of the challenges that you have faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry?

When I was just starting out, it honestly felt a bit lonely. I didn’t have much in common with my male peers or managers. Over time, though, I was able to build a network of male and female counterparts, and the entire packaging industry started to feel smaller and familiar. I have encountered some awkward moments, though. Some people I met for the rst time have shown a bias or made incorrect assumptions about me and my role in the organization. At networking events, people assumed it was my husband who was in the industry, and that I was his spouse/guest vs. the other way around. In sales calls, vendors have not realized that I was the decision maker in the meeting until one of my employees deferred to me for direction.

My advice is for companies in the packaging industry to educate their employees about unconscious bias, so that their employees become more aware, and avoid similar assumptions or mistakes.

What can the industry do better to support women and increase the number of women in leadership positions?

There was a period of time in my career where I was doing international travel often, and was away from home 50-60% of the month. This was when my three children were young, all under the age of 6. It was the most dif cult time of my career so far, but it was also the most fruitful.

I think the industry needs to not make any presumptions about what a woman can or cannot do based on age, family situation, or otherwise. Provide the opportunities and allow them to rise to the occasion.

What advice would you give to young women who are considering a career in packaging? Show up. Be ambitious. Take chances. It’s an exciting time to be in the packaging industry because of the need for continuing innovation. We need diverse minds to innovate, collaborate and develop solutions for products that are needed for generations to come.