Visibility matters: Sally Molyneux inspires at Meat Business Women Community Connect

“You can't look up to role models you can't see, so celebrate every success without reservation, and lift every voice.”

This core theme resonated deeply at the Community Connect event held by the Meat Business Women network in July, where our very own Global Account Director, Sally Molyneux, joined the expert panel of speakers.

Meat Business Women is an organisation dedicated to connecting women working across the global meat supply chain, tackling the ongoing gender imbalance in the sector, supporting the development of women with an engaged mentorship programme, and creating visible role models that women in the industry can aspire to.

In her presentation to attendees, Sally shared a snapshot of her journey through the food packaging industry, and some of the key lessons she’s learned along the way. Since being the first in her family to attend university, she has carved out a successful career leading a team at kp with strategic vision and a commitment to excellence.

In sharing the details of her own industry path, Sally hoped to inspire attendees with a message of perseverance and celebrating every success.

Sally’s own PDRs are comprehensive, documenting every success for both her and her team. This practice ensures that when the time comes to review performance, all the accomplishments and contributions are clearly highlighted, making a PDR a time for everyone to shine brightly, rather than a stressful review.

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There’s no shame in confidence. Be the one to say: ‘I am brilliant’.”

Sally Molyneux

Global Account Director, Food Packaging Division

Sally’s presence on the panel also shone a light on the broader issue of gender imbalance in the industry. The meat and food packaging sectors have traditionally been male dominated, but change is on the horizon.

At the event, Laura Ryan of Meat Business Women said:
“You cannot be what you cannot see.”

A study released by Meat Business Women shows that within the last three years, the number of women in board-level director positions in the meat industry has increased to 23%, up from 14%, while those in chief executive roles have risen by 3%.

However, the overall number of women in the global workforce has dropped, as has the percentage of women in entry level roles. And, despite improvements, just 8% of CEO roles are held by women.

There is clearly more progress to be made, and the visibility of female leaders like Sally, discussing their journeys openly and frankly, is crucial in addressing this imbalance.

Events like Community Connect are invaluable in breaking down barriers and starting important conversations on how the meat and food packaging industries, of which kp is a part, are creating role models in female leadership and celebrating their achievements. As Sally challenged attendees to embrace their own successes, even when it’s not comfortable to do so, the message to the wider industry is one of change.

Joining the discussion, speakers at the event pointed out that it’s not enough for businesses, whether in the meat or food packaging industries, to celebrate their female employees on sporadic occasions, such as International Women’s Day, if that same approach is not there year-round.

And, if female role models aren’t easily found at all levels of business, then the packaging industry has a responsibility to highlight them and make them visible.

At kp, we’re firm believers in always doing the right thing and operating with integrity, whether that’s in the products we design and supply, or the ways we support and uplift our team. We’re incredibly proud of Sally’s contribution, her strategic thinking, and her pursuit of professional excellence. Her career journey and continued success remind us all that we can't look up to role models we don't have, and it is through shared stories and visible achievements that we can inspire the next generation of female leaders.