Fractional leadership is often misunderstood — and it’s quickly becoming one of the most powerful models shaping the future of work in food, beverage, and CPG.

In this episode of Women Who Make It, Angela sits down with Lynn Ducharme, a seasoned recruiter and industry insider, to unpack why senior women aren’t opting out of the workforce — they’re opting out of broken systems. Together, they explore what’s driving the rise of fractional executives, what companies are actually hiring for, and where both sides get it wrong.

Lynn shares candid insights on why execution matters more than titles, why trust isn’t transferable, and why fractional leadership is anything but the “easy” path. They also discuss how looming retirements, talent shortages, and razor-thin margins are accelerating demand for fractional expertise across operations, R&D, and commercial leadership.

If you’re considering fractional work — or thinking about hiring fractional talent — this episode offers a clear, honest look at what it really takes to make it work.

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In this episode of Women Who Make It, Angela sits down with Taylor Clarke, co-founder of Amborella Organics. Taylor shares how a simple idea inspired by gardening memories evolved into a seed-bearing lollipop brand rooted in sustainability, intention, and connection. In this episode, Taylor opens up about building a mission-driven food brand without a traditional business background, navigating the realities of scaling and retail partnerships, and making hard sustainability trade-offs along the way. She also reflects on how motherhood reshaped her leadership, why a successful business should be able to thrive without its founder, and how Amborella Organics continues to grow through purpose, creativity, and community.

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In this episode of Women Who Make It, Angela shares the pivotal moment that revealed she had removed herself from her own story—and the mindset shift that changed everything about how she leads, communicates, and builds Females in Food. She breaks down the three-part blueprint that helped her step into her voice: changing your language, building rooms that can hold your ambition, and taking action before you feel ready. If you've ever felt unseen despite doing the work, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to own your value and intentionally shape your narrative. Plus, Angela shares five “rooms” you can start building today and details on a special book giveaway for listeners.

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In this episode of Women Who Make It, Angela sits down with Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway, who became the youngest female CEO of a publicly traded company at just 27. Julie shares how she navigated grief while leading Lifeway Foods, transforming it into a global wellness brand rooted in authenticity and community.

She discusses embracing imperfection, trusting her instincts, and redefining leadership, as well as her advocacy work, documentary filmmaking, and co-founding Bird Beauty with her teenage daughters. This conversation is a candid and inspiring look at resilience, reinvention, and using business to drive meaningful change.

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In this episode of Women Who Make It, Angela sits down with Danyel O’Connor, CEO of Umami, to explore what it truly means to lead with clarity, courage, and curiosity in today’s fast-changing food and beverage industry.

With over two decades of experience across CPG, investment, and innovation, Danyel shares how she’s built a career that bridges the gap between data-driven strategy and human-centered leadership. From navigating tough decisions and managing uncertainty to earning trust as a new leader, she offers actionable insights for women looking to accelerate their careers and lead with confidence.

Danyel also gives an inside look at Umami, an AI-enabled SaaS platform transforming how food and beverage brands innovate. Learn how technology is helping companies turn consumer feedback into smarter product development—and why embracing discomfort might just be the key to your next big career move.

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In this episode of Women Who Make It, Angela discusses the inaugural State of Women in the Food and Beverage Industry Report, highlighting key insights from a survey of about 250 women. The conversation uncovers the most pressing challenges women face across the industry—from leadership development gaps and work-life imbalance to company culture issues, gender bias, and harassment.

Angela is joined by Dorsey Standish, neuroscientist and mindfulness expert, to explore the physiological effects of burnout and share practical strategies for building resilience and fostering human connection. Together, they emphasize the urgent need for actionable change, allyship, and reimagined workplace support systems that honor women’s humanity and potential in an increasingly complex world.

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Angela sits down with Jenna Sullivan, VP of Sales at So Good So You, a fast-growing functional beverage company. Jenna shares her journey from corporate sales to the startup world, offering candid insights into accountability, decision-making, and leading with authenticity.

She opens up about the challenges and rewards of balancing motherhood with a high-growth career, the pivotal choices that fueled the company’s success, and the importance of building trust and strong support systems. Jenna also reflects on how COVID-19 reshaped the business, the opportunities ahead for the functional beverage industry, and the power of women supporting women in leadership.

This conversation is packed with valuable lessons on resilience, leadership, and carving your own path in a rapidly evolving industry.

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Angela sits down with Amy Abouelenein, retired global innovation executive from General Mills, to reflect on her 36-year career shaping brands like Betty Crocker and Cheerios. Amy opens up about balancing motherhood with leadership, navigating company politics, and overcoming imposter syndrome while building high-performing teams. She also shares advice for women in the “messy middle” of their careers—reminding us that with support, boundaries, and confidence, it’s possible to grow both a career and a life that matters.

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