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Advancing Women in Supply Chain Webinar
July 7, 2023
“The Role Women Can Play in the Cocoa Supply Chain”
The modern supply chain is complex and ever evolving. Child labor, gender inequality and environmental protection are major issues that have been present for years. But they are now gaining increased global attention.
Citizens are pressing their governments to implement regulations in their supply chains. And companies are revising their purchasing requirements.
Starbucks is a prime example of companies getting intimately involved in the supply chain to ensure ingredients are ethically sourced. On July 7, Starbucks’ vice president for global food product research and development, Ruby Amegah, will present a webinar on the “Role Women Can Play in Cocoa Supply Chain.”
Child labor continues to be a challenge in West African cocoa production, where children are involved in age-inappropriate and hazardous labor. Amegah will talk about how women are uniquely qualified to lead in areas concerning child labor and women inequalities, due to their understanding of these specific topics.
They understand the importance of advocating for the rights and needs of vulnerable populations, as well as providing education about how best to prevent exploitation. Women also bring problem-solving skills, decision-making ability, communication savvy and collaborative strengths. These are all needed to tackle difficult challenges within the realm of supply chain management.
About the speaker:
Ruby Amegah leads food product development and innovation at Starbucks, based in Seattle, Washington. In her 16 years at Starbucks, her R&D leadership has spanned across the Global Consumer Products Goods division — from its partnership with Pepsi, Suntory, Nestlé, Arla Foods and Dong Suh Foods to establishing the ready-to-drink coffee business in China with Master Kong.
She also led the R&D team on product development across Starbucks At-Home Coffee and Evolution Fresh Juices.
Prior to joining Starbucks, she held research and product development roles at global food and beverage companies including Nestlé, Pillsbury and ConAgra foods.
Amegah holds a bachelor’s degree in food science and biochemistry from the University of Ghana and master’s and PhD degrees in food science from Rutgers University in New Jersey.