A Spotlight on Excellence: At The Intersection of Creativity Science And Identity

A Spotlight on Excellence: At the Intersection of Creativity Science and Identity

As people across North America celebrate Black History Month and honor the accomplishments of Black or African Americans we are looking forward to continuing the conversation around Black Excellence beyond February and throughout our global reach.

Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day are both celebrated in March and to continue to recognize the immeasurable contributions of Black leaders we are taking this opportunity to highlight the achievements of Black women who are at the intersection of these identities – and where better to start then right in our own backyard with IFFers from around the world?

Successful Black women are often asked about the struggles they face as part of their professional journeys but today we’re providing a few of our IFF Illuminating Challengers a chance to share their inspirations and the aspirations that keep them going.  Here are some of our favorite responses!

Lucia Domingos Regional Legal Counsel Latin America:

“What inspires me is that diversity is in the DNA of our industry. When I look at our portfolio I feel proud of being part of an industry that has such an impact in people´s life. This notion gives me certainty that it is a matter of time until we increase Black representation and I want to be part of this process.”

Lucia holds a master’s degree from the University of Hamburg in Germany where she worked for 3 years as a Legal Counsel at a law firm. She has been the in-house counsel of large multinational companies for the last 15 years and joined IFF in 2018.

Naphtali van Langeveld HR Business Partner The Netherlands:

“As an HR professional I believe that companies and organizations can only thrive with highly driven and inspired people. But what sparks people’s passion and interest?

My curiosity in this area is mountain-high and dare I say endless. A quote by Maya Angelou comes to mind: “I come as one but I stand as ten thousand.” I feel the privilege and responsibility to explore the world to my fullest knowing that my grandmothers and great-grandmothers didn’t have the same opportunities.

I hope the life experiences and stories I gather will inspire my little nieces to look beyond what they can perceive in the present moment – and by doing so I

believe they will have an easier time of finding their place in the world.”
Naphtali has been an HR professional for the past 8 years and joined IFF as an HR Business Partner in January of 2020. As a seasoned coach and mentor she is deeply passionate about supporting young professionals to be the best they can be.

Lauren Martey Senior Research Chef North America:

“I have been an anomaly throughout my profession… More often than not I have been “the only” or “one of a few.” Along my journey I have learned to acknowledge and understand my discomfort and sometimes recognize that it was others who were uncomfortable with me and underestimated my potential.

But whenever things are getting tough I think of my (Ghanaian) parents and how they migrated to a new country that they had never visited before. Together they managed to create a home in the U.S. make good friends raise college educated children all without extended family support systems. I know how tough it was for them and know that it is because of them that I had a better start and future.

Don’t worry when people tell you that you “can’t.” Listen to what they are really saying and decide if it has merit. If it doesn’t listen to your own voice or seek out people who believe in you. Use every situation as motivation to rise to the occasion. And every so often take a risk. It is okay to be fearful to do something new – just don’t let it be the only reason you miss a perfectly good opportunity.”

Lauren studied at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park New York. Over the course of her career she has worked as a line chef and managed restaurants. She is a Senior Research Chef at IFF.

Choose to Challenge

For International Women’s Day and throughout March we will join in the call to action to further the journey to gender equality embodied in the theme of IWD’21: “Choose to Challenge.”

We welcome you to join our conversation on social media tag us at IFF along with the #ChooseToChallenge hashtag.

Join us! Explore a career at IFF where you can bring your whole self to work every day.