Events

Minneapolis Mix & Mingle Networking Event

Join our signature Females in Food Minneapolis Meet Up to network with other women in F&B while enjoying some light snacks, wine and fun demonstrations. 

We will begin the evening with snacks (aka - amazing charcuterie), wine, and networking including a short demonstration from Nicole Loren on how to design the perfect charcuterie board for your next event. 

We will then be joined by our special guest Erin Tietz (@FasciaFixMN) for a 10 minute neck/shoulder fascia stretch demonstration. 

-- Erin will guide us through movements you can incorporate into your day while sitting at your desk to alleviate pain and tension in your shoulders and neck. 

If you have been to an FIF event -- then you know the magic that is in store. 

If this is your first -- you are in for a treat! 

This event is open to all women in the F&B industry — invite your work bestie and get ready for a great time. 

Ticket: $35 — includes wine, beverages, charcuterie, & unforgettable networking

Curious to learn more about Females in Food?  

our ambitious group of women across every segment of F&B.

Minneapolis Meet Up + Fascia Fix

Calling all Females in Food - we can't wait to meet up with you in Philadelphia. 

Join fellow FIF members and industry friends for a cocktail after Day 1 of Natural Products Expo East. (Your do not need to attend conference to join this event). Come enjoy some networking, snacks, and beverages. 

*Your ticket provides you with a drink ticket and snacks. This event is open our FIF community and guests of our members. Registration is required. 

Philadelphia Meet Up - Expo East

Join us in Chicago on March 31st for an unforgettable evening. 

We will kick off the evening with an interactive conversation led by, Emily LeVasseur - Managing Director at Waypost Advisors, about the current supply chain dynamics and tips on how to navigate successfully moving forward. 

You will then have the opportunity to network with women across the F&B industry to establish meaningful relationships and gain career or business support. 

Your ticket provides you with event entrance, light snacks, and a beverage (wine, beer, soda, or water)

Ticket Price for FIF Community Members: $15 — Use code in members' lounge for 50% discount. 

Chicago Mix & Mingle 

Spring is here, and we can't wait to see you all in person for another incredible FIF Minneapolis Event. 

Join us for an evening of meaningful networking, product samplings by local founders, drinks, and lively discussion. 

We will kick off the evening with a founder discussion between Jeni Ellick, Founder and Principal at Artisan Row, and Jessica Waller, Co-Founder and President at Humble Nut Butter. They will be speaking about a female founders growth journey and the challenges in scaling, building a scrappy team/network of resources, fundraising and being a female and mom in the industry.

After the discussion you will have the opportunity to try food and beverage products from various local founders while connecting with women from across every sector of the F&B industry. 

Whether you are seeking a night of fun, education, or resources — this event is for you! 

$25 - provides event entry, light refreshments, and beverages

 — $12.50 - provides event entry, light refreshments, and beverages. 

USE DISCOUNT CODE IN MEMBERS LOUNGE TO RECEIVE 50% OFF. 

Minneapolis Spring Event

Join us for our monthly women in dairy meet up to discuss the hot topics in the market. 

Monthly Dairy Meetup: Hot Topics in Dairy Markets 

open to all women regardless of membership

) started in 2017 in tandem with the ADPI/ABI Annual Conference and this has quickly become a successful networking event that many of you look forward to each year.

Due to the success of last year’s event at Wrigley Field (50 women!), we have decided to host our event here again in 2023 (April 23rd, the Chicago Cubs play the LA Dodgers @ 1:20pm).

Join us for an afternoon of drinks, food, and meaningful networking with other women in the dairy industry. 

This event is open to all — reserve your ticket below and share with your friends and colleagues. 

* Please note, we have to secure the tickets in advance. Therefore, tickets are transferrable (you can give to a friend) however we are not able to issue refunds if you are no longer able to make it. 

💥 Reach out to learn more about sponsorship opportunities by emailing Angela and Alyssa at 

Learn more about Females in Food and become a member by clicking 

Women in Dairy Meetup to Kick Off ADPI/ABI Annual Conference 

Step into the world of chocolate, tradition, and innovation with us as we gather around the virtual fireside for an enriching afternoon of insights and inspiration. Join us for an engaging fireside chat featuring Whitney Bembenick, the Chief Revenue Officer at Endangered Species Chocolate (ESC), a trailblazing brand that seamlessly weaves tradition and innovation together.

Founded in 1993, Endangered Species Chocolate embarked on a mission to create exquisite chocolate while championing global conservation efforts. With an unyielding commitment to "give forward," ESC has woven its legacy into every bar it crafts, every ingredient it sources, and every community it engages with. What sets ESC apart is its remarkable dedication to doing good, better. This commitment has remained the driving force behind their efforts for over three decades.

Whitney Bembenick, our esteemed speaker, brings her wealth of experience to the forefront, shedding light on how ESC has successfully preserved its cherished traditions while embracing innovation to stay relevant in the modern era. Learn how ESC has navigated the delicate balance between honoring its legacy and pioneering new paths to sustainability, all while crafting exceptional chocolate that resonates with a new generation.

Be part of this captivating fireside chat that celebrates the intersection of tradition and innovation. Join us as we explore how Endangered Species Chocolate continues to make a difference, one delectable bite at a time. Reserve your spot today and prepare to be inspired by the journey of a legacy brand navigating the modern landscape with purpose and passion.

Fireside Chat with Whitney Bembenick: Preserving tradition, embracing innovation: navigating a legacy brand into the modern era

Were you handed some great definitions of leadership - and some pretty disempowering ones as well? Or perhaps you received some messages about YOU as a leader that were helpful - and others that took away your authenticity and power.

For example, maybe you were told that you were a natural leader...but could also be bossy. Or received feedback to be more bold, confident, and develop your executive presence...while also being told you could be too direct, aggressive, or even angry - and that you should smile more. Perhaps you got the message that authentic leadership is the best approach...while also getting advice to conform to the traditional picture of what a leader "should" be.

It's time to change all that. It's time to let go of old stories, redefine leadership, reclaim your power, and unleash your authenticity.

In this interactive session, Heather will guide you to understand the leadership rules you were handed so you can keep the ones that work for you - and throw the rest out the window. You'll walk away knowing how to:

Heather Whelpley is a speaker, author of the award-winning book 

An Overachiever's Guide To Breaking The Rules

 and host of the podcast, Grounded Wildness. She has led events on imposter syndrome, creating your own rules for success, using your authentic voice to lead change with thousands of people at different companies and conferences across the globe, including a previous presentation for our FIF community! Prior to owning her business, Heather worked at Cargill and Ameriprise in a wide variety of leadership development, human resources, and change management roles in both plants and offices across the US, Latin America, and Australia. 

 has been recognized with multiple awards, including gold medals from the Next Generation Indie Books Awards and Living Now Book Awards and being named as a finalist for the Eric Hoffer First Horizon book award for first-time authors. Her second book, 

, will be published in Fall 2023. Heather lives in Colorado where she enjoys spending as much time hiking and exploring as possible. Learn more about Heather, hiring her as a speaker, and get her books at 

The Grounded and Wild Leader - Keynote by Heather Whelpley

Julia Jones, a dynamic speaker, draws from her life experiences to inspire confidence in confronting and embracing change, even when it's unexpected. In this high-energy session, she shares strategies for handling business and personal disruption caused by forced change, guiding you through three essential steps:

Embrace the change that has occurred and recognize what you cannot alter.

Confront your emotions honestly, whether they involve hurt, anger, or excitement.

Embrace the opportunity to adapt and make the change work to your advantage.

Julia's engaging presentation will leave you feeling inspired and entertained.  ​

​Julia is driven by an excitement for the future and a keen awareness of the inevitability of change. She specializes in translating global trends into actionable insights for the Food and Fibres sector, aiding business leaders in making informed decisions.

Her expertise lies in agriculture, where she analyzes the influence of diverse stakeholders on food production, from consumer markets to investment sectors. With a background in team leadership, financial market analysis, and risk management, Julia helps businesses develop long-term strategies and stakeholder connections for sustained relevance.

Although she is fortunate to have experienced a number of highlights which include: 

• Current Chair of "Meat the Need," a food security charity

• Keynote speaker at events in China, Australia, and Singapore from 2019 to 2023

• Recipient of the Emerging Leader Scholarship to Stanford University in 2017

• Completed the Harvard Agri Seminar in China in 2010

Julia believes that her most significant growth has come from life's challenges and setbacks.

Adapting with Confidence: Navigating Forced Change in Business

Let me guess - There’s no time but you want to maximize your Females in Food membership? 

Let us give you all the tips, tricks & strategies to 

 in this brief info session. You will leave this event knowing how to get visibility for yourself or your business, gather resources, support the community, network, set up your profile and most importantly 

and members from all stages of membership attend as our platform and community has changed so much over the past 12 months. 

The Brief- Maximize Your Membership

 In a world where living up to unrealistic standards can feel like an ongoing battle, do you resonate with the struggles portrayed in this summer's Barbie movie frenzy? As women navigating the complexities of real-world careers and lives, the weight of unrealistic stereotypes and expectations can be daunting. It's time to pave a path to success on our terms.

 that delves into the heart of authentic leadership, guiding you through the process of identifying, embracing, and embodying your unique leadership style while taming your inner critic.

 Part 1: Unveiling Your Inner Leader (October 30th)

Identify, embrace and articulate your values:

 gain a deep understanding of the power that lies within you. Discover how to unlock your inner leader and navigate the journey to bringing it to the forefront of your life. We'll explore techniques to identify and embrace your values and strengths and put forward a plan to articulate it to others.

Part 2: Taming your inner Critic (November 13th)

In this session we will explore techniques to silence self-doubt and amplify your authentic voice. You will be guided through an exercise that can be replicated in your most stressful career and life moments.

Part 3: The Hidden Art of Soft Skills (December 4th)

Industry expertise is just one side of the coin; soft skills are the other. Often overshadowed, these skills are crucial for career development and transitions. Learn how to master the often-underestimated abilities that can set you apart and drive your success in profound ways.

Are you ready to break free from stereotypes, embrace your leadership potential, and foster connections that matter? Join us for this empowering journey of self-discovery and growth, as we lead with authenticity in the real world.

-       Start with 15 minutes of content followed by 15 minutes of breakout sessions, and end with 15 minutes of discussions and key learnings.

-       Please come prepared with a current personal or professional challenge.

1.      Elevated self-awareness:  Gain insights into your unique leadership style and skills, allowing you to better comprehend your strengths and areas for growth.

2.     Empowered self-assurance:  Cultivate a greater sense of confidence in both yourself and your leadership capabilities, enabling you to tackle challenges with poise and conviction.

3.     Deeper proficiency in soft skills:  Develop a more profound mastery of leveraging your soft skills to enhance your overall leadership impact.

Marie, the proud owner of Wise Words LLC, brings a wealth of expertise and passion to her roles in both coaching and corporate leadership. As a Certified Co-Active® Coach, trained by the esteemed Co-Active Training Institute, she specializes in guiding individuals towards achieving their professional career aspirations. Her coaching approach is characterized by the art of asking open-ended questions, active listening, unwavering curiosity, and translating insights into actionable steps for her clients.

In her daily professional life, Marie serves as a dedicated Key Account Manager at Givaudan Flavors Corp. Her leadership style is marked by a solution-oriented approach, consistently delivering top-line results. She excels in leading cross-functional teams and skillfully nurturing customer relationships within the dynamic food ingredient industry.

Marie possesses a unique blend of analytical prowess and intuitive empathy. Her "left brain" thrives in solving technical challenges in her sales role, while her "right brain" flourishes in the coaching realm, where she embraces the art of being fully present and truly listening.

Marie holds an MBA from St. Louis University and a BS in Food Science from Iowa State University, underscoring her well-rounded knowledge base. She is also a certified Six Sigma Blackbelt, specializing in Top Line Growth strategies.

Outside the world of business, Marie finds joy in her hobbies, including biking and culinary adventures. Residing in Saint Louis, MO, Marie embodies a perfect blend of professional acumen and personal passions.

Unleashing Authentic Leadership: Empowering Women Beyond Stereotypes

Join us for a truly exceptional holiday gathering that promises to be a feast for the senses and your professional network alike! Our FIF Holiday Network Event is set to be an unforgettable evening of meaningful and impactful connections with accomplished women who span every sector of the food and beverage industry.

 $35/Person - includes event entry, appetizers, and unlimited networking

$30 - Use Discount Code in the Members' Lounge

This holiday season, let's come together to celebrate the achievements of women in the food and beverage industry, indulge in culinary delights, and create connections that will nourish your professional journey. Don't miss this opportunity to toast to success, share stories, and build lasting relationships with remarkable women who are shaping the future of the food and beverage industry.

Reserve your spot today, as spaces are limited for this exceptional holiday networking event. We can't wait to raise a glass and share a plate with you!

A very special thank you to our sponsor Dairy Products Inc. who has helped make this event possible! 

Sip, Savor and Socialize: Minneapolis Holiday Networking Event

​Are you a trailblazing woman in the Food and Beverage industry or aspiring to make your mark? Join us in the heart of Chicago for an exclusive evening blending pub warmth with meaningful connections.

Expand your network, exchange ideas, and strengthen bonds with like-minded, powerful women shaping the Food and Beverage world. Space is limited, so reserve your spot now. Let's unite, share our passion, and create lasting connections in the Windy City!

Non- Member Ticket Price:  $35 - includes event entry, 1 drink, and appetizers

Member Discounted Ticket: $25 - Use discount code in members' lounge

Females In Food

Events