In this dynamic episode of A LA LATINA: The Playbook to Succeed Being Your Authentic Self, hosts Claudia Romo Edelman and Cynthia Kleinbaum Milner welcome the inspiring Ana Maria Rodriguez-Figueres, a global leader in culinary innovation with an impressive career spanning emerging and developed markets. Former Chief Innovation and Quality Officer at Pizza Hut International, Ana Maria has led initiatives across the food industry, from ideation sessions and new product development to consumer insights, marketing positioning, and quality assurance. She’s an expert in commercialization, supplier development, prototyping, and consumer research, with a track record of successfully launching new products and driving growth.
Ana Maria shares her unique perspective on how to make an impact in the corporate world while staying true to your authentic self. She gives valuable insights on the importance of building meaningful connections and how leadership is about inspiring others as much as it is about expertise and hard work. With her global experience and deep knowledge of the culinary industry, she offers a behind-the-scenes look at how innovative ideas come to life, and how to ensure they’re executed successfully with measurable results.
Key takeaways:
- If you don’t get a seat at the table, bring the conversation to your table. Ana Maria emphasizes that you don’t need permission to create your own opportunities — everyone has the power to carve out their own space, have their voice heard, and make a difference.
- What really gets you to the top is not just expertise, but the ability to inspire others. Leadership is about more than just technical knowledge. Ana Maria stresses that the capacity to motivate and guide people is what sets you apart in any field.
- A playbook to go above your boss (without getting fired). In this episode, Ana Maria provides practical advice for navigating organizational dynamics and climbing the career ladder while maintaining respect, professionalism, and authenticity.
With her deep experience in everything from product commercialization and consumer research to successful market launches and quality assurance, Ana Maria offers listeners a playbook for success that is as much about personal growth as it is about professional achievement. Tune in for an empowering conversation that will inspire you to lead with confidence and authenticity, no matter where you are in your career journey!
Listen to the extended video version of this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ALaLatinaPodcast/videos
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