Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
Okay. I would like to start, because I must say I’m super excited to be here, and this is a fantastic opportunity to share with you what we have in our female leadership at Haifa Group. We have two examples here, right? Me, Giuliana, and Aum, my fellow friend from Thailand. I’m super excited to be here, and it’s fantastic to be part of this conversation. We will try to make it a fluid discussion.
I would like to start by asking you to share a little bit more about yourself. We’ve been together twice until now, right? You recently joined the company, so I would love to hear more details about your background, your history, and how you ended up here at Haifa Group with us, because it’s a real privilege to have you here.
Speaker 2 (Aum):
Thanks, Giuliana, and likewise. I’m very excited to be here for the first time in Israel, so it’s a great privilege for me as well.
A little bit about myself: I joined Haifa Group about one year ago, exactly one year ago. We’ve met for the second time now. I came from a different industry, but still within agribusiness. I came from the seed business, where I worked for 22 years, and then I joined Haifa Group.
Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
Wow. Twenty-two years is a big change, moving from one company to the fertilizer industry.
Speaker 2 (Aum):
Yes, but never a dull moment. I’m very happy with the decision I made.
Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
And we are very happy to have you with us.
Speaker 2 (Aum):
I represent Haifa Group Asia Pacific, covering Southeast Asia, North Asia, and a few countries in South Asia. We have a regional office in Bangkok, Thailand, and I am Thai.
Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
Despite managing different subsidiaries in different territories, I think we face more similar challenges than we realize. I represent South America, which is far from Thailand, but we also manage large territories. Our office is based in São Paulo, managing Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile. I think we have a lot in common.
Speaker 2 (Aum):
Very much so.
Speaker 2 (Aum):
My first question for you is: what attracted you to work with Haifa Group?
Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
I like working with people and inspiring people. It was love at first sight with Haifa Group when I saw a company where we can participate, give input, and be heard. We have a horizontal structure where everyone can contribute, and we have strong participation from different genders. We are heard as female leaders, and that’s what attracted me the most.
Speaker 2 (Aum):
That’s very inspiring.
Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
What about you?
Speaker 2 (Aum):
What attracted me was the company’s values. I felt that our values aligned. After joining, I realized that Haifa Group truly lives its values. They are not just words on a website or on the wall. This fuels me in my everyday work.
Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
Exactly. I totally agree.
Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
What’s one challenge you faced as a woman leader?
Speaker 2 (Aum):
When I became a leader in my 30s, I managed a group of non-Thai male colleagues who were older and had more experience. It required resilience and professionalism. Over time, I gained their trust, and we became a strong team.
Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
That resonates with me. It’s about performance, values, and gaining trust. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (Aum):
What major challenge do you see today in agribusiness?
Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
Feeding the world’s growing population with quality, environmentally friendly food produced by companies that care about people, society, and the environment. Political and economic instability add complexity, but with resilience, we can overcome these challenges.
Speaker 2 (Aum):
I couldn’t agree more.
Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
What experience most shaped you as a leader?
Speaker 2 (Aum):
Learning the difference between managing and leading. Leadership is about trust, shared goals, people development, and helping others reach their potential.
Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
It’s about inspiring, not just directing.
Speaker 2 (Aum):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
What gives you optimism for 2026?
Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
We’ve built a strong foundation, defined our strategy, and focused on high-value crops with the right solutions and expertise. I trust my team, and that makes me optimistic.
Speaker 2 (Aum):
The team is a key enabler for success.
Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
What message would you like to share with our audience?
Speaker 2 (Aum):
Agriculture requires a holistic approach. Private companies, governments, growers, and NGOs must collaborate to move the sector forward sustainably. At Haifa Group, we focus on nutrient use efficiency, but collaboration beyond one company is essential.
Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
I’m proud to work for a company where innovation is in the DNA. Our slogan is Pioneering the Future, and after almost 60 years, Haifa Group continues developing solutions while reducing environmental impact.
Speaker 2 (Aum):
I couldn’t agree more. Thank you for the conversation today.
Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
Thank you. I had a great time.
Speaker 2 (Aum):
Until our next conversation.
Speaker 1 (Giuliana):
Looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (Aum):
So for now, thank you.
