Happy International Women’s Day!
Every year on March 8th, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), a day dedicated to recognising the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
In the UK, women in business continue to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and inspire the next generation of female leaders. Despite the progress made, challenges remain—from securing funding and leadership opportunities to overcoming biases in male-dominated industries. To mark IWD, I wanted to highlight 6 amazing women in the industry that I look up to. I spoke to six inspiring women in business who shared their insights on success, challenges, and advice for future female entrepreneurs.
Meet the Women Leading the Way
Melanie Berry – Vueling
Based in Barcelona as Chief Customer Officer for Vueling. Over 25 years of expertise in transforming customer satisfaction, operational performance, and employee engagement for global airlines. Her experience spans six of the world’s leading airlines, from five-star to low cost, she has developed end-to-end customer strategy, delivered radical improvement to performance, spearheaded digital and operating model innovation.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter your field or taking on a new challenge?
“The biggest piece of advice I would give anyone is to believe in yourself. When I was at school, the headmaster called my mum and told her that I should leave school as I was never going to do anything with my life. Thankfully, I never listened to this ‘expert’ advice and focused on myself, learning from amazing role models. I dreamt big and have had such a fun career. I can honestly say that I am excited every morning when I wake up about going to work.”
What is your proudest moment/biggest achievement?
“My proudest moment is being invited back to the school that gave me that advice to speak about my career in a morning assembly. A few days later, I received a message from a mother of one of the students thanking me—her daughter hadn’t stopped talking about my journey and now wants to follow in my footsteps.”
Simone Walli – Austrian Airlines
Simone is the Culinary Art and F&B Onboard Concept Manager at Austrian Airlines. In 2005 Simone started her journey as a flight attendant. After many years of flying she searched for new challenges and applied for the purser upgrade which she successfully finished in summer 2018. Some years later she started to work at the crew training department, training new hired colleagues. In 2022 Simone’s career within the Catering and Hospitality team began. First she was working as Hospitality Support and Quality Assurance Manager, then transferred to International Operations Manager Asia and Procurement Matters until her current position Culinary Art and F&B onboard concepts Manager.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter your field or taking on a new challenge?
“Always believe in yourself and what you are capable of. Be brave, step out of your comfort zone, and face difficulties head-on. That will allow you to grow and help you head in the right direction. Stay curious and don’t always agree with the mainstream.”
Have you faced any significant challenges as a woman in your industry, and how did you overcome them?
“The only challenge I’ve faced is balancing being a mum with a full-time job. It’s all about being organised and having a wonderful family and friend network. The circumstances have helped my son become self-organised and self-confident, and I can say I am not a bad mum even though I work a lot.”
Ruby Raut – WUKA
Ruby is the award-winning founder of sustainable period pants brand WUKA, responsible for the UK’s first period pants that can completely replace the need for disposable pads and tampons. Ruby is also an Environmental Scientist and was listed in the 2019 Top Women in Femtech.
Have you ever had moments of self-doubt, and if so, how did you push through them?
“Building a brand in a completely new category—especially around a topic that many people still find uncomfortable—comes with its challenges. Growth can feel slow, and there are moments of frustration and self-doubt. But connecting with our customers keeps me going. Seeing the impact WUKA has made in people’s lives reminds me why I started.”
Can you share a defining moment in your career that made you feel especially proud? (Could you maybe talk about the amazing work you did with removing VAT on period pants?)?
“One of the proudest moments in my career was successfully campaigning to remove the unfair 20% VAT on period pants in the UK. Over five years, we lobbied MPs and met with three prime ministers. In 2023, the government finally scrapped the VAT. This win made sustainable period products more accessible to millions, reinforcing my mission to challenge outdated norms and create real impact.”
Kelly Stevenson – JetVine
Kelly began her wine career at 18 with British Airways, becoming Global Wine & Beverage Manager in 2016. In 2020, she founded JetVine, advising producers on Global Travel Retail. A WSET Diploma holder, Certified Sommelier, wine judge, and UK Brand Ambassador for Château d’Esclans, she was recently honored as a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Vintners.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a woman in your industry, and how did you overcome it?
“Working across two traditionally male-dominated industries—wine and global travel retail—has been challenging but also full of opportunities. I’ve benefited from male mentors and leaders, but I also created my own opportunities by initiating events and leading industry conversations. Instead of waiting to be invited to male-dominated networking platforms, I built my own.”
Melissa Adamski – Nutted Out Nutrition
Melissa is a Dietitian and Nutritionist, specialising in the area of travel, food and nutrition. Melissa is founder of Nutted Out Nutrition, a specialist nutrition business supporting both travellers and the travel industry.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
“If I could give my younger self advice, it would be: follow your passion with your work, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Curiosity and continuous growth are key to success.”
Hari K Kamaluddin – Hari Ghotra
Hari Ghotra is an Indian cook, author, and founder of the UK’s largest Indian food digital platform. Her website, app, and social channels offer recipes, videos, and live cooking sessions to a global audience. She also leads global food and beverage development for a major airline, overseeing in-flight menus and culinary strategy.
With a background in biology and food marketing, Hari trained at Michelin-starred Tamarind of Mayfair and has published three cookbooks. She has launched curry kits, a unique Indian whiskey, and the world’s first naan-based lager. Passionate about making Indian cooking accessible, she continues to inspire home cooks worldwide.
What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to women starting their careers that you wish you had known?
“Be bold, be brave, and always go with your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t right for you at that moment. Don’t pigeonhole yourself—careers evolve. I feel like I’ve had four separate careers, all interlinked, and each phase has helped me grow.”
What is your proudest moment/biggest achievement?
“One of my proudest moments was finding my third recipe book, Indian for Everyone, on the shelf at Barnes & Noble in Union Square, New York. That was an incredible feeling!”
What’s the biggest challenge you have faced and how did you overcome it?
“Challenges? I don’t dwell on them. I believe that a positive mindset is crucial—if you fixate on problems, they grow. Instead, I focus on solutions, always moving forward with a smile. Everything will work out in the end.”
Moving Forward: The Future for Women in Business
While there is still progress to be made, the future looks promising for women in business. With more female role models, support networks, and policy changes advocating for gender equality, the landscape is shifting. However, it’s crucial to continue the conversation and push for further advancements.
On this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the achievements of women in business and commit to fostering a more inclusive and equitable world. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned leader, or an ally, your role in empowering women is vital. Let’s keep inspiring, supporting, and breaking barriers together.
#InspireInclusion #IWD2024 #WomenInBusiness
