The professional landscape for women in food safety is one of intensity, high stakes, and constant motion. Between managing complex global supply chains, navigating regulatory changes, and often balancing a demanding personal life, it is easy to feel “stressed, tired, and overwhelmed”. This is the reality Joan Menke-Schaenzer, Chief Quality Officer at Van Drunen Farms and a newly appointed board member for Women in Food Safety, addressed in her recent powerful webinar.
Her message was a vital call-to-action for every woman in our industry: in a world full of noise, we must find our own quiet by prioritizing self-care and making it a deliberate, non-negotiable habit. Often mistaken as a luxury, self-care is truly a fundamental resource that can enable you to stay passionate about your work and effectively protect public health as a warrior of food safety.
The Vicious Cycle of Imposter Syndrome and Exhaustion
One of the most insidious challenges Joan addressed is imposter syndrome, which is a sinking feeling that you don’t belong or are not good enough or qualified enough for your role. While this negative self-talk feels like a professional challenge, Joan suggests that it is often a critical sign that you are not instituting proper self-care.
“When you are running ragged, and you’re tired, and you haven’t eaten or you haven’t slept, the negative voice in your head becomes much louder.”
To combat this, Joan recommends a two-pronged approach. First, label and compartmentalize the negative self-talk, acknowledging it as simply what you are telling yourself (not the truth), and put it aside. Focus on being nothing other than yourself, knowing that you are strong, smart, and that you bring value. Second, develop a feasible self-care routine to minimize factors that amplify your inner critic, such as sleep deprivation, dehydration, and lack of exercise.
Imposter syndrome tends to rear its ugly head when you are making a major career transition or stepping into a new role. Joan was faced with this when she decided to make the pivot from working on the quality side of food manufacturing to becoming the Operations Business Manager for the snacks division at Kraft.
“Suddenly, I had product P&L responsibility and I had to pivot my focus from quality to being responsible for both cost and quality. I moved into what I would call a business-focused mindset, which is a really important mindset to have as a quality professional as well.”
Joan enjoyed her time working at Kraft for 19 years until she started noticing signs that her work/life balance was shifting. Between having faxes sent to her hotel while on family vacation, and her daughter recognizing the voice of Kraft’s VP of Quality when answering the phone, Joan knew it was time for a change.
This challenge of balancing work, family, while still making time for yourself, is structural and a more common burden for women to bear as the natural caretakers.
“Women are often programmed to take care of others first, forgetting to take care of themselves in the process.”
Building a Disciplined Self-Care Program
Self-care for a busy executive isn’t a spa day—it’s a disciplined, daily routine. Joan emphasizes that she follows a written self-care program religiously every day, stressing that consistency is key. Her personal routine offers simple yet profound starting points:
Strategic Reading and Reflection: Every morning, Joan wakes up, has her cup of coffee, and reads food safety news, including recalls from the FDA and USDA. This practice slows her down, keeps her “on top of her game,” while allowing the mental space to ask herself: “What can I learn from that?”
External Perspective and Movement: She walks four miles a day, rain or shine, with a group of people who follow very different career paths- from nurses, to educators, and more. This community provides fresh air, sunshine, and a powerful perspective that everyone is dealing with similar struggles.
Partnering for Care: Self-care is not a solitary effort for women with partners and children. Joan suggests working with your partner to create a “circle of care for each other,” dividing responsibilities so both individuals can prioritize their own well-being. This shared commitment leads to greater confidence and ultimately, less negative self-talk.
Remembering the True Purpose of Your Job
The foundation of food safety is purpose. For Joan, it’s her “calling,” but when stress is high and patience wears thin, it can be easy to forget why you are doing it. Joan’s impressive career includes roles at Kraft Foods, Walmart, ConAgra Foods, and McDonald’s, and after decades working in the food world, her passion for food safety remains strong. When one of the webinar attendees asked her how she keeps that spark alive amid industry ups and downs, she encouraged everyone to remember the end goal – to protect people’s lives.
To drive this message home, Joan shared a conversation with a nurse friend who sees people struggling with their health every day. “She told me, you’re helping more people stay alive by producing safe foods.” This comparison to the medical world is a powerful way to frame the impact of your work.
“You are not just managing data or fixing roofs. Although these are important technical tasks, remember that you are a life-saver.” By internalizing this perspective and connecting it to the real human impact of outbreaks and recalls, you can sustain the courage needed to fight for quality and safety.
In short, to be a strong leader and advocate in food safety, you must first be an advocate for yourself. A deliberate, consistent commitment to self-care is the best defense against burnout, the loudest silencer of imposter syndrome, and the fuel that keeps your passion for protecting public health alive.
Editors Note: The Food Safety Consortium and Food Safety Tech supports WIFS and for six years has published a dedicated Women In Food Safety column.
