Profile of animal nutrition expert Sara Llamas-Moya
Career path:
Can you share your journey into the feed/animal nutrition industry? What inspired you to pursue a career in this field, and what challenges did you face along the way?
Growing up, I was deeply influenced by my grandparents, who practiced self-sufficient agriculture and farming—raising animals and tending the land—much like many families in post-Civil War Spain. My parents, both educators and researchers, instilled in my siblings and me the value of education and the pursuit of knowledge. Inspired by these influences, I chose to study agricultural engineering at the University of León in Spain. My interests in both learning and agriculture converged when I later pursued research in animal nutrition.
My professional journey began as a researcher in pig nutrition at SFR in the Netherlands, shortly after completing my PhD in animal science from the University of Limerick in Ireland. A year into the role, I joined Kerry, where I initially focused on generating efficacy data to support regulatory compliance for our enzyme portfolio in the EU animal nutrition market. Over the years, my role evolved to encompass innovation and product development, crafting technical value propositions, and providing technical support to customers. My contributions have broadened to support the growth of Kerry’s specialty ingredient portfolio within the animal nutrition industry.
This career path has been fueled by a deep curiosity about innovation and market dynamics. I am grateful for the continuous opportunities to learn, grow, and challenge myself in this fast-paced and dynamic field. However, I often find myself wishing for moments to pause and reflect on our accomplishments—time to evaluate our progress and gather momentum to push even further ahead.
Impact of gender:
In your experience, how has being a woman influenced your career in the feed/animal nutrition industry? Have you encountered any gender-specific challenges or opportunities?
Throughout my career, I’ve valued respect and trustworthiness and I rarely think of myself as ‘the woman in the room,’ even though that has often been the case. This is a close-knit industry, defined by a genuine sense of community, where people support one another as both colleagues and friends. I’ve experienced teamwork that transcends gender, and I hope every woman in animal nutrition—and beyond—has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our field’s future.
As part of the primary sector, I’m proud to understand and influence how our food is sourced and produced. I believe deeply in the essential role of the animal nutrition industry in promoting food security, safety, and sustainability. However, we must continue to stay relevant and aligned with consumer concerns, particularly around animal welfare and climate change. While animal protein remains crucial to healthy diets worldwide, it is often women who take on the responsibility of selecting and preparing food for their families. I frequently find that my female friends and family members ask me about the latest food and nutrition trends.
Women in animal nutrition can help bridge communication gaps by fostering a more diverse and inclusive industry, sharing an authentic story with consumers about its expertise and commitment.
Mentorship and support:
How important have mentorship and networking been in your career? Can you share any specific experiences where support from other women or mentors made a difference?
I have been fortunate to work with inclusive leaders and teams. It is only after many years that I have been able to fully appreciate the positive influence of mentors and colleagues, who supported me even as I navigated the personal journey of starting a family. Balancing work and personal life has been a learning process, one that taught me it’s less about achieving a perfect equilibrium and more about adapting to changing priorities over time. I have focused on developing myself as a professional, and this, combined with empathy and emotional intelligence toward my community, has been a reliable recipe for success in my career.
Although I have mostly had male leaders and colleagues, I have always been provided with opportunities to learn, grow, contribute, and challenge when necessary—both in daily work and regarding our business’s long-term goals. My commitment to working from a foundation of respect and trust, regardless of gender, has been reflected in the multi-disciplinary teams I collaborate with, both within and beyond my organization.
Industry changes:
What changes have you observed in the feed/animal nutrition sector regarding gender diversity and inclusion over the years? What more needs to be done to improve representation and equity?
Our industry is experiencing a positive cultural and professional shift toward diversity and inclusion. Traditionally, women have often taken on caregiving roles, whether raising families or supporting older generations. It has required both courage and increased awareness of gender inequality for organizations to fully recognize and appreciate the contributions women make across society and industry. Women have a great deal to offer, and we’re ready to meet the challenges ahead. From my perspective, this industry is incredibly rewarding for any young professional seeking to make a difference in a sector crucial to a secure and sustainable food supply chain. It’s essential that we continue to highlight the wide range of opportunities available to all, regardless of gender.
Advice for future generations:
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the animal nutrition industry? Are there specific skills or experiences you believe are essential?
Open-mindedness and curiosity are invaluable qualities for any young woman considering a career in the animal nutrition industry, an industry known for its resourcefulness, effectiveness, and essential role in securing the global food supply chain. For those interested in understanding where our food comes from, what impacts its safety, and how the circular economy functions, the feed industry offers meaningful opportunities to contribute. My advice to young women entering the field is to approach their work with respect and authenticity. Be curious—about your strengths, your role, your colleagues, and the industry. Take time to understand what you’re naturally skilled at and focus on building a network that supports your growth and goals.
Vision for the future:
What is your vision for the role of women in the animal nutrition sector over the next decade? How can we work together to foster an environment that supports women’s growth and leadership?
We are paving the way for women to be recognized as thought leaders shaping the feed industry. What we need are inspiring professionals who are not only curious and passionate about their contributions to animal nutrition, but who also feel valued, respected, and given equal opportunities based on their talent, not their gender. This commitment to inclusivity must be present at every level, in every role, and across all regions. The next generation of women in feed should enter a workplace free from unconscious biases, a safe and supportive environment that enables them to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the responsible, effective nutrition of animals.
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