Mondelez International’s chief sustainability, well-being, public & government affairs officer provided a truly inspirational launch of Woodlands Academy’s 2022-23 “Imagine Yourself in the C-Suite” series. Christine Montenegro McGrath spent an hour sharing insights and advice with students at the all-girls college-prep day-and-boarding high school in Lake Forest. Senior Anne Kelly interviewed her before a question-and-answer session was opened to all students during the recent session.

As one of the largest snack food companies in the world, Mondelez International’s brands include Oreo cookies, belVita Breakfast Biscuits, Cadbury candies, and Sour Patch Kids.

McGrath shared enlightening details about her dynamic journey and path to navigating her career. She delved into the importance of sustainability, ways of lowering our carbon footprint, climate change and more during her hour-long presentation at Woodlands Academy.

After answering all the questions from Woodlands Academy students, McGrath turned the tables and posed an inquiry of her own. Considering all the current issues facing us, she wondered what her audience sees as future priorities. Student responses included climate change, more recycling, sustainability and DEI (diversity/equity/inclusion). “We’re going to have to deal with the planet after today’s adults have retired,” freshman Emmy Seliga said. “It’s up to us, and it starts here at Woodlands Academy where we focus on female leadership and empowerment. The more we know how to empower ourselves and have self-confidence, the more of a difference we really can make.”

 The Imagine Yourself in the C-Suite speaker series aims to help the future generation of female leaders envision themselves in the highest levels of leadership. Research has shown that girls especially need to “see it to be it.” The series does this by spotlighting highly accomplished female speakers. Woodlands Academy also hopes the series will encourage its students not to fear failure or let perfectionism get in the way of taking risks.

A few presentations to Woodlands students each school year include one public forum – usually in the spring – open to girls from other schools in and around Lake Forest.