About Us

We come together to share experiences and create a support network with this goal in mind:
to c
ontribute to the individual and societal advancement of women through the common link of olive oil.

Our Story

Jill Myers founded WIOO in April 2020 during the pandemic.

Today WIOO represents 2,000 women from more than 40 countries – women in professions that include industry leaders, chefs, farmers, millers, chemists, tasters, educators, importers, exporters, and retailers.

This extraordinary diversity of professionals provides fertile ground for innovative projects and synergies. In turn, these will improve the way we farm, consume, transport, access, research, teach, and market olive oil.

By uniting these voices worldwide, WIOO aims to carry out strategic local projects that are globally connected — projects that will promote real change.

A strong task force of women can accomplish these goals. And ultimately, together, we can amplify the financial and professional strength of the individual women among us.

Our Goals

This global women’s network is committed to creating a common thread that unites women at all levels of the olive oil industry, bringing about positive global change in the areas of health and nutrition, education, environmental and agricultural practices, fair trade, and gender equality.

We aim to build a platform where women can exchange knowledge, expertise, and experiences and where they can obtain the tools and support they need to advance shared goals — in their local communities, yet with an international reach.

Our Pillars

Integrity

Uphold the highest standards for fair and ethical trade practices, product quality, environmental stewardship, and gender, racial, and ethnic equality.

Nourishment

Promote the consumption and use of olive oil as a means to a healthy culture and lifestyle. Serve as a voice for the global environment and the care of its inhabitants.

Knowledge

Advance the sharing of information and ideas among women. Educate consumers, young and old, on the joy, culture, and benefits of olive oil with an insistence on science and fact.

Connection

Bring women together to increase positive synergies, amplify a common voice, and build a strong movement to change the world of olive oil.

Wiem Ben Haj Amara

Wiem Ben Haj Amara

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Wiem is an experienced business analyst and project manager. She is Tunisian and French and currently lives in New York City. After earning her engineering degree from L’Enseirb-Matmeca in Bordeaux, she worked in Paris for over ten years in investment banking and capital markets. There, she led teams and managed projects within the IT division of Societe Generale. Owing to her origins, Wiem has always had a passion for food. Over the past few years, she has been especially drawn to natural, healthy, and high-quality products, of which olive oil is one of her all-time favorites. She is pleased to bring her background and experience to WIOO.

Imene Trabelsi-Trigui

Imene Trabelsi-Trigui

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Imene is a full professor of Marketing at the University of Sfax (Tunisia) Department of Management, specializing in olive oil and agri-food marketing.

She brings a high-level of expertise to the olive oil industry and is currently working at the International Olive Council (United Nations, headquartered in Madrid, Spain). Imene has been instrumental in the collaboration of WIOO and the IOC.

 

She is the Director of the Marketing Research Laboratory at Sfax and an expert consultant at INNOVIC Trading & Consulting Company. She is also a panel judge at London International Olive Oil Competitions. Imene collaborates with companies in developing their branding and marketing design strategies. She assists them in promoting their international positioning through innovative and digital tools such as artificial intelligence, Chatbots, and VR/AR, in order to enhance their notoriety worldwide. She is a member of the Economics and Management Sciences Faculty of Sfax and is published in many international scientific journals. Imene, who earned her PhD from Université d’Auvergne-France, has over 20 years of experience supporting students and researchers at all levels, including supervising doctoral students dealing with complex marketing topics.

Lori Jean Levy

Lori Jean Levy

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Lori, founder and CEO of My Global Table LLC, is a recognized CPG leader in product development, marketing, and distribution of specialty foods. A licensed U.S. Customs Broker, Lori brings tremendous experience in the areas of international trade, customs, sourcing, private label brand development, and a deep knowledge and love of traditional ingredients, especially olive oil. As Director of Trade and Product Development for New York’s beloved Fairway Market, she was responsible for the growth and success of the Private Label Program. She has written about specialty foods and has been a speaker at many renown international events, including the NY International Olive Oil Competition and Pandolea, the Italian Women’s Olive Oil Association. Selected as a mentor for the inaugural track of SKU Atlanta, a national CPG accelerator, Lori provided invaluable guidance and leadership on brand development and channel strategy.

Beth Saidel

Beth Saidel

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Beth is a writer, editor, and communications specialist living in New York City. For over seventeen years, she served as the senior writer for executive communications at Barnard College of Columbia University, drafting major speeches, strategic messages, content, and tributes. She mentors high school students on their college essays, helps job seekers on their letters and resumes, and works in a range of fields on writing of all kinds. A former professional dancer, Beth graduated from Harvard College where she studied visual arts. Her love of performance, color, rhythm, and style are evident in her written work, and she attributes her passion for olive oil to her husband Joseph R. Profaci, executive director of the North American Olive Oil Association.

Ángela Ruiz-Díaz

Ángela Ruiz-Díaz

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Ángela is a pharmacist, optician, and optometrist, based in Spain. After earning an MBA in international management in Madrid, she worked for a biotechnology company, specializing in recombinant enzymes. There, she participated in launches and marketing strategies for a variety of international biotechnical projects. Over the past few years, she has been managing several pharmacies. Angela belongs to an olive oil cultivator family, and she has always been drawn to the olive oil world. She collaborates with her family and is also working on her own project, NOV (New Oil Vision), that will incorporate expertise in the sciences.

Vivian van Wordragen

Vivian van Wordragen

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Vivian is a Dutch-certified olive oil expert, specializing in sensory analysis. In 2020, she graduated best in class from the Organizzazione Nazionale Assaggiatori Olio di Oliva (ONAOO), the world’s oldest olive oil tasting school. Vivian has been working in the international olive oil business for more than 15 years as a product manager, senior buyer, and category manager for several renowned retail brands. In 2017, she started her own company Via Viv (www.viaviv.nl) and is fully devoted to promoting high quality extra virgin olive oil. As an expert and importer of her own premium brand, she focuses on educating buyers, chefs, and other decision makers on how to appreciate and select high quality olive oil through masterclasses, consultations, and tasting workshops. Vivian speaks Dutch, English, German, and Spanish and has gained international recognition as a panel judge in the best international olive oil competitions, including the London International Olive Oil Competition (LIOOC) and Terraolivo in Israel.

Cristina Stribacu

Cristina Stribacu

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Cristina is a certificated olive oil taster and participant in international contests and conferences. She lives in Messinia, Greece where she is co-founder of LIÁ Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil, with her brother Konstadinos, an olive oil cultivator. As a reflection of her knowledge and passion, Cristina organizes olive oil courses for schools, producers, chefs, and enthusiasts, and educates others on the importance of the Mediterranean diet. Her latest project, “Master on Greek Olive Oil Varieties” in collaboration with an international advisory board, aims to support a more sustainable olive oil agriculture, inspire olive oil producers in Greece to save olive oil biodiversity by cultivating native varieties and promote the importance of the EVOO consumption in our daily diet. Cristina has studied the Italian language and art history, and she brings her enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit to all her endeavors.