Rural Women Strengthen Their Leadership and Personal Development Skills Through AgroHub

As part of the capacity-building efforts led by AgroHub, a project spearheaded by Zamorano University with the support of BID Lab, the workshop "Creativity and Women's Leadership in the AgriFoodTech Ecosystem" was held in San José Ojetenam, San Marcos, Guatemala.

The workshop brought together 40 women producers from SALEMTÉ, an organization dedicated to the production, processing, and commercialization of native aromatic herbs, with the goal of strengthening their leadership and personal development skills to help grow their productive initiatives and contribute to the well-being of their communities.

The workshop was led by MSc. Paola Santisteban, Marketing Director at Panadería Shekapan, a Guatemalan company recognized for transforming a family baking tradition into a nationally recognized brand with a strong commitment to innovation and local development.

The training focused on three key areas: creativity, leadership and life purpose, and holistic well-being for sustainable productivity. Through interactive methodologies and hands-on activities, participants reflected on the value of women's leadership, strengthened their decision-making and collaboration skills, and explored practical tools to help grow their businesses through both personal and organizational development.

The workshop also provided an opportunity to recognize the vital role rural women play in the development of their communities. In addition to their contributions to food production and processing, they are key drivers of community organization, economic opportunity, the preservation of traditional knowledge, and family well-being, helping build more resilient and sustainable rural communities.

This workshop is part of AgroHub's broader strategy to strengthen the capabilities of key stakeholders within the AgriFoodTech ecosystem by promoting leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship among women producers and rural organizations. Through initiatives like this, the project aims to strengthen human capital, support high-potential ventures, and create opportunities that contribute to the economic and social development of rural communities.