Cathy Kapica
Interview Posted By: Ashley Smith
1. Can you tell us a little about your background? i.e. Where you grew up, what education do you have, a summary of your resume, did you always want to do what you are doing now, when did you start to become interested in STEM, what internships/ volunteering
I have always been fascinated by science. The only question was what branch of science—biology won out. I’m a Chicago native, with a BS in biology minoring in chemistry, MS in clinical nutrition, PhD in public health science. I am Certified in Food Science, Certified in Family and Consumer Science, and a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist. My bio:
Dr. Cathy Kapica is a public health expert, food and nutrition scientist, and licensed health professional, with over 30 years of experience providing strategic insights and effective tactics that support both public health and real world business demands. She specializes in anticipatory issues management. She honed her issues management skills as the first Global Director of Nutrition at McDonald’s, where she also led their nutrition effort worldwide, working closely with a multidisciplinary team of both internal and external experts to develop and promote health and wellness initiatives in 118 countries. As Senior Vice President of Global Health & Wellness at Ketchum, Dr. Kapica helped multi-national and domestic food makers, commodity groups and organizations achieve business goals using science-based yet consumer-friendly approaches. Earlier in her career, at the Quaker Oats Company, she developed and implemented science-based programs to promote the health benefits of whole grain oatmeal and breakfast to health professionals and consumers. She has a current appointment as adjunct nutrition faculty at Tufts University, and prior faculty positions at The Chicago Medical School and the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine. She is an experienced media spokesperson and international presenter. Her extensive knowledge of health professional organizations began when she worked at the American Medical Association promoting nutrition in medical education.Dr. Kapica is currently CEO of The Awegrin Institute, whose mission is to help organizations meet business goals while promoting evidence-based public health. She is also on the Board of Directors for the Institute of Food Technology.
As a professional artist, she is able to tap into that creativity to help find solutions that work in the real world. Her key areas of strength include: up-to-date knowledge of global nutrition, food, and health issues; situation analysis, and identification of effective solutions; and influencer relations. She is a sought-after speaker and resource for scientific advisory boards.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I work with companies as a consultant to insure that their marketing and communications are consistent with public health needs and the state of the science, and that their messages are, in fact, evidence-based.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
STEM is the foundation of what I have done and currently do professionally. The skills I learned working on my degrees are what are important—how to find and access science, the language of science, how to stay current in the science. The content has changed considerably, since science and technology are continually evolving.
4. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
Oh, yes. I have faced many of the issues still facing women in the workplace, from unequal pay, to a less ‘prestigious’ job title, to grief about being assertive, as well as not being serious about work after having children. Probably one of the most important things I have done is to request (demand) that if someone calls a male Dr. so and so, they refer to me as Dr. as well, and not by my first name or Miss. Advice: Demand the same respect that male colleagues would get, but do not try to become ‘one of the guys’ if it is not in your nature.
5. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
The best part of my job is learning. To be good at what I do requires that I stay current with the scientific literature, not only in my field but in science and technology more broadly. It helps that I like to read. I also like to take complex issues and make them more understandable to non-scientists. What I don’t like to do is market myself and my abilities. I think my work should stand for itself, but in today’s world, that will no long suffice to be successful.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
Simplify, organize and prioritize. Don’t feel guilty if the house is dirty or you don’t like to cook. Make sure your partner (and even children) share the responsibility for household duties. And, importantly, schedule time for yourself (a massage, pedicure, whatever you enjoy). You can have it all, just not at the same time.
7. What do you define success as?
The feeling of having a job well done, and being appropriately recognized for it (which includes compensation).
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Excellent communication skills.
9. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
One of my greatest professional disappointments is the lack of what I would consider a good mentor during my career. I learned a lot about what NOT to do from people, but in retrospect I feel that much of what I did felt like I was fighting upstream, and would have benefited from having someone to help pave the way.
10. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received ? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
The best advice came from my mother, who only had 2 years of high school: people will always need to eat, and they will always get sick, so there will always be jobs in those areas. The best advice I would pass on to other women is choose something that you enjoy and are passionate about, and don’t let other people’s expectations or perceptions of you stand in your way.
I have always been fascinated by science. The only question was what branch of science—biology won out. I’m a Chicago native, with a BS in biology minoring in chemistry, MS in clinical nutrition, PhD in public health science. I am Certified in Food Science, Certified in Family and Consumer Science, and a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist. My bio:
Dr. Cathy Kapica is a public health expert, food and nutrition scientist, and licensed health professional, with over 30 years of experience providing strategic insights and effective tactics that support both public health and real world business demands. She specializes in anticipatory issues management. She honed her issues management skills as the first Global Director of Nutrition at McDonald’s, where she also led their nutrition effort worldwide, working closely with a multidisciplinary team of both internal and external experts to develop and promote health and wellness initiatives in 118 countries. As Senior Vice President of Global Health & Wellness at Ketchum, Dr. Kapica helped multi-national and domestic food makers, commodity groups and organizations achieve business goals using science-based yet consumer-friendly approaches. Earlier in her career, at the Quaker Oats Company, she developed and implemented science-based programs to promote the health benefits of whole grain oatmeal and breakfast to health professionals and consumers. She has a current appointment as adjunct nutrition faculty at Tufts University, and prior faculty positions at The Chicago Medical School and the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine. She is an experienced media spokesperson and international presenter. Her extensive knowledge of health professional organizations began when she worked at the American Medical Association promoting nutrition in medical education.Dr. Kapica is currently CEO of The Awegrin Institute, whose mission is to help organizations meet business goals while promoting evidence-based public health. She is also on the Board of Directors for the Institute of Food Technology.
As a professional artist, she is able to tap into that creativity to help find solutions that work in the real world. Her key areas of strength include: up-to-date knowledge of global nutrition, food, and health issues; situation analysis, and identification of effective solutions; and influencer relations. She is a sought-after speaker and resource for scientific advisory boards.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I work with companies as a consultant to insure that their marketing and communications are consistent with public health needs and the state of the science, and that their messages are, in fact, evidence-based.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
STEM is the foundation of what I have done and currently do professionally. The skills I learned working on my degrees are what are important—how to find and access science, the language of science, how to stay current in the science. The content has changed considerably, since science and technology are continually evolving.
4. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
Oh, yes. I have faced many of the issues still facing women in the workplace, from unequal pay, to a less ‘prestigious’ job title, to grief about being assertive, as well as not being serious about work after having children. Probably one of the most important things I have done is to request (demand) that if someone calls a male Dr. so and so, they refer to me as Dr. as well, and not by my first name or Miss. Advice: Demand the same respect that male colleagues would get, but do not try to become ‘one of the guys’ if it is not in your nature.
5. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
The best part of my job is learning. To be good at what I do requires that I stay current with the scientific literature, not only in my field but in science and technology more broadly. It helps that I like to read. I also like to take complex issues and make them more understandable to non-scientists. What I don’t like to do is market myself and my abilities. I think my work should stand for itself, but in today’s world, that will no long suffice to be successful.
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
Simplify, organize and prioritize. Don’t feel guilty if the house is dirty or you don’t like to cook. Make sure your partner (and even children) share the responsibility for household duties. And, importantly, schedule time for yourself (a massage, pedicure, whatever you enjoy). You can have it all, just not at the same time.
7. What do you define success as?
The feeling of having a job well done, and being appropriately recognized for it (which includes compensation).
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Excellent communication skills.
9. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
One of my greatest professional disappointments is the lack of what I would consider a good mentor during my career. I learned a lot about what NOT to do from people, but in retrospect I feel that much of what I did felt like I was fighting upstream, and would have benefited from having someone to help pave the way.
10. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received ? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
The best advice came from my mother, who only had 2 years of high school: people will always need to eat, and they will always get sick, so there will always be jobs in those areas. The best advice I would pass on to other women is choose something that you enjoy and are passionate about, and don’t let other people’s expectations or perceptions of you stand in your way.