In an industry traditionally dominated by men, the female leaders of RDF Feed, Livestock & Foods, Inc. (RDF) are setting new benchmarks for quality and safety in the agri-food sector.
As we celebrate the National Women’s Month, it is crucial to acknowledge the impact of these women, who are not just participating but leading by example.
The Philippines ranks high globally in surveys, with 43% of senior management roles held by women, showcasing a corporate culture that champions female advancement. This backdrop of progress is mirrored at RDF, where eight women on the Management Committee drive transformative changes and enhance the company’s operations and industry standing.
These women leaders are more than just executives; they are trailblazers creating a sustainable and equitable future, proving that when women lead, they catalyze widespread organizational growth and innovation.
As we explore their stories, we celebrate their individual achievements and their collective impact on the industry, inspiring a future where equality and excellence coexist.
Pioneering Excellence with Female Leadership
RDF assures top-tier quality to every customer by operating several poultry and swine farms, a high-capacity feed mill, a state-of-the-art slaughterhouse, and a Triple-A meat-cutting plant alongside the widely popular meat shop chain, Fresh Options. These operations exemplify the company’s commitment to excellence and sustainable practices in the agri-food industry.
This feature highlights the formidable women steering RDF toward its milestones, showcasing how their leadership is crucial to the company’s mission of delivering safe, high-quality meats. These women are not only leading but redefining standards in a dynamic sector, combining expertise with a profound commitment to quality and equity.
The Planner and Quality Strategist: Camille Francesca T. Hernandez, DVM
Chief Strategy and Quality Officer
Dr. Camille Francesca T. Hernandez, a strategic force at RDF, is responsible for aligning long-term objectives with quality management systems. With 15 years of service, Dr. Hernandez has refined the integration of strategy and quality management, enhancing the operational execution across all business units. Her day-to-day responsibilities include overseeing Technical Services, Quality Assurance, and Corporate Planning, making sure each department meets its quality goals.
Hernandez’s skill is evident in her ability to foster a culture of continuous improvement and shared responsibility for quality. By consolidating the Quality Control and Quality Assurance units, she has standardized quality measures across RDF. Her leadership has advanced RDF’s quality benchmarks and also supported her professional growth, as evidenced by her membership in the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association and her certification as a QMS Lead Auditor from SOCOTEC Certification Philippines.
The Communicative Leader: Joy Michelle A. Literato, DVM, ME, FPCPP
Corporate Affairs Director
Dr. Joy Michelle A. Literato manages RDF’s corporate communications with a keen focus on strategic planning and execution. Her role encompasses everything from external communications and corporate social responsibility (CSR) to crisis management and support for board communications. Dr. Literato’s day is carefully structured around meetings, strategic planning, and report reviews, reflecting her methodical approach to corporate governance.
Her significant contributions include leading RDF through its first ISO certification process and achieving the Food Safety System Certification for the Slaughterhouse and Meat Cutting Plant. These milestones solidified RDF’s reputation for quality and safety and set new standards for the industry, showcasing her ability to drive change and set benchmarks in corporate governance and operational excellence. Also, she is credited for spearheading the creation and management of the corporate website and PR efforts and organizing the Vets Forum and various company activities, all aimed at increasing brand awareness and building trust.
An accomplished leader outside of RDF, Dr. Literato is a fellow of the Philippine College of Poultry Practitioners (PCPP), where she served as President in 2021. She was an active member of many Technical Working Groups, such as GAHP Environmental Review, Philippine Broiler Roadmap, and the Philippine National Standards (PNS) on Food Safety and Veterinary Drug Regulations that contributed to key industry policies. In 2022, she was awarded the Outstanding Veterinarian by the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association.
The Financial Steward: Maribel R. Salonga
Finance Director
Maribel R. Salonga oversees all financial aspects at RDF with a commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility. As Finance Director, she manages all aspects of financial planning, risk management, and team leadership, ensuring RDF’s financial operations support its broader strategic objectives. Her mornings are spent reviewing financial documents and aligning cash flow management strategies with the finance team.
Salonga’s leadership extends beyond typical financial management; she has developed internal controls and compliance measures that safeguard RDF’s assets and ensure transparency in all financial transactions. Her efforts have resulted in RDF achieving 100% compliance with tax regulations, a testament to her approach and commitment to fiscal responsibility.
The Operational Maestro: Fabienne Luz S. Balucas, DVM
Poultry Operations Manager
Dr. Fabienne Luz S. Balucas applies her extensive experience and veterinary expertise to manage RDF’s poultry operations. As the Poultry Operations Manager, she is responsible for the day-to-day management of broiler and layer farms, ensuring they operate efficiently and profitably. Balucas starts her day by monitoring chicken inventory and negotiating sales, balancing her deep veterinary knowledge with sharp business acumen.
Beyond her daily management tasks, Dr. Balucas is committed to optimizing production planning and resource management. Her regular visits to the farms and her close communication with farm personnel underscore her hands-on approach and dedication to maintaining high standards of animal welfare and productivity. Her strategic oversight and operational enhancements have kept RDF competitive in a challenging industry.
The Audit Trailblazer: Rachel P. Benoza
Internal Audit Manager
Rachel P. Benoza rigorously upholds the standards of integrity and compliance at RDF through her leadership of the Internal Audit Department. Her role involves developing audit plans that align with RDF’s strategic goals and ensuring each department adheres to both internal and external regulatory standards. Benoza’s daily schedule shows her disciplined approach, involving reviews of audit reports and engagement with various departments to ensure continuous improvement and compliance.
Her efforts have significantly contributed to RDF’s reputation for transparency and ethical conduct. Through her guidance, the Internal Audit team has enhanced its capabilities in risk mitigation, resource management, and overall accountability. This positively impacts on RDF’s operational excellence and compliance.
The Innovator in Research: Michelle S. Punay, PFT
R&D Manager, Meat Division
A professional food technologist, Michelle S. Punay leads the Meat Division of RDF with a focus on research and development, driving innovation in product development and production processes. As R&D Manager, her work encompasses enhancing product quality, shelf life, and food safety while also meeting market demands through innovative solutions. Punay’s typical day involves a dynamic mix of overseeing product trials, engaging with cross-functional teams, and conducting detailed cost analyses to align product development with strategic business goals.
Her contributions have been instrumental in launching new products that have captured market interest and enhanced RDF’s operational efficiencies. Punay’s leadership in developing chicken drumettes and chicken nuggets for Fresh Options and Rapsarap has showcased her ability to integrate market-driven product development with operational enhancements, boosting both RDF’s expertise and profitability in the competitive meat market.
The Guardian of Standards: Irene O. Vizon, PFT
TSQA Manager – Meat Operations
A licensed Food Technologist and a ServSafe-certified Food Protection Manager, Irene O. Vizon upholds RDF’s commitment to quality and safety in meat production following the Total Quality and Food Safety Management. With a decade of experience at RDF, she formulates and implements food safety standards that are crucial for maintaining consumer trust and regulatory compliance. Her routine involves meticulous reviews of documents and direct collaboration with QA Supervisors to ensure all meat products meet RDF’s quality criteria.
Vizon’s impact is marked by her ability to lead her team through various challenges to achieve accreditations and certifications for RDF. Her work has strengthened RDF’s compliance with food safety standards and contributed to the continuous development of internal control systems.
The Diagnostic Strategist: Cherrie Ann F. Salazar, DVM
TSQA Manager – Live Operations
Dr. Cherrie Ann F. Salazar leads the charge in animal health diagnostics at RDF, bringing precision and innovation to her role as TSQA Manager – Live Operations. With a commitment to enhancing diagnostic capabilities, Dr. Salazar has been pivotal in implementing PCR technology at RDF, improving disease detection speed and accuracy, especially during the challenging African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak. Her days include strategic planning and hands-on management, ensuring both the Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory and Feedmill QA/QC Unit operate at peak efficiency.
Under her guidance, RDF has developed and maintained rigorous standards in animal health and feed quality. She also played a key role in developing the ASF Control Plan, which continues to guide swine operations, demonstrating her lasting impact on RDF’s operational protocols and its broader crisis management strategy.
Charting New Horizons: The Legacy of Women Leaders of RDF
The leadership and achievements of these eight distinguished women of RDF are transformative. They are redefining leadership within the agri-food sector, an industry where their contributions consistently surpass the highest standards of industry practice. Through their dedication and visionary leadership, they have catalyzed significant advancements in quality, safety, and operational efficiency.
As we celebrate their accomplishments during Women’s Month, their stories are not just narratives of individual success but are reflections of collective progress. These women exemplify how inclusive leadership extends beyond mere participation — it is about spearheading change and fostering environments where innovation thrives.
In recognizing their contributions, we also glimpse the future of the agri-food industry—a sector leaning towards a more equitable and inclusive model of leadership. As we look forward, it is clear that the influence of these women will continue to shape the industry for years to come, guiding RDF and the broader sector toward a more successful, sustainable, and equitable future.