IT’S easy to get lost in spreadsheets and supply chains while navigating the fast-paced world of consumer goods and distribution. But for Renee Nathan, general manager of World Brands Services (WBS), and interim general manager for Consumer Brands Ltd (CBL), the heart of the business isn’t found in a warehouse; it’s found in the people.

If you ask Renee Nathan who she is, she’ll tell you she is a woman of faith, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister and a friend. She is also what she calls a “proverbial optimist”. This isn’t just a personality trait; it’s a lifestyle rooted in the Optimist Creed she learned years ago: “Promise yourself…to think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.”

“That is part of my DNA,” Nathan says. It’s a philosophy that makes her a different kind of boss, one who looks for the silver lining in every corporate challenge and expects the best from everyone she meets.

Running two major subsidiaries of GraceKennedy Foods means that “no two days are the same”. On any given day, you might find Nathan in a boardroom aligning on monthly goals, out in the trade visiting customers, or meeting with strategic partners.

At the heart of her day is her role as a facilitator.

She focuses on clearing the hurdles that stand in her team’s way, ensuring they have exactly what they need to succeed. By listening closely to their concerns and staying attuned to the pulse of the trade, she ensures that GK’s values of honesty, integrity, trust, commitment, humility, and respect are lived out in every interaction across WBS and CBL.

When it comes to women in leadership, Nathan wants to clear up one big misconception: that being “emotional” is a weakness. In fact, she sees it as a superpower.

“I’ve worked with phenomenal female leaders who use their emotional intelligence to connect, inspire, and drive performance,” she explains. And she is living proof that you can be empathetic and kind while still being analytical, decisive, and results-oriented.

Nathan is passionate about passing on what she’s learned, often telling young women that growth requires intentionality. “If you are not intentional, you may be busy but not growing,” she warns. She encourages aspiring leaders to be clear about their purpose, honest about where they are, and be willing to “pay the price” to close the gaps in their skills.

She also believes in the power of stepping out of your comfort zone, noting that confidence must come before the feeling. Through it all, she stays anchored by her core values. “Competency gets you through the door,” she says. “But character keeps you in the room.”

Away from the office, Nathan’s life is defined by service.

As a Teen Sunday School teacher at Swallowfield Chapel in St Andrew, she spends her time “pouring into” the next generation. For her, giving back isn’t an option; it’s a calling.

“A life well-lived is one poured out in service to others,” she says. This passion for service flows right back into her work life. She is a dedicated mentor, especially to young women and professionals eager to learn and grow. She looks for those with a positive attitude and a willingness to act, helping them navigate the complexities of the corporate world.

This year, Nathan is focused on a specific theme: empowerment. To her, empowering a team means trusting them. It’s about giving people the space to tackle challenges on their own while knowing she is always there to back them up.

She often shares a piece of advice a mentor once gave her: “I will allow you to buck your toe but not fall off the cliff.” It’s a beautiful way of saying that it’s okay to make mistakes, because that’s how we learn, if someone is there to make sure you don’t get hurt.