PAVING THE WAY FOR WOMEN IN FOOD – ASHLEY WILSON
Photo Amy Hamblett
From Matakana to the world stage, Ashley Wilson is making a name for herself as a specialist nutrition consultant at the top of her field.
Driven by the desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others, Ashley has spent much of her career as a registered dietitian using her expertise to shape food service offerings, first in hospitals, and then within the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry both nationally and overseas.
In her current role as the head of FoodGroup, a specialist division within New Zealand’s oldest independent PR Agency, Network Communication, Ashley provides expert guidance to brands across areas of food, nutrition, health, and sustainability; leading industry shifts that align with the needs of modern consumers.
“I knew from a young age that I wanted my job to be one that helps others,” she recalls. “Working in nutrition has given me the opportunity to create a positive difference in the lives of more people than I ever could have imagined, often without them knowing about it.”
Whilst her work might fly under the radar to the vast majority, it is making waves in industry spaces. Ashley was recently named in Cuisine Magazine’s Most Influential & Inspiring Women in Food & Drink 2025, in recognition of the work she has done in implementing a contemporary nutrition policy within a leading Trans-Tasman food company.
Though her successes speak for themselves, Ashley’s journey to a leadership role hasn’t been linear. The FMCG industry has a significant disparity in the representation of women in leadership positions.
“Returning to work as a mum came with a lot of unexpected guilt,” explains Ashley. “Finding the balance between being the best mum I could be and trying to advance my career was far from easy. There were plenty of times when I thought about settling for where I was; but looking back, I’m so glad I didn’t give up.”
Her own experience has encouraged Ashley to help other women, especially working mums, advance their careers in FMCG, specifically in the nutrition field. “There are so many incredible women working in nutrition who get discouraged or feel like they don’t deserve to be in leadership roles. It’s a privilege to be able to mentor them, watch their confidence grow, and celebrate their success.”
Ashley believes the key to success, both in nutrition and in life, is about balance. A balanced and varied diet supports good gut health, which in turn regulates energy levels, making it easier to get through the day without crashing. Finding work-life balance has allowed Ashley to consistently put her best foot forward at work and still be the best mum she can be when she closes her laptop at the end of the day.
As the nutrition field continues to expand and grow, Ashley hopes to see more women taking up leadership roles and continuing to drive positive change.
Her advice to anyone starting out in the industry or feeling a little lost in their career path is to own their success and celebrate with the people around them. “Back yourself and celebrate the wins, no matter how big or small because if you’re not going to, who else will?”
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