NutraWomen Wednesday: Isabel Gómez, Global Marketing Manager, Lubrizol

“I come from a family of engineers. So all my life, my dad told me ‘you have to learn how to think.’ So for me, it was very important. It was pretty obvious that I would end up doing a technical degree in science or engineering,” said Gómez.

But while pursuing her pharmaceutical cosmetics science degree, a speaker at a conference gave a speech that made everything click for Gómez. And at the end of the speech, the speaker announced an opening for a marketing position that Gómez applied for and got.

“So I realized translating science into marketing speech is where my passion is, and I kind of found out by accident. I started with chemical engineering…but I love it, and this is where I want to continue developing myself in the future,” she said.

As global marketing manager for Lubrizol Life Sciences’ Nutraceutical division, Gómez leads strategic planning for new product launches, organizes trade shows, and executes global marketing and communication plans. Growing up in Mexico and currently living in Spain, her international perspective has helped to foster a culture of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.

“Sometimes in Mexico, you don't have all the resources you need, so you also become more of a problem solver," Gomez said. "And then having the chance to move abroad, I also value our culture, because we are very authentic, we are very welcoming and open-minded. So I think it made me more humble, also more respectful, and tolerant to other cultures. I'm very proud to be Mexican. And something I realize, especially when you move abroad, is you have to keep your roots strong. Even if you have wings now because you are traveling the world [and] you see other things, your roots are what keep you down to earth.”