Cecilia Haydee Lopez Feybli
Cecilia Haydee López Feybli is a seasoned global R&D leader with more than 15 years of experience in the food industry, driving innovation, product development, and cross-functional excellence for multinational organizations. Currently serving as the Global Vice President of R&D at Bimbo QSR, she oversees worldwide research and development initiatives, leading hybrid, multicultural teams and shaping strategies that support innovation, cost-efficiency, and operational excellence across the company’s global footprint. Her expertise spans people management, project leadership, regulatory affairs, quality systems, and the integration of new materials and processes.
Before joining Bimbo QSR, Cecilia built a dynamic career across multiple leadership roles within renowned organizations such as Ilolay and General Mills. Over more than 14 years with General Mills, she led R&D teams across bakery, packaging, food service, and retail channels, consistently delivering innovative solutions aligned with evolving consumer trends and regulatory requirements. Her work included launching healthy product lines, developing alternative materials in response to market constraints, supporting SAP implementation, and guiding cross-functional teams through technical, regulatory, and operational transformations. Her entrepreneurial drive also led her to found Grupo LFD, where she partnered with educational institutions to elevate cafeteria food service quality through innovation, food safety, and nutritional strategy.
Cecilia holds advanced degrees in Project Management from both the European Open Business School and Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, strengthening her ability to lead complex, high-impact global initiatives. Multilingual, globally minded, and passionate about science-driven innovation, she continues to influence the industry through her commitment to quality, sustainability, and consumer-focused development. Beyond her professional achievements, Cecilia has long supported social and environmental causes, including Médecins Sans Frontières and Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina, reflecting her dedication to advancing well-being both within and beyond the organizations she serves.
• European Open Business School
European Open Business School
Master's degree
• Universidad Francisco de Vitoria
Universidad Francisco de Vitoria
Master's degree
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my lifelong love for research and development. Even from a young age, I was always driven by curiosity and the need to understand the “why” behind things—a trait that naturally led me toward a career in science and innovation. My father encouraged me early on to pursue the food industry, and that guidance helped shape the path I still follow today.
My career has taken me across continents, including five meaningful years in Argentina working with a dairy company, where I strengthened my technical and leadership skills. Returning home, I continued to grow professionally and ultimately joined the global bakery industry, where I serve today. As a chemical engineer with a master’s degree in project management, I draw on both my education and my passion to advance the work we do in R&D.
What truly fuels my success is my love for mentoring and empowering my team. I am constantly looking for ways to elevate our research processes, encourage innovation, and build a cohesive global team. Helping others grow—while continuing to ask “why?” and push boundaries—remains at the heart of everything I do.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to never give up and never stop learning. Every decision we make has a direct impact on the results we achieve, so it’s important to stay curious, take thoughtful risks, and embrace both successes and challenges as opportunities to grow.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities—and challenges—in the food R&D field right now is finding ways to make research better. This means continuously improving processes, adopting new technologies, and fostering innovation while maintaining quality and safety standards. The pace of change in consumer preferences, materials, and regulatory requirements makes it an exciting but complex environment, where every improvement in research can lead to significant impact across products, teams, and markets.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me, both in my work and personal life, revolve around curiosity, creativity, and connection. I love spending time with my family and children, which keeps me grounded and inspired. Outside of work, I enjoy playing tennis, creating candles, and reading—activities that allow me to recharge and explore new ideas. These values guide how I approach leadership, mentoring, and problem-solving, helping me bring balance, passion, and perspective to everything I do.
Locations
Bimbo QSR
Denver, CO 80112