Her Story
About Maria
Maria Chukka, is a Certified Food Scientist and Application Scientist at The Coca-Cola Company, where she works within Global Flavor Systems to develop innovative beverage flavors and applications. With more than five years at Coca-Cola, Maria has progressed from a Product Innovation Chemist working on sweetener research and development to her current role, where she supports global initiatives through beverage prototyping, analytical and sensory testing, stability studies, and research into emerging consumer preferences. She began her career in quality assurance, food safety, and regulatory work, gaining a strong technical foundation before making the transition into product development—an opportunity she pursued after expressing her interest and advocating for herself.
Maria earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science from Georgia Southern University, with an emphasis in food science and additional coursework in chemistry and nutrition. Her passion for food and beverages extends beyond the laboratory; she has always been inspired by cooking, traveling, and discovering the flavors and culinary traditions of different cultures. As a first-generation Nigerian-American, Maria draws from her multicultural perspective and curiosity about global cuisine when thinking about flavor innovation and the evolving preferences of consumers. Her experience spans food science, product development, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, analytical testing, and project management, allowing her to approach innovation from both a scientific and consumer-focused perspective.
Throughout her career, Maria has embraced the idea that professional growth often comes from being willing to step outside of a predetermined path. She encourages others not to get trapped in a box, to recognize when it is time to pivot, and to ask questions, build relationships, and advocate for themselves. Those principles have shaped her own journey, from contract positions in quality and food science to her current work developing beverage applications for a global company. Driven by curiosity, creativity, and a commitment to continuous learning, Maria is passionate about bringing science and innovation together to create beverages that reflect changing consumer tastes while continuing to expand her impact within the food and beverage industry.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Maria
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to persistence, curiosity, adaptability, empowerment, inclusion, continuous learning, and self-advocacy. Early in my career, I was told that the career I envisioned combining my love of food and science did not exist, but I refused to let someone else’s limitations define what was possible for me. I pursued my education in nutrition and food science and continued building my expertise through formulation, ingredient functionality, product innovation, testing, scale-up, and cross-functional collaboration. I have learned to ask questions, even when the first answer is no, because “no” does not necessarily mean “impossible.” Staying curious, being willing to learn and pivot, and believing in my ability to create opportunities have been central to my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve received is to never get trapped in a box and to never be afraid to pivot. If I find myself in a space where I am no longer comfortable or able to grow, I give myself permission to step outside of it and explore a new direction. I believe in talking to people, building relationships, asking questions, and putting myself out there. The worst thing someone can say is no, and I have learned that one “no” should never stop you from continuing to pursue what you want.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women to ask questions, advocate for themselves, and pursue the positions and opportunities they want. Never allow the first “no” to be the final answer. Keep the conversation going, continue exploring your options, and be willing to put yourself out there. You may be surprised by the opportunities that become available when you speak up, stay curious, and believe that you belong in the room.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Food science is undergoing an exciting transformation as consumers increasingly expect products to deliver great taste, quality, nutrition, convenience, transparency, and innovation all at once. This creates tremendous opportunities for professionals who can combine scientific expertise with creativity and understand how an idea moves from experimentation and prototyping to commercial-scale production. Emerging technologies and data-driven approaches are also creating new ways to accelerate experimentation, improve decision-making, and develop innovative products. I believe there is especially significant opportunity for women to help shape the future of the industry by bringing their technical expertise, curiosity, collaboration, and unique perspectives to the table.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are integrity, honesty, authenticity, curiosity, empowerment, inclusion, and agility. I believe the best work happens when people feel empowered to contribute ideas, ask questions, and bring different perspectives to the table. Outside of my career, my family, my husband, my gardens, and staying active through exercise provide balance and keep me grounded. Gardening has also taught me a lot about growth: you nurture something, experiment, learn what works, make adjustments, and give it time to develop. I approach my career in much the same way—continuing to learn, experiment, and evolve while staying rooted in the values that matter most to me.
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