Her Story
About Monica
Monica Castillo is a food safety and quality professional with more than eight years of experience spanning agricultural auditing and food manufacturing. She currently serves as Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager at Sterling Foods, where she leads initiatives that strengthen food safety systems while expanding her expertise in quality management. After spending more than six years auditing fresh produce operations, Castillo transitioned into food and beverage manufacturing, bringing a strong foundation in regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and continuous improvement. She is passionate about protecting consumers by helping organizations build robust food safety cultures and effective quality systems.
Castillo earned a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she was active in Sigma Alpha and Collegiate FFA after first developing her passion for agriculture through FFA in high school. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for technical expertise, active listening, and a collaborative approach to problem-solving. She attributes her success to remaining open-minded and adaptable, continually learning from colleagues and industry experts, and seeking diverse perspectives to improve processes and outcomes. Looking ahead, she hopes to combine her practical industry experience with consulting and education to help organizations strengthen food safety practices across the industry.
Committed to lifelong learning and professional growth, Castillo encourages the next generation—especially young women entering food safety and manufacturing—to cultivate strong professional networks, seek out mentors, and have confidence in their knowledge and abilities. She believes that asking questions and embracing opportunities to learn are essential to long-term success, particularly in an industry that is constantly evolving. Guided by values of adaptability, collaboration, patience, and continuous improvement, Castillo is dedicated to advancing food safety while helping create a more inclusive and supportive profession for future leaders.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Monica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being open-minded, adaptable, and always willing to learn from others. I value meaningful conversations that help me understand different perspectives, and I use those insights to grow both personally and professionally.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Build a strong network and seek out mentors who can support your growth throughout your career. Stay connected with the people you meet, believe in your skills and experience, and don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back. Ask questions, be curious, and trust in your ability to learn and find solutions as you go.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Food safety is constantly evolving, which creates both challenges and opportunities for professionals in the field. It can also be a male-dominated industry, and many women experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers. At the same time, I see exciting opportunities in consulting, education, and helping organizations strengthen their food safety practices through innovation and knowledge sharing.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Open-mindedness, adaptability, continuous learning, collaboration, and patience are the values that guide me in both my work and personal life. I believe these principles help build strong relationships, encourage growth, and create meaningful, lasting impact.
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