Her Story
About Nena
Nena Blondin serves as the Quality Management System Manager at Excel, a highly automated robotic logistics and distribution platform. In this role, she oversees all sites, establishes the Electronic Quality Management System, acts as the Safe Quality Food Practitioner for the site, and represents the company during audits and inspections. With nearly 25 years of professional experience, she has worked across multiple industries including food, medical devices, pharmaceutical, and chemical manufacturing before transitioning to her current focus in distribution and logistics. Nena holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Technology from the University of the Philippines and has completed most of the coursework toward a law degree from San Carlos University. She maintains certifications as an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor and in Dangerous Goods, and she draws on her passion for regulatory compliance and quick learning ability to apply practical solutions in quality management. Nena is a member of the American Society for Quality and previously served as president of the Food Technology Association. She attributes her success to maintaining integrity, keeping an open mind, and leveraging her diverse background to navigate complex regulatory environments.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nena
01What do you attribute your success to?
I guess I learn quickly and also because I have the passion for regulatory compliance. I only have a few more units left for my second degree which is in law and that gives me a sense of picking out the essence of the regulations and also the standards and applying it to in a practical viewpoint for people on the floor.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
It came from one of my mentors who actually encouraged me to get my American Society for Quality Certified Quality Auditor certification. He said I shouldn't limit myself because up to that point I was really looking only at the food industry and then he encouraged me to go into medical devices and even go beyond medical devices so that's how I was able to go into above and beyond what my initial perspective was.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise them to keep an open mind, keep options open always and that has worked well for me. And not to limit themselves as well.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Having integrity at all times even when nobody's looking or nobody is evaluating you. Just keep doing the right thing and things will fall into place.
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