Introduction: The Moodie Davitt Report presents the third episode of ‘Redefining the Flightpath: Women in travel retail and aviation speak’, a podcast series celebrating the women shaping the future of global travel retail and aviation.
Hosted by Brands Director Hannah Tan, the series features candid conversations with female founders, changemakers and senior leaders in the channel.
Each episode explores the pivotal moments, challenges and lessons that have defined these women’s careers and how their leadership is driving innovation, inclusivity and progress within travel retail.
The series is about amplifying female voices and shining a light on the creativity, courage and leadership driving progress across the industry.
Balancing a senior leadership role with the demands of parenthood is a challenge faced by many women across the global travel retail industry.
For Anna Somogyi, Mondelez World Travel Retail (WTR) Director Category, Customer & Shopper Marketing, it has become both a personal journey and a source of inspiration for how the industry can continue to evolve.
Speaking on the latest episode of Redefining the Flightpath, Somogyi reflects on a career spanning more than two decades, from her beginnings in Hungary with Nestlé to her current role helping shape Mondelez WTR’s Destination: Value agenda.
Her introduction to travel retail came via Cadbury, before the UK confectionery company’s acquisition by Mondelez in 2010.
“The headhunter said this is a job in travel retail. I had no clue what travel retail meant,” she recalls. “They were speaking about exhibitions in Cannes, Singapore and Florida. It sounded exciting and I was very happy to be selected.”
Following the acquisition, Somogyi relocated from London to Zurich, a move that coincided with some of the most significant changes in her personal life. As a single mother of two daughters, she speaks candidly about the realities of balancing a demanding international career with family responsibilities.
“I think the toughest for me was that I’m constantly surrounded by those people who have a spouse who supports them, and in my case, it was always, or still is, just on me,” she says.
“There is a cultural pressure that asks why you choose to work, but more than that, it’s the challenge of the timing of being available in both places.”
Travel retail’s global footprint can place particular pressures on working parents, with regular international travel, industry events and activations spread across multiple continents.
Yet Somogyi says her daughters have become an important source of support and motivation, taking a keen interest in her work and the brands she represents.
“We should not forget that anything we do can often be an inspiration for our child,” she says.
“They understand that I need to be here this week. Every day they send me text messages, they send me hugs, and I’m sending them back pictures about the beautiful Toblerone Matcha Strawberry product or the new activations.”
Rather than separating work and family life, Somogyi believes in bringing the two worlds together where possible.
“I don’t see it as two isolated worlds,” she explains. “It’s one life. In my case, my work plays a significant role in my thinking, but equally my kids as well.”
Reflecting on advice for women entering the industry, Somogyi emphasises the importance of confidence and ensuring female voices are heard.
“Women start off with disadvantages very often, and unfortunately in the travel retail world even more frequently,” she notes. “We still have a very male-oriented world.
“We don’t need to be the loudest voice, but we could be the most value-added voice. Be there. Be confident to speak up and bring your perspective to the table.”
She also urges women to be kinder, more patient and self-compassionate to themselves, particularly during major life transitions such as motherhood.
“Don’t try to do everything,” she advises. “There will be compromises on the way.
“There are different phases and it’s perfectly fine that there are some years when it is not possible to travel. It will come back. A little bit of patience and love towards yourself needs to be there.”
Somogyi also highlights the importance of women supporting one another throughout their careers.
“We as women, we can help a lot to each other,” she says. “And also be kind to each other.”
Looking at the wider industry, she identifies flexibility as one of the most important opportunities for improvement. She points to the increased acceptance of virtual meetings following the pandemic, which has enabled broader participation across regions while reducing the need for constant travel.
“I think this kind of flexibility on meetings and how we bring ideas from one area to another is key,” Somogyi reflects.
She also advocates for greater cross-functional career development, arguing that exposure to different business disciplines not only supports individual growth but also brings fresh perspectives to organisations.
At company level, Somogyi cites Mondelez’s focus on cross-functional mobility, diversity targets and mentoring programmes as key drivers of inclusion.
“We not only look after the KPIs, but KPIs play a key role,” she says. “Once you have a target on the level of diversity you want to hit, it is relevant.”
She also highlights the importance of supporting employees through different life stages and ensuring talented individuals continue to receive opportunities even when personal circumstances temporarily affect performance.
“Just because there is a certain dip in their performance, I need to bear in mind how I can help them,” she explains. “How I can maybe give them different projects and help them have success with those projects as well.”
Looking ahead, Somogyi says her greatest hope is her daughters grow up believing there are no limits to what they can achieve.
“What I dream is they will not have these kind of questions and they will feel that they can achieve everything,” she says. “I want an open world where they have equal opportunities.
“I don’t mind if they are not executives. I just want them to feel that they are happy and they can get in life what they need.” ✈
