06/20/2026
This was our premiere Conversation with an extraordinarily accomplished business woman, speaking to us from her offices in Mexico! You’ll see why I was so keen to talk to Janet Arteaga, who has earned a most impressive resume or CV, starting with her position as a biologist and her Master's degree in Integrated Watershed Management from the Autonomous University of Querétaro. She has over six years of experience in the cosmetics sector ~ her organization makes shampoos, facial creams, collagens and more, and Janet has been key to developing value chains, laboratory work, quality control, as well as corporate social responsibility matters. She has been recognized as an EcoLeader Businesswoman conference in Germany earlier this year, a program promoted by the CCME in partnership with the German Cooperation Agency (GIZ).
It was this combination of a science-led pedigree along with her dedication to the Women and Environment Group in La Carbonera community that drew my attention.
But there was one distinctive element that compelled me to seek out Janet for a very informative and inspiring Conversation so that we could learn more about her work utilizing the principles of the Nagoya Protocol.
Not familiar with this global initiative? Well, this is your lucky day as I am honored & excited to tell you about it ~ stay with me ~ as the Nagoya Protocol is the foundation or fabric of our Conversation and Janet’s story.
The Nagoya Protocol is: “a legally binding international agreement designed to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. Adopted in 2010 by nearly 150 countries to prevent biopiracy and promote global biodiversity conservation.
So in other words, big companies can’t just go into a place and take the knowledge of the local people and their plants to develop a drug or cosmetic, and not share in the profits. (Bonus points if you can identify the few big countries that have not signed on 🙁)
So back to Janet and her story. As Project Manager, Janet leads the Mujeres Y Ambiente ~ Women and the Environment founded and led by women along with Provital, the Barcelona-based, Spanish company that is a global supplier of natural active ingredients for the cosmetics industry. The company established a landmark partnership with Mujeres y Ambiente, the Mexican government, and a local university to develop and market cosmetics based on the medicinal and healing properties of locally-grown, historically important plants. The working group is considered one of the first cases of full compliance with the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing.
At the same time, the Mujeres y Ambiente work supports women entrepreneurs to grow their agricultural micro-businesses and engages and encourages biodiversity conservation. Their work and success have empowered women to create jobs and improve their communities. Since 2009, Women and the Environment or the Mujeres y Ambientes has transformed traditional knowledge into sustainable, productive projects led by these extraordinary women committed to caring for life and the environment.
It’s a truly remarkable global success story and I hope you can understand better why I wanted to bring Janet’s work to our attention.
I first learned about the organization while I was doing research for my novel. I was fascinated that they were one of the first to utilize the Nagoya Protocol as it was intended. From 2017 to March 2020, Janet served as a Genetic Resources Specialist for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Project on Strengthening National Capacities for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in Mexico.
Janet graciously agreed to be a special, featured guest on our Ladies Who Lunch Conversations videocast, so all that was left to do was to schedule the date and best determine in what language we would conduct the interview. While I have long studied the Spanish language, practicing every day, (along with French), I readily admit that my skills are not quick enough. I thought it would be cumbersome for you, the viewers/Followers. And we agreed that Janet’s English was a lot like my Spanish ☺️ soooo, I asked my mother’s neighbor, Edit Petrone who, years ago came to the US from Argentina, to help us translate and navigate the Conversation. Gracias, Edit. Your gracious and discrete contribution to our Conversation is greatly appreciated.
I hope you enjoy this very enlightening and inspiring Conversation with me and Janet. With Edit.
Soon, I will post a detailed overview on my Garden Glamour blog.
Till then, you can explore our Conversation videocast here where you will learn about the work of Mujeres Y Ambiente Consejo Coordinador de Mujeres Empresarias Nacional and Janet’s journey with the Women and Environment Group, her work as a consultant in access permit management processes for genetic resources as well as fair trade and supply projects, value chains with producers and the private sector, in addition to her consulting work for international cooperation organizations and subnational governments on nature-based solutions and strategic public policy management.
And, as you know, as the author of "Art of the Garnish," I am eager and curious to ask about the guest's preferred cocktail, so you will learn what Janet's favorite drinks are too!
How impressive is this woman? Thank you/Muchos Gracias, Janet. You are so inspiring. Tu eres muy inspiradora. 🥂 🌟
