In a world where the pace of change can overwhelm even experienced managers, Sylwia Mokrysz is an example of leadership based on balance and a strong awareness of personal values

Her story shows that effectiveness does not necessarily mean sacrificing sensitivity, and that strength does not preclude gentleness. This is a rare model, particularly in the FMCG industry, where dynamic action and the ability to make tough decisions are paramount.

For Sylwia Mokrysz, the Beskid Mountains are a natural point of reference. Geographically, because this is where she develops her professional life, but also mentally. When she talks about life in the mountains, she emphasises their rhythm and tranquillity, and how the repetitiveness of nature teaches humility. This way of thinking is also evident in her work. The Beskids remind her that a leader should not only act in the ‘immediate’ mode, but also be able to pause, analyse processes and consider the long-term consequences of decisions. It is mindfulness that builds her management style, which is based on reflection and the ability to see people as individuals rather than just functions.

A core element of her leadership is cultivating respect for work, perseverance and responsibility for others that has been instilled in her. Today, she passes on these values to the teams she works with, demanding professionalism while fostering an atmosphere of cooperation in which everyone feels part of something bigger.

Education was also an important part of her own development. Sylwia Mokrysz obtained a PhD in social sciences, specialising in management and quality. This was not only a personal achievement for her, but also proof that it is possible to combine intensive work with family life and academic ambitions. She is now a role model for many women, demonstrating that hard and soft skills can complement each other and that knowledge is one of the most effective tools for achieving independence in business.

Driven by her desire to bridge the worlds of science and practice, she founded the Coffee and Tea Market Research Institute, a space for dialogue between researchers and businesses. The Institute analyses the market, supports the development of new products and publishes the specialist “Coffee & Tea Marketing Journal – International Journal of Coffee, Tea and Cocoa Studies”, which has become a platform for knowledge exchange between experts from Poland and abroad. This project is exceptionally personal to her because it combines her passion with an educational mission and her desire to strengthen the skills of future generations.

Motherhood also holds a special place in her story. Sylwia emphasises that it has changed the way she thinks about work and life. It has taught her to plan for the long term, to be flexible and to sometimes let go of perfectionism. As a result, she is now developing a leadership model in which consistency goes hand in hand with empathy, and ambition with calmness.

Ms Mokrysz has also been involved in activities promoting women’s entrepreneurship for years. She is an active member of the Polish Women’s Entrepreneurship Network, collaborates with platforms that support female leaders and regularly participates in initiatives dedicated to the role of women in the economy. She represented Poland at the international Women’s Entrepreneurship Day held at the United Nations Headquarters, where the global challenges faced by women in business were discussed. She also supports the Million Women Mentors project, which promotes the development of women in the field of business, science and new technologies.

At the Coffee and Tea Market Research Institute, a large part of the team are female researchers and experts – women who can develop their scientific and professional careers thanks to this space. Her commitment stems from her belief that diversity in management is not just a trend, but a necessity – it affects the quality of decisions, work culture and an organisation’s ability to innovate.

Perhaps that is why her story is so inspiring. It shows that a female leader’s strength begins where the pressure to be perfect ends and conscious, calm consistency begins.