Creating Community Through Mentorship: Meet WIN APAC Regional Ambassador Robbie Barbiellini

Roberta (Robbie) Barbiellini, WIN APAC Regional Ambassador

The Work

WIN: Could you tell us a little about your current role and the work you do in the nutraceutical industry? What aspects of your work are you most passionate about?

Robbie Barbiellini: I’m currently the National Business Development Manager for Blackmores Group, a company with more than 90 years of leadership in complementary medicines across the Asia‑Pacific region. Founded in the 1930s in Sydney, Blackmores has long been a cornerstone of Australia’s nutraceutical landscape, manufacturing and distributing high‑quality, evidence‑based vitamins, minerals, and herbal medicines throughout APAC.

My role centres on the healthcare professional (HCP) channel — the space I’m most passionate about as a naturopath who has worked in the nutraceuticals sector since qualifying in 1996. I’m deeply committed to championing the role of HCPs in our industry, ensuring practitioners are well‑educated in both the benefits of nutraceuticals and the principles of safe, evidence‑informed prescribing.

Across my 30‑year career — spanning clinical practice, university lecturing, product development, regulatory affairs, medical marketing, and corporate leadership — I’ve seen firsthand how vital HCPs are to safe, effective complementary medicine use. My work at Blackmores allows me to continue elevating their role, which remains one of the most meaningful parts of my professional life.

The Impact

WIN: Is there a particular initiative, achievement, project, or contribution you're especially proud of that you'd like to highlight?

One of the contributions I’m most proud of is the informal mentoring I’ve offered to undergraduate students and qualified HCPs over the past two decades. Although never a formal program, mentoring has been a constant thread in my career. My focus has always been on helping the next generation of practitioners understand the value nutraceuticals can bring to patient care when used safely, appropriately, and with an evidence‑based mindset.

I’ve also supported many HCPs who were curious about transitioning into the nutraceuticals industry but weren’t sure where to begin. Guiding them through career pathways, helping them recognise their strengths, and opening their eyes to the breadth of opportunities in this sector has been incredibly rewarding.

This quiet, voluntary mentoring has shaped many careers and strengthened our industry. I believe deeply in paying it forward — passing on the generosity and wisdom my own mentors offered me early in my journey. Knowing I’ve helped others find their place and purpose in this sector is, without question, the achievement I’m most proud of.

The WIN Connection

WIN: What does being part of WIN's APAC community — and stepping into the role of APAC Regional Ambassador — mean to you? What opportunities do you see for WIN in the region?

Robbie: Being part of WIN’s APAC community feels incredibly energising. It allows me to connect with passionate people across our industry and extend my commitment to mentoring early‑career practitioners to a broader, regional stage. Stepping into the role of APAC Regional Ambassador is both an honour and a privilege. I believe deeply in WIN’s mission, and the opportunity to help bring that mission to life across such a diverse and dynamic region is something I’m genuinely excited about.

The opportunity for WIN in APAC is immense. Our region includes countries such as China, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand — many with long traditions of complementary medicine use and home to some of the world’s most effective nutraceuticals. APAC is also a powerhouse of research, innovation, and cultural knowledge in natural medicine.

By bringing together passionate people from across these countries, WIN can create meaningful connection — and connection amplifies opportunity. I see WIN as a catalyst for collaboration, visibility, and shared growth in APAC, and I’m grateful to help shape that future.

The Perspective

WIN: What do you believe are some of the most important opportunities or challenges facing women in the nutraceutical industry today, particularly across the APAC region?

Robbie: One of the most important opportunities — and challenges — for women in the nutraceutical industry across APAC is improving representation at senior leadership and board levels. Although women make up a large proportion of the workforce, they remain underrepresented in executive roles. Representation matters: diverse leadership teams make better decisions, drive stronger performance, and shape more inclusive industry cultures.

For a region as rich in tradition, innovation, and talent as APAC, elevating women into visible, influential roles is essential for the future of our sector. My own commitment to mentoring — shaped by the women who supported me — reinforces my belief that when women are empowered to lead, the entire industry benefits.

The Influences

WIN: Is there a woman who has influenced, inspired, or supported you during your career? We'd love to hear a little about her and the impact she had on you.

The woman who has had the greatest influence on my career is my mother. Fiercely intelligent, capable, and endlessly resourceful, she belonged to a generation of women whose opportunities were limited by societal expectations. She left school at 14 to work, and her career options narrowed further when she married at 22.

Despite this, she has always been my greatest inspiration. Throughout my career — through challenges, transitions, and moments of doubt — she modelled strength, integrity, and resilience. She never had the chance to fully express her capabilities professionally, yet she showed me every day how to lead with purpose and stand firm in my values.

Her example shaped my belief in women’s potential and my commitment to supporting others in their careers. Everything I’ve achieved rests on the foundation she gave me, and I carry her strength into every role I take on.

WIN: As you look ahead, what are you most excited about in your role as a WIN APAC Regional Ambassador? What do you hope to help build or accomplish?

As WIN’s APAC Regional Ambassador, I’m most excited about building our presence across the region from the ground up. With WIN APAC only launching in early 2026, we’re at a pivotal moment — introducing WIN to the nutraceutical community, sharing our mission, and laying the foundations of a strong, connected network. There is something uniquely energising about this early phase, where every conversation and every new member helps shape what WIN APAC will become.

My goal is to grow a vibrant, engaged community that champions women in the industry and supports their professional development, visibility, and leadership pathways. APAC is incredibly diverse, and bringing people together across countries, cultures, and disciplines will create shared opportunities that benefit the entire sector.

What I hope to accomplish is simple but powerful: build momentum, build community, and build a strong foundation for WIN in APAC. With connection comes exponential opportunity — and I’m excited to help create a future where women across the region can thrive, lead, and shape the nutraceutical industry for generations to come.