Women in Tanneries: Special Womens’ 2nd Edition - Full Interviews
March is all about celebrating women—their strength, their ambition, and their impact. After the overwhelming success of our March 2024 edition, we knew we had to make this a tradition. This year, we’re back, diving deeper into the untold stories of the incredible women working in the European leather industry. From breaking barriers to mastering the craft, their journeys are as bold and resilient as the leather they help create.
The second edition of our special newsletter will feature three women from Italy, Spain, and Portugal, each representing a different age group, job role, and career journey. Their stories highlight passion, resilience, and opportunity, proving that the leather industry is full of possibilities for those ready to challenge conventions.
By sharing their experiences, COTANCE hopes to inspire more women to explore careers in this evolving sector—one where talent, skill, and determination matter more than ever.
Barbara Mastrotto – Italy
Coming from a family of pioneers in the leather industry, Barbara Mastrotto began her career at 22, working in accounting and logistics before joining the Automotive Division of Rino Mastrotto in 2004. Now Head of the Automotive & Mobility Business Unit, she champions meritocracy, ethical leadership, and sustainability, striving to balance its environmental, social, and economic pillars.
Laura Castro Gonçalves – Portugal
At just 24 years old, Laura Castro Gonçalves has been part of A. Castro & Filhos for four years, gaining experience in various roles. With a degree in Marketing Management, she now leads chemicals and commercial operations, focusing on innovative and sustainable solutions for the leather industry.
Irene Tarazona - Spain
As HR Manager at INCUSA, Irene Tarazona is dedicated to creating a workplace where talent thrives. She actively supports women in the leather industry, ensuring equal opportunities for training and leadership. By bridging the gender gap, she helps make tanneries a more inclusive and rewarding place to work.
Interviews
1) Your Journey into Leather: What inspired you to join the leather industry? Was it a deliberate choice, or did you discover your passion for leather along the way?
Barbara Mastrotto: "For me it was a simple and almost obvious choice. I have always heard about leather in my family and the passion for this particular product was passed on to me by my dad who is in love with leather, with the ever-evolving technology needed to process it, and with the importance of tanning in enhancing a by-product of slaughtering from the food industry. I was very happy when he asked me to join the company to bring my own contribution, and it was in the automotive world that I found myself'".
Irene Tarazona: "I have always found it a fascinating sector because it is related to the world of fashion, which I am passionate about. I found myself in an unknown sector that attracted me from the very first moment and that was completely different from my previous professional experiences".
Laura Castro Gonçalves : "I entered the leather industry almost by chance. After university, I started working in the family business and, over time, I realized how challenging and fascinating this sector was. Today, I love what I do and know that it is a demanding field, requiring dedication, knowledge, and constant innovation. It is an industry full of creativity and challenges".
Irene Tarazona
2) Breaking Stereotypes: The leather industry has traditionally been male dominated. Have you encountered challenges as a woman in this sector? How have you overcome them?
Irene: "Yes, I found myself at a very young age in a mostly male sector, but that helped me to reinvent myself, to set goals and objectives at a professional level, as well as to develop new skills that have made me grow personally and professionally".
Laura: "The leather industry has traditionally been male-dominated, but that has never been an obstacle for me. I work with many women, and I feel that we have an equal place alongside men, with the same opportunities to grow and innovate. I believe and know that knowledge, dedication, and results are what truly matter, and that is what allows us to establish our place in the industry".
Barbara: "The leather industry is a male-dominated world indeed. I have been lucky, however, because the industry I supervise is international, and I have been able to deal from the very beginning with markets such as the United States, which was more advanced in this sense, even 20 years ago, having women in leadership roles. The Italian experience, on the other hand, was initially a bit more close-minded, but with determination, professionalism, and pragmatism it was possible to handle even some less comfy situations".
Barbara Mastrotto
3) Growth & Opportunities: What has your career path looked like so far? Have you seen opportunities for professional growth, and do you feel supported in your ambitions?
Laura: "The leather industry, while traditional, has been evolving to become more modern and aligned with current demands. It is a vibrant sector, full of color and possibilities, where creativity knows no limits and there is always room for new ideas and perspectives. Since I started, I have helped develop collections, worked directly with clients, and expanded my knowledge of the industry. I see great potential for growth and innovation, and I have found support in pursuing my professional ambitions".
Irene: "Throughout my career in this sector I have been able to see both my personal and professional growth.
I have always felt supported and valued in this aspect and I have had the support of my managers to implement the objectives and goals I have set myself. This makes the balance during these seven years very positive".
Laura Castro Gonçalves
4) A Message to Young Women: Many young women may not consider a career in tanneries. What would you say to those who are curious but unsure about entering this industry?
Barbara: "Tannery is a challenging but at the same time fascinating industry. It can open up opportunities in different markets and roles: fashion, interiors, automotive.... and it requires different skills ranging from technical expertise to creativity .... It 'is an industry that is thrilling. The world of tanning has mellowed, and new generations have helped make it less male-oriented. There is more of a preference for teamwork, and female input is appreciated".
Laura: "The leather industry is constantly evolving and needs young people who understand market trends. Additionally, it is closely linked to the fashion world, making it a great opportunity for those who want to combine passion and career. If you're curious, don't hesitate to explore – there is room for new ideas, and women have an essential role in the future of the industry".
Irene: "From my point of view, after years complicated by the evolution of the markets and changes in consumer preferences, I believe that this is a sector that finds its opportunity for development in the quality of its materials compared to others. In the end, this aspect can consolidate leather as a material with a higher standard of quality compared to other materials and can give it an advantageous position in the market".
5) Sustainability & Innovation: Leather is often criticized for its environmental impact. How do you see women contributing to making the industry more sustainable?
Irene: "Leather, reused from the meat industry and highly biodegradable, has historically been unfairly criticised. On the other hand, synthetics, with a strong marketing strategy, have been respected even though the reality is that they contain plastics and other highly polluting and low biodegradable compounds. Leather is one of the most environmentally friendly materials. As a group of people with knowledge of the leather manufacturing process, we can communicate this reality, which is really the great unknown".
Laura: "Sustainability is one of the biggest challenges in the leather industry, and women are playing a key role in this transformation. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of market demands, they contribute to the development of more responsible and sustainable processes. Innovation thrives on diversity, and the more perspectives we bring into the industry, the more creative and balanced solutions we can achieve".
6) The Beauty of Leather: What aspects of leather do you think deserve more recognition, especially among younger consumers?
Laura: "Leather is a timeless and natural material that carries the history of our ancestors, reflecting generations of knowledge and craftsmanship. Behind every piece lies hard work, dedication, and skill, transforming raw material into something truly unique. Its exceptional durability allows it to last for generations without losing its quality or charm. Moreover, leather stands out for its endless creative possibilities—offering a wide range of designs, colors, and finishes—while maintaining its authentic and sustainable character".
Irene: "I believe that the sector should implement marketing strategies to ensure that leather is included among the materials demanded by young people and to change the negative perception that the new generations have".
Barbara: "Innovative, sustainable, Circular, Zero waste approach, uniqueness, high performance, durability, heritage, animal well-fair ... I would say all of these are features that young consumers highly appreciate. The challenge this material often faces with young people and the final market in general is getting known for what it genuinely is. It is up to us to improve in communicating and providing facts that support the value of it". 
7) Work-Life Balance & Passion: What do you love most about working in this industry? How does your job balance technical skills, creativity, and tradition?
Irene: "Currently, this sector allows me to reconcile my personal and professional life in a very balanced way. As it is a fairly traditional sector, with manufacturing companies with a long tradition, it allows me to balance innovation in processes and procedures. Moreover, at the moment, digital transformation is the key to leading departments in this new approach. It is also true that from my human prism, I consider that a key aspect to position the sector at the highest point is the increase of knowledge. skills in human capital that will increase the talent and know-how of the human capital available to companies".
Laura: "What fascinates me most about this industry is the perfect balance between tradition, technical expertise, and creativity. Leather carries centuries of history while offering endless possibilities for innovation. In my work, precision and attention to detail go hand in hand with the freedom to create and reinvent, making each day dynamic and inspiring".
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The conclusion is clear: European tanneries are not just places of opportunity for women—they are spaces where women are already driving change and making a real impact.
By sharing their achievements, we hope to inspire more women to explore and thrive in the exciting, evolving world of leather.
A heartfelt thank you to Barbara, Laura, and Irene for sharing your personal and truly inspiring stories with us!