Chocolate Cordillera, the Latin American sustainable chocolate brand by Compañía Nacional de Chocolates (Grupo Nutresa), has launched the second phase of its program, Atenea: Women Who Transcend, in Córdoba, Colombia.

The Colombian cocoa sector is reportedly recognized as a pioneer in gender inclusivity, and Cordillera’s Atenea program has been supporting female cocoa farmers since 2023 with training in cocoa processing, finance, and leadership. 

Building on the success of the inaugural 2023 cohort, the program now welcomes 120 women cacao producers from four regional associations to receive 300+ hours of advanced training in cacao entrepreneurship, leadership, finance, and sustainable farming. The initiative is delivered in alliance with Colombia’s SENA and the Government of Córdoba.

“In Córdoba, we’ve discovered extraordinary women with natural leadership and a passion for agriculture,” says Alejandro Gil Aguirre, director of agricultural purchasing anddDevelopment at Compañía Nacional de Chocolates. “Empowering them is a strategic investment in the future of Colombia’s cacao industry.”

Program highlights

The 2025 Atenea curriculum is designed to elevate rural women from farm laborers to agribusiness leaders. Four core modules offer practical tools and knowledge:

• Entrepreneurship in Chocolate & Cacao Processing
• Financial Education for Rural Women
• Leadership and Women’s Empowerment
• Sustainable Agronomic Management of Cacao

The program has already inspired transformation and a shift toward entrepreneurship. The first cohort of 101 women in Antioquia launched 11 new businesses in less than a year—from artisanal baked goods to premium hot chocolate.

Natalie Quintero Zuluaga, global B2B marketing director at Cordillera, emphasizes, “When a rural woman thrives, an entire community is uplifted. Atenea isn’t just training—it’s a catalyst for generational change.”

Related: Women cocoa farmers finish sustainability program