Catalina Fernández de Ana Portela, founder and CEO of Hifas da Terra, has been included in the Forbes Women list of Spain's 100 most influential women in 2025 – a major recognition for the biologist and scientist, who has dedicated her career to mushroom research.
From Galicia, Catalina has built Hifas da Terra around a clear vision: bringing together science, nature and biotechnology to develop innovative products based on functional mushrooms. Forbes highlights her role in turning mushrooms into a subject of cutting-edge research, as well as the company's international reach, with a presence in Europe and Asia and plans for the United States.
Born from a university project in applied mycology, Hifas da Terra has more than 25 years of experience in mushroom cultivation, extraction and research. Under Catalina's leadership, the company has developed an approach focused on quality, safety and traceability.
Being recognised by Forbes Women 2025 celebrates a scientist, entrepreneur and visionary whose work combines research, nature and sustainable innovation.