BREAKING BOUNDARIES: MEET THE WOMEN'S FOODSERVICE FORUM CHANGE MAKERS OF 2024

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Mar 07, 2024, 08:00 ET

Emerging Women Leaders Shaping the Foodservice Industry

DALLAS, March 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Women's Foodservice Forum (WFF), the largest non-profit advocacy group working to accelerate women's progress in the foodservice industry, is proud to announce its Change Makers Class of 2024. Change Makers are women showing high potential to make a difference and who are driving strong business results, exemplify inclusive leadership and represent the future of the foodservice industry.

WFF launched its Change Makers program in 2019 as part of its 30^th anniversary, honoring both current and future industry leaders. Now celebrating its 35^th anniversary helping women break through barriers and seize new opportunities, WFF continues to partner with companies across all segments of the foodservice industry to support ambitious, talented women reach their limitless potential. This year marks the sixth class of WFF Change Makers.

"Cultivating the next generation of women leaders is critical to enabling the foodservice industry to compete for, develop, retain and promote top talent and thrive in this dynamic environment," explains WFF President & CEO, Therese Gearhart. "Each WFF Change Maker is impressive not only for what she has contributed to her own organization already, but also for the promise of how she will impact the industry throughout her career as she rises and expands her contributions."

Priming the talent pipeline
Although more women lead in senior roles today than ever before, research from McKinsey & Company and others makes clear that challenges remain to achieving gender equity in pay, promotion, and access to the feedback and mentoring that drives career success. By partnering with forward-thinking companies across the foodservice industry, WFF provides women with targeted educational programming, purposeful networking and access to inspiring role models that can accelerate career progress.

Change Makers are selected by their companies for their outstanding contributions and exceptional promise as rising leaders that are committed to expanding opportunities for everyone. The Change Makers will be recognized during the WFF Leadership Conference Limitless Together (March 25-27 in Dallas) and engage in unique opportunities throughout the year to interact with top industry leaders.

The WFF Change Makers Class of 2024 are:

Anna Karousis, T. Marzetti
Anna Lutz, The Hershey Company
Ashley Fehr, Chick-fil-A
Becky Davis, The Wendy's Company
Brandy Stricker, General Mills
Candace Watkins, Brinker International
Carina McLaughlin, Nestlé Professional
Caryn Masinas, Ventura Foods
Casey Cohen, Texas Roadhouse
Caty Strawther, Sprouts Farmers Market
Chanel Quinn, Topgolf
Christina Barker, Middleby
Claudia Ortiz, Darden Restaurants
Colleen Tidd, Ecolab
Donna Manwaring, Inspire Brands
Gillian Moffat, Gordon Food Service
Heidi Hughes Jones, Royal Caribbean International
Janice Kim, Woodland Gourmet
Jasmine Taylor, Denny's
Jennifer Todd, GoTo Foods
Jessica McMillan, Cargill
Jill Tinsley, Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers
Juliana Cuartas, PepsiCo
Karen Morton, Sysco
Katerina Roemer, Keurig Dr Pepper
Kathleen Hansen, Land O'Lakes
Kathy Cortner-Mercer, McLane Company
Katie Hindman, Georgia-Pacific
Laura Lyne, McCain Foods
Lauren Genovese, Rich Products
Linda Bosacker, Schwan's Food Service
Lyndsey Chrisman, P&G Professional
Madisen Morse, Armada
Marjorie Hope, Bloomin' Brands
Meagan Hill, US Foods
Meradith Brammer, Dine Brands
Nataliya Kudryashova, Yum! Brands
Priscilla Rios, Aramark
Sandhya Pillay, The Coca-Cola Company
Sandy Acosta, Performance Food Group
Shannon Coco, Kerry Group
Suheily Natal Davis, McDonald's
Tonya Sult, First Watch

ABOUT WOMEN'S FOODSERVICE FORUM: Women's Foodservice Forum (WFF) is the leading non-profit advocacy community for women in the foodservice industry. WFF leverages research, insights and best practice solutions that enable food companies to address the pressing need for talent, drive better consumer insights and increase business performance by realizing the full potential of women leaders. Working since 1989 to provide the tools and resources to help women build leadership competencies that enhance career advancement, WFF also partners with the Foodservice Industry to create work environments where women thrive, and organizations reap the rewards of a gender-diverse workforce. For more information, visit wff.org.

SOURCE Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF)