Roadmap Report: Back to the Basics Comments from the Chair: Paula Marshall

We want more women to be promoted into the top positions within foodservice companies. It's that simple. We know our women leaders have the talent and we know we have the desire. Do you know what it takes to earn that "seat at the table" within your company? Have you objectively considered your true skill set and acknowledged your growth areas?

That's where the WFF comes in. We have some 300 women who credit the Women's Foodservice Forum with advancing their professional lives. Has this organization made a difference in your career? Have you tapped into everything the WFF offers you? While our Annual Leadership Development Conference is a critical part of our leadership development programming, there are opportunities year round. Don't underestimate the power of Regional Connects, Mentor Programs, Teleforums and the WFF Book Club as ways to build your connection to the industry. It's all part of your membership. Take advantage of it.

I urge all women in our organization to take their Leadership Competency Assessment (LCA) online. You will likely be surprised and intrigued by the recommendations. Do you tend to lean toward things for which you have a natural aptitude? That can be a trap. more

What's Up? Summer Committee Meetings

We want to thank McDonald’s for once again hosting the WFF Summer Committee Meetings at their wonderful, energy-producing headquarters in Oak Brook, IL. The June 19 - 21 meetings gave all participants a great chance to network and to contribute to the future of WFF!

Nearly 200 members gathered together for this all important two day meeting to plan the direction and activities on the foreseeable agenda for WFF. Committee volunteers are the lifeblood of WFF. Without the strong commitment of each and every volunteer, the organization could not function.

It is interesting to note that many committee members were first-time volunteers, while others - including board members - are seasoned WFF vetrans. One of the unique aspects of the meetings is the interaction between new committee members and more experienced participants. more

Do you know a woman in foodservice that’s recently been promoted? Women’s Foodservice Forum is actively seeking admissions to our “Real Women. Real Stories.” segment. Here are a few we’ve received:

Congratulations to Dicki Lulay of DSM Food Specialties USA, Inc. and VP Savory Ingredients, Americas as she is elevated to the role of President of her division. Dicki has been a member of WFF since very early on – when our membership numbered less that 30. She recalls how hard it was to get a dinner reservation for 30 (since at the time, the group wasn’t large enough to warrant meeting space.) Dicki credits at least a part of her success to her ability to network with WFF members over the years and establish lasting personal and professional relationships. DSM is a $10B global market-leading specialty products company based in The Netherlands.

Also, congratulations to Linda Johnson elevated to Sr. V.P. Industry Relations at C3 (Creative Consumer Concepts). Linda is a long-time, very involved and dedicated member of WFF. We are thrilled for her success.

Travelogue

There's been a lot of buzz around WFF lately. If you didn't catch the 10 page recap of our Annual Leadership Development Conference in Nation's Restaurant News, or the great article, Take the Elevators, by James Pond, Editor of Foodservice Director, simply click on the links below. The pictures, stories, interviews and reviews are all great.

Nation's Restaurant News - WFF Leadership Luncheon lauds companies committed to diversity
Foodservice Director - WFF Maps Road to Its Future
Foodservice Director - Take the Elevators
Food Management - WFF Presents Award at Annual Conference
Restaurant Hospitality - WFF Nets $2MM
Nation's Restaurant News - Special Report: WFF Conference '06
Nation's Restaurant News - WFF confab on women's rise in leadership draws 2,700
Nation's Restaurant News -Women's Foodservice Forum draws record crowd
Nation's Restuarant News - WFF receives $2 million in multiyear sponsorships

Snapshots WFF 5th Annual Leadership Luncheon

Over 700 women and men joined us for the 5th Annual Leadership Luncheon during NRA. We were thrilled to have Clarence Otis, Jr., President and CEO of Darden Restaurants, as our keynote speaker. With diversity on the minds of all attendees, he shared his philosophy on the importance of creating the right culture for diversity efforts to thrive.

The highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the first Jackie B. Trujillo SOAR Award to PepsiCo, Inc. This award, sponsored by US Foodservice, marks the first WFF award created specifically to recognize and celebrate organizations who have achieved significant strides in Elevating Women Leaders in their organization. Jackie Trujillo and Mary Bentley, President of Women's Foodservice Forum, presented the beautiful glass award to Chris Furman from PepsiCo Foodservice.

Browse through more pictures from the Annual Leadership Luncheon. more

The Path to Leadership What's Your Assessment?

One of the important goals of your WFF membership is to strengthen your role as a leader. Whether you are a CEO on top of your game or a fledgling “assistant to the executive assistant,” we all want to move forward in our professional endeavors.

WFF’s new Leadership Competency Assessment (LCA) allows you to evaluate yourself in terms of your leadership skills. It will provide an honest evaluation of where you are right now and identify specific strengths and weaknesses. You will be asked to identify – via WFF's 10 Core Competencies – how you are making your way up the leadership ladder.

More than a quarter of our WFF membership has already used this tool and found it very effective in measuring individual capabilities and progress. Although it may take some time (approximately 30 minutes) to complete the evaluation, the objective results will more than justify the time spent. A very important benefit is that your results will be kept online on the WFF website. You should make a commitment to yourself to do a re-evaluation each year. more