February 2007

A monthly newsletter from the Women's Foodservice Forum

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Roadmap Report: Comments from the Chair, Paula Marshall WFF at NRA

Even as WFF gears up for this year's leadership conference in Orlando in April, our WFF Support Team and Committee Volunteers have been working hard on our next big event: NRA in May.

Advancing the industry is inherent in the mission of the Women's Foodservice Forum:  Elevating Women Leaders.  NRA provides us with an ideal opportunity to continue to actively emphasize the benefits of elevating women leaders -- and the resulting impact on all teams, so that our industry can realize the business benefits of higher performance and financial results. 

Elevation can occur in many different forms.  We do know that elevating women leaders and achieving gender balance leads to an elevation in the level of engagement within work teams.  Elevated teams exhibit high trust, strong mutual respect, excellent communication and openness to new ideas. As a result of feeling valued and respected, deep rooted relationships are formed and performance, commitment and loyalty all increase.   

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Only by advancing the industry's understanding of the solid business case for gender diversity can we create momentum that gives talented women in this industry the opportunity to advance in their careers. Over the past year, WFF Board Members and Committee Members have made significant progress in creating programs and services designed to measure and substantially improve "organizational readiness." This is a critical milestone in our overall strategy.

The WFF Annual Leadership Luncheon during NRA is a long-standing, popular luncheon designed to provide a key opportunity for industry leaders to learn how to drive performance through the power of gender diverse leadership. It's also a unique chance for WFF members to invite clients or leaders within their own companies and introduce them to our organization, our mission and to network with other members.

This year, we welcome a true trailblazer in our industry -- Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Chairman and CEO of Carlson Companies, as keynote speaker during our Luncheon. In addition to being regularly selected as one of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women" by Forbes magazine; in 2006, Marilyn was named one of "America's Best Leaders" by U.S. News and World Report.

The presentation of the second Jackie B. Trujillo SOAR Award will again be a highlight as we celebrate an organization in our industry who is a proven leader in driving gender diversity programs. Last year we honored PepsiCo Inc. for their demonstrated success in providing opportunities for the advancement of women leaders.

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What's Up? New WFF Mentor Program Ready for Soft Launch

The new and improved WFF web-based mentoring program is slated to open with its soft launch in February. We are now looking for more mentor volunteers to make this initiative the most successful ever. 

 

So make your commitment today to reach and teach a protégé—all it takes is a quick e-mail to mentors@womensfoodserviceforum.com to sign up. The time involvement is minimal and the return on investment is enormous, to both mentor and protégé.

 

Just ask Sheri Miksa, president, CEO and director of Robeks Corporation and a seasoned mentor. She participated in the WFF program multiple times and gained as much as she gave.

 

Sheri Miksa on Mentoring

Q. Why is mentoring so valuable to the Women’s Foodservice Forum?

A. A formal program like WFF’s provides excellent role models and builds a network that can help participants professionally throughout their lives. I stayed involved in my mentor-protégé relationships long after the one-year commitment ended. more


            
Fitzi Woods                 Joyce Mazero

Congratulations to WFF members who have recently been elevated! Joyce Mazero was recently named one of Franchise Times "20 to Watch"; Sheri Miksa joined Robek's as their President and CEO; Linda Johnson joined the Elliot Leadership Group as SVP Business Development and Fritzi Woods was honored for outstanding business achievements and community service at the 23rd Annual Quest for Success Awards luncheon in Dallas.

            
Linda Johnson               Sheri Miksa

We want your story! If you've been promoted in the past year, don't forget to note it on your conference registration or simply send your news to us at info@womensfoodserviceforum.com.

 

WFF in the News

WFF is making headlines! Read more about what WFF events and activities have been covered over the last few months.

Click on the stories below to download the full article.

Committee Connection: Board Readiness New Resources Now Online at WFF

The Board Readiness Committee has been on a strong development path for over a year.  With the "More Women in Top Jobs" strategic milestone firmly in mind, the committee has been working on Corporate Board Link -- a fully integrated program designed for the executive WFF member interested in pursuing board service. 

New information about board service is now available on the WFF website under the Board Readiness link at www.womensfoodserviceforum.com/corporate.  Substantial resource information can be accessed, interviews with members currently serving on boards can be reviewed and other useful tools are also available.  It's all only a click away! more

The Path to Leadership... Begins with a Plan

WFF members have an easy-to-use online competency assessment tool to help build a leadership development plan. More than just a tool that measures current skills against the WFF 10 Core Leadership Competencies, the WFF Leadership Competency Assessment (LCA) provides guidance and resources for building a personal and powerful leadership development plan.

Launched in 2006 as a benefit exclusive to WFF members, the LCA has grown in importance to those women and men who believe in their power to impact the speed and direction of a career path that is just right for them. Taken annually, members have a tool to measure progress and highlight new areas of opportunity.

The LCA is appropriate for all levels and positions within the foodservice industry and in the past year, members from all functional areas have taken their LCA.

"It's a powerful tool," says Marsha Falline, Senior Director Accounting and Controls at U.S. Foodservice. When she became a new WFF member in 2006, Marsha took her LCA online and was surprised at the level of direction and guidance the tool offers.

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