Roadmap Report: A Message from the new 2007-2008 Chair, Jane Sumner  
Let's Keep on Walking on Broken Glass

What an honor to be able to represent your voices, your goals and your dreams for the next 12 months.

Over the years, WFF has provided me with so much -- incredible personal and professional development, deep and long lasting friendships and connections. It's also given me a genuine sense of pride about what we've accomplished as an organization thus far.

As your Chair this year, I will primarily be focused on our foundation of helping the individual members and our member organizations to be the best that they can be. First and foremost we must continue to live by the principles of diversity and inclusion, that's the cornerstone upon which this organization was built.

Throughout the upcoming year, there are three key areas that I am committed to:

• First, constantly delivering the highest quality and relevant programs for all levels of our leaders
• Second, encouraging an environment where networking is maximized and connections are endless
• Third, providing support to our member companies as they strive to create cultures where women can thrive

Gender diversity and inclusion in leadership is a "must have" strategy for any company hoping to compete in today's global business economy. As the "War on Talent" continues to escalate, every successful business must have an integrated approach to inclusion not because it's mandated, or the nice thing to do -- but because it's the smart thing to do for the business and the individuals.

Over the past 18 years, WFF has been a constant beacon for change in this extraordinary industry of ours. At our first conference in San Francisco in 1989, it was all about "breaking the glass ceiling." This has now evolved into a very solid and proven business case for gender diversity.
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What's Up?   New WFF Website is Coming Soon!

An all-new WFF website will be launched the middle of June with easy login, enhanced search and improved functionality.

The new site will also feature an enhanced member database featuring a new "My Page" opportunity for each member to upload a photo, their bio and other information to make it easier for members to search for one another. (How many times have you served on a committee with someone and wished you knew what they looked like so you could easily find them at a WFF or other foodservice industry event?)

Thanks to the 200 members who volunteered to be photographed during Conference, we have a large selection of photos to use throughout the site. All members who had their headshots professionally taken during Conference will be receiving their selections via email by the end of May. If you know you took your shot and have not yet received yours by June 1, please contact membership@womensfoodserviceforum.com to provide your information. more

Committee Connection
Summer Committee Meeting is June 12-14 in Atlanta

All 2007-2008 WFF Volunteers are requested to attend the Summer Committee Meeting June 12-14, 2007 at The Coca-Cola Company Campus in Atlanta.

The two-day agenda is designed to provide critical information and structured support to all WFF volunteers as our new year begins.

The meeting kicks off Tuesday morning, June 12 for Committee chairs, vice chairs, the Steering Committee Chairs, and the WFF Executive Committee. There will also be a special session for all new WFF volunteers to orientate them to the WFF prior to the all volunteer meeting. This meeting begins at 10:00 am. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m.

The general session for all volunteers will begin at 1:00 on Tuesday with review of goals, 2007/2008 plans, expectations, organizational tools, the new WFF website and a hands-on presentation designed to maximize your volunteer experience.

Dinner for all will be held at the reknowned Georgia Aquarium.

Wednesday includes a full day of individual committee work to begin to accomplish specific annual business planning goals. Individual committee work typically ends early evening and there's an opportunity to continue networking over a group dinner. The meeting ends at 10 a.m. Thursday for the general volunteers and noon for committee and WFF leadership.

Thank you to The Coca-Cola Company for their generous support of our event. And a special thank you to all of our WFF volunteers. You are the heart of our organization and we couldn't accomplish what we do without you!

WFF in the News

WFF is making headlines! Read about WFF events and activities have appeared in the news over the last few months.

Click on the stories below to download the full article.

Nation's Restaurant News (April 16, 2007)

• Special Report: Mentoring the Next Generation
• End Quotes: Having Words with Jane Sumner
  

Nation's Restaurant News (May 7, 2007)

• WFF Conference Highlights

Restaurants & Institutions (May 2007)

• R&I Viewpoint: Forum for Change

Foodservice Equipment & Supplies (May 2007)

• A Balanced Path to Success

WFF Leadership Roundtables Tackle Tough-Minded Competency

On May 10 from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m., ninety WFF members and industry leaders dined and networked in 10 different cities at the same time.

This year's WFF Leadership Roundtables (formerly known as "Mentor Next Door") were informal sharing sessions led by people with significant industry experience and attended by emerging and executive members alike. Generously sponsored by Buca, Inc, a Buca di Beppo restaurant was the site for each roundtable.

Tough-Mindedness was the selected WFF Core Leadership Competency focus for each roundtable and members and leaders held candid discussions around one of the most challenging competencies to master.

Members and leaders shared real life experiences and lessons on how they faced facts and difficulties with strength and determination; made hard decisions and empowered their teams to do the same; and confronted performance issues with direct feedback.

Volunteer of the Year Kat Cole (center) leads a roundtable discussion in Atlanta on May 10, 2007

WFF Leadership Roundtables will occur periodically throughout the year. Watch WFF Road Ahead or check our website for dates and locations. Like these Leadership Roundtables, our WFF Regional Connects (held in the Fall) give members year-round opportunities for networking and professional development.

WFF Awards our Industry's Best 2007 Leadership Development Conference Award Highlights

Since our inception in 1989, we have celebrated the leadership and excellence of our members with a number of distinctive and significant awards.

This year, the WFF is pleased to announce the winners of these annual awards:

Pat Anton of Anton Family Foundation wins WFF highest honor: 2007 Trailblazer

Lynette McKee of Dunkin' Brands accepts WFF Emerging Leader Award

Frank Steed recognized for Outstanding Board Service by outgoing WFF Chair, Paula Marshall more