Finding Your Voice: Empowering Women in Foodservice

Krista Gibson knows the value of Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) programming.

“As an emerging leader, I attended a WFF in-person event early in my career and was inspired by all the possibilities after hearing executive women share their career stories.”

Gibson, who went on to become a C-suite leader in the foodservice industry with stints at Brinker International and Darden Restaurants, among others, now serves as the non-profit’s CMO. 

“Today,  I am working for WFF and have the honor of ensuring that these important aspects of developing and inspiring future leaders continue for the next generation.”

This October and November, WFF is bringing  Leadership Development Workshops (LDWs) to cities across the U.S., with each hosted at a  partner company’s HQ including General Mills, McDonald’s, The Coca-Cola Company, and Darden.

The one-day workshops will be held on:

• October 7, Minneapolis – General Mills HQ

• October 14, Dallas + virtual – Brinker International HQ

• October 16, Los Angeles – Sysco Regional Office

• October 21, Chicago – McDonald’s HQ

• October 23, Atlanta + virtual – The Coca-Cola Company HQ

• November 13, Orlando – Darden Restaurants HQ

Two events will be livestreamed virtually (October 14 and 23) to expand access to anyone in the country.

Hosting one-day events makes it easier for busy professionals, especially field-based employees, to attend without a major time or travel commitment, while still delivering an immersive experience. Offering virtual options, extends that accessibility even further. Attendees also receive a complimentary WFF membership unlocking a library of virtual professional development content. Value pricing is in effect for this year. 

“No matter where you are, you can invest in your professional development, build connections, and walk away with tools you can immediately apply,” Gibson said. 

LDWs are designed for rising leaders eager to advance in their careers by focusing on their professional development, Gibson explained.

“What we hope every attendee takes away is a sense of empowerment, a stronger network, and tangible tools to leverage in their roles. Our goal is for each attendee to leave feeling not just inspired but equipped to take their new learnings and apply these to both their professional, and personal, lives creating positive outcomes.”

This year's theme, "Finding Your Voice,” is aimed at helping attendees gain the confidence and clarity to effectively communicate, influence and lead authentically. Partnerships with foodservice companies are at the heart of WFF’s impact, according to Gibson. 

“We work closely with organizations to provide leadership development programs for their employees, ranging from emerging leader talent to executives. Our leadership development programs support all leaders, regardless of where they are in their career, and offer support all year long and all career long.”

Gibson believes the foodservice industry is filled with opportunities. According to the National Restaurant Association, nine out of ten managers began their careers in hourly roles.  

“Foodservice is one of the most dynamic, fast-paced industries out there. It offers incredible opportunities for entry-level employees to grow into senior leaders by developing leadership skills and provides the opportunity to build careers that can touch every part of the business from operations and marketing to supply chain and technology. It is an industry that offers countless opportunities for those that are interested.”

However, at some point in their career, Gibson offered, women in foodservice may experience some of the same challenges as women in other industries: representation gaps at the top, work-life integration pressures, or unconscious bias. 

“That's exactly why WFF exists – to provide a community that can offer solutions or support for shared challenges and to prepare leaders for the future.”