Dallas-based Women’s Foodservice Forum announced it expanded its 2023 board of directors and named new positions for its executive committee.

Senior leaders from a broad range of industry segments have joined the board of industry executives to broaden avenues for women to grow their leadership skills and partner with employers to highlight strategies that will help them access a diverse range of talent, the organization said.

“The Foodservice Industry offers tremendous opportunity for women and underrepresented leaders to build rewarding careers by creating inclusive environments where all members can contribute fully,” WFF President & CEO Therese Gearhart said in a statement. “WFF is proud to work with partners across all segments of the Foodservice Industry to prepare women for expanding professional opportunities and to cultivate gender-diverse leadership that drives stronger organizational performance.”

New board chair Anita Zielinski spotlighted WFF’s expanding global reach through a growing array of virtual events and online resources, and the organization’s strong focus on diversity.

“Like the global brands that partner with WFF throughout the year, we are committed to accelerating advancement for all women. I’m looking forward to the impact our Board will have in helping organizations lay the foundation for a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, continuing to progress toward gender equity in the Foodservice Industry,” Zielinski said.

Zielinski is SVP, chief financial officer – US Foodservice Operations for Sysco Corp.

New Members to the 2023 Board of Directors are:

• Skye Anderson, President, Global Business Services, McDonald’s Corp.
• Trona Balkissoon, SVP, Chief Financial Officer & Strategy Lead, Nestlé Professional
• Genifer Gray, Chief Operating Officer Global Venues, Topgolf Entertainment Group
• Ola Idzikowska, Senior Sales Director, Procter & Gamble
• Mary Kiener, SVP, Global Supply Chain, Planning and Logistics, Rich Products Corporation
• Brooke McKillop, VP, Foodservice Sales, Georgia-Pacific, Consumer Products Group
• Erick McReynolds, VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Chick-fil-A
• Gail Sharps Myers, EVP, Chief Legal Officer, Chief People Officer and Corporate Secretary, Denny’s Corporation
• Meredith Nelson, Senior Director, Field Sales & Foodservice Ingredients, General Mills
• Laura Sorensen, Chief People Officer, First Watch

The WFF 2023 Executive Committee:

• Anita Zielinski,SVP, chief financial officer – US Foodservice Operations for Sysco Corp.
• Chair-Elect: Sarah King, SVP, chief people and diversity officer, Darden Restaurants
• Treasurer: Dr. Merary Simeon, VP diversity & engagement, PepsiCo North America

The Executive Committee:

• Katherine Jaspon, CFO, Inspire Brands
• Ann Mamer Lloyd, SVP distributor sales, Ecolab
• Coley O’Brien, chief people officer, The Wendy’s Co.
• Loraine Yalch, chief commercial officer, ARMADA

Women’s Foodservice Forum is the foodservice industry’s thought leader on gender equity. It 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.

It has worked since 1989 to provide the tools and resources to help women build leadership competencies that enhance career advancement, and it also partners with the foodservice industry to create work environments where women thrive, and organizations reap the rewards of a gender-diverse workforce.

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