New leader picked for NRAEFNew leader picked for NRAEF

Paul Frumkin

WASHINGTON The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation said Wednesday it has appointed Barbara Sido to the post of executive director.

Sido succeeds the former head of the NRAEF, Mary Adolf, who was laid off late last year as part of the NRA's wide-ranging restructuring plan. Adolf had supervised the NRAEF from 2000 to 2008.

Currently, Sido is vice president of Knowledge and Professional Practice for the American Institute of Architects, where she oversees 50 staff members and an annual budget of $28 million. She will officially join the NRAEF July 28 and report to Dawn Sweeney, who is president and chief executive of the NRA and NRAEF.

Sido, who has 20 years experience as a nonprofit executive, also served as foundation director and chief knowledge officer at the American School Food Service Association/School Food Service Foundation from 1994 to 2000.

Sido said she specializes in organizational transformation and exponential growth, adding that the Educational Foundation is poised to increase how it contributes to the overall mission of the NRA.

She said the NRAEF is looking to grow its budget from $5 million to $20 million over the next five years. "It's an ambitious goal, but doable given its potential," Sido said.

Among other goals, she plans to focus on the NRAEF's efforts to further education through its scholarship and focus on jobs and careers.

While she will be based in Washington, Sido said she expects to spend time in the NRAEF's Chicago office.

"With more than 20 years of experience in all aspects of nonprofit management, specializing particularly in organizational transformation, Barb is uniquely qualified to lead the NRAEF during this time of growth," Sweeney said.

Bill Hyde, vice chairman of the NRAEF and chairman of the search committee, said Sido "will bring renewed focus and support of the NRA to the industry's service to the public through education, community engagement and a focus on jobs and careers."

Contact Paul Frumkin at [email protected].