The Women’s Foodservice Forum’s fall Leadership Development Workshops kick off Sept. 24 in Orange County, Calif., featuring development sessions, networking experiences, and more.
The one-day LDWs were launched in 2016 in locations across the United States and Canada to allow WFF to bring content locally to its community. During and after the pandemic, WFF expanded the LDW offering to include a virtual event format so women can attend remotely. This year’s tour includes eight cities, starting with the O.C. and continuing through Nov. 14 in Atlanta at Coca-Cola’s headquarters.
“As the industry continues to evolve, it is crucial that we invest in the development of women leaders who are driving innovation and growth. Our Leadership Development Workshops are designed to offer women actionable tools to drive their professional growth,” WFF chief executive officer Therese Gearhart said.
Jill Marchick, vice president of consumer insights and business analytics at Applebee’s, said the workshops provide an opportunity to “inspire and be inspired by others.”
“Throughout my career, I have seen that the most impactful leaders are those that openly share knowledge, exchange ideas, and work with their team to adapt and grow,” she said, adding that she hopes to share this message during her session on Sept. 24.
Falon Farrell, president of The Capital Grille and Eddie V’s, will focus on the topics of strength and empowerment during her LDW session Sept. 30 in Orlando, Fla.
“As women, I believe we are often our own biggest barrier,” she said. “I hope to deliver a message of strength that helps shift participants’ mindsets to believing in themselves and not being afraid fail.”
Certainly both Marchick and Farrell have overcome their fair share of challenges while working their way up in an industry that remains male-dominated at the top. Farrell said a tough lesson for her was understanding that as her role changed, people treated her differently. Learning how to influence and lead teams effectively while remembering to work on her own growth has been a challenge.
“One thing that helped me through each new leadership role was learning how to lead with empathy. This is one leadership tip that I truly believe results in fostering a strong team culture. When I practice consistent vulnerability with my team, sharing both my wins and my struggles, we create an environment together where we can all be ourselves. It results with the team feeling empowered to take ownership of their role and to teach their team to do the same,” she said.
Marchick said learning how to be confident is a persistent challenge, adding that establishing a strong network is critical to help do so.
“Perseverance and confidence in your work is key. Once you earn your seat at the table, be fearless, say exactly what you mean – putting your emotions aside – and stay focused on the business,” she said.
For those aspiring to a bigger role, Marchick adds that it’s important to stay curious, especially as the industry rapidly evolves and innovates.
“With technology advancements and changing consumer preferences, there is so much to learn and be excited about,” she said. “I encourage anyone looking to grow to embrace every opportunity to expand their horizons and never stop learning. To put it simply: read, read, read, go places, and try new experiences.”
For her advice, Farrell leans on a quote from former president and CEO of IBM, Ginni Rometty, who said, “growth and comfort don’t coexist.”
“When you become comfortable in a role, work on ways to achieve growth. A few ways to do this are by saying yes to opportunities that come your way, not holding back from explicitly sharing what your goals are and being ready and willing to learn,” Farrell said. “I never gave a job to someone who could already do it, I gave them the job because of their potential.”
In addition to leading their sessions, both Marchick and Farrell plan to bring content from the LDWs back to their respective organizations.
“For Applebee’s and Dine Brands, these events are all about inspiration. Bringing leaders together to learn from one another motivates us with fresh ideas that can keep our organization dynamic and competitive,” Marchick said. “I look forward to sharing my takeaways with our team.”
Farrell adds that it’s a priority for Darden Restaurants – which promoted 1,100 hourly team members into management positions last fiscal year – to find ways to encourage and inspire its teams.
“Development sessions like this help expose our leaders to a diverse way of thinking and allow them to meet like-minded individuals in the hospitality industry that enable that growth to happen,” she said.
The WFF’s fall LDW schedule is:
- Sept. 24, Orange County, Calif.
- Sept. 26, Denver
- Sept. 30, Orlando, Fla.
- Oct. 8, Dallas (+virtual)
- Oct. 10, Minneapolis
- Oct. 15, Phoenix
- Oct. 22, Chicago
- Nov. 14, Atlanta (+virtual)
Each workshop attendee will receive a complimentary WFF membership that unlocks networking and resources all year.
“Our mission is to support women in building meaningful, lasting careers in foodservice, and this membership is a key part of how we deliver on that promise,” Gearhart said.
Register for the LDWs online here.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]
