Women's leadership in foodservice garners more attention

Christine Smith on the power of passion | FedEx Custom Critical CEO discusses diversity | Norwegian business school president leads by example Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( March 1, 2023 [WFF Leadership SmartBrief]( Advancing and Empowering Women Leaders [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE](  [] A Leader's Edge [] [Christine Smith on the power of passion]( Christine Smith, a former architect who founded cannabis edibles company Gron, has leaned on her love of food and passion for creativity to navigate the challenges of the industry's lack of regulation and policies as well as the opportunities presented by an emerging and transforming market. Smith advised women looking to gain a foothold in a male-dominated industry like the cannabis industry that it's crucial to identify their passion and pursue it: "Without that, especially in this industry, it's difficult to make a go of it," she said. Full Story: [Forbes (tiered subscription model)]( (2/24) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Career Progression: Developing Leaders [] [FedEx Custom Critical CEO discusses diversity]( Ramona Hood, CEO and president of FedEx Custom Critical, told an audience of Kent State University students how she strives toward a diverse culture in her role as a leader and in the workplace she leads. "I think diversity is critical in making business decisions...at the end of the day, a diverse thought process will allow you to think about things that maybe you individually would have blind spots to," Hood said at an event put on by Public Relations Student Society of America in celebration of Black History Month. Full Story: [KentWired (Kent State University)]( (2/22) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Norwegian business school president leads by example]( Karen Spens, president of BI Norwegian Business School -- one of the top-ranked business schools in Europe -- says her mantra is "listen, learn, lead," and she has been on the forefront of both sustainability and diversity advancements at the school, saying integrity and being a role model are key for leaders. "Being visible and vocal and leading by example is vital, especially in difficult times," Spens says. Full Story: [Forbes (tiered subscription model)]( (2/24) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Developmental relationships come in many forms]( Numerous terms fall under the umbrella of developmental relationships, which refer to relationships with people who are willing to "help an individual advance in his or her career," according to leadership coach Susan Madsen, who urges professionals to explore all their options in finding such a positive connection because of the benefits it provides. Leaders who are looking into providing development training for their own team members should do their research and provide employees with a way to analyze their developmental relationships, Madsen advises. Full Story: [Forbes (tiered subscription model)]( (2/23) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Female supply chain execs grapple with gender adversity]( Three-quarters of female supply chain executives say gender-based adversity is pervasive in the workplace, such as receiving lower pay or being given more tasks outside the norm than male counterparts, and just 16% reported seeing tangible progress in gender equity, according to Procurious research. "We need to work together to lift up, empower and protect women in the workforce and drive real change," said Procurious CEO Tania Seary in a statement. Full Story: [Material Handling & Logistics online]( (2/24) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Diversity and Inclusion [] [Food chains honor community during Black History Month]( CEO and managing director of KFC South Africa's KPML Group of Companies Kedibone Patricia Malatji Lebethe and Taco Bell's Chief Brand Officer Sean Tresvant are spotlighted in this Black History Month piece for their journey to franchise ownership and the C-suite, writes Haley Cafarella. Cafarella also highlights The International Franchise Association's Black Franchise Leadership Council and McDonald's Black & Positively Golden Change Leaders initiatives that aim to elevate the next wave of leaders. Full Story: [FranchiseWire]( (2/22) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Why being intentional isn't enough for successful DEI]( Ann Harrison, dean of the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, says when leaders are dedicated and act in a systematic way, they can make progress on diversity, equity and inclusion, proven by her success in diversifying both the student body and faculty over the past four years. In addition to being intentional, Harrison also says organizations need "to focus on the pipeline" and find "resources to make these changes." Full Story: [McKinsey]( (2/24) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Author shares lessons on DEI that leaders must learn]( Unconscious bias, stereotyping and marginalizing of co-workers in underrepresented groups can prevent companies from reaching their diversity, equity and inclusion goals, and should be examined, says Sally Helgesen, author of "Rising Together: How We Can Bridge Divides and Create a More Inclusive Workplace." Companies know they've created a culture of belonging when all employees "feel ownership in the organization, believe they are valued for their potential as well as their contributions, [and] perceive that how they matter is not strictly tied to their positional powers," Helgesen says in this interview with John Baldoni. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (2/23) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Featured Content Sponsored Content from Great American Plant Company [Great American Plant Company Gears Up for Growth in 2023]( Consumer interest in plant-based eating is rising, and offering products that meet their expectations is key to succeeding in the crowded category. Great American Plant Company brought on CSO Armetha Pihlstrom, who discusses how the company empowers its customers to make their brands household names in the plant-based category. [Read the blog.]( [] Women and Innovation in the Workforce [] [Women's leadership in foodservice garners more attention]( In this podcast, Alicia Kelso, executive editor of Nation's Restaurant News, discusses the barriers to full gender parity in foodservice leadership and how companies can do the work to achieve it. The Women's Foodservice Forum, which has developed monthly programming to support women's ongoing development, told Kelso that "participation in their programs has 'exploded' in the past two years," Kelso referenced, "and that just underscores the demand," she said. Full Story: [Nation's Restaurant News (free registration)]( (2/27) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Stuck for a solution? Spend more time daydreaming]( [Stuck for a solution? Spend more time daydreaming]( (Anthony Harvie/Getty Images) Leaders -- much less their teams -- can't come up with imaginative and original solutions to the problems that vex them without taking time to create a habit of making time for imagination, writes Alaina Love, the CEO of Purpose Linked Consulting. "Start small, build momentum and then focus that collective power on something in your business that would benefit from a fresh approach," Love writes. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (2/27) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] WFF News [] [Choose to be empowered]( With research that shows women receive less support from managers than their male peers to help them advance, and women of color even less, it becomes even more critical to be your own best advocate and find additional sources of encouragement and advice. With just the right mix of autonomy and targeted support, self-empowerment will help you grow into your potential and become the kind of leader who lifts others up as well. [Read more](. [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( LEARN MORE ABOUT the WFF: [About the WFF]( | [Join the WFF]( | [WFF Programs]( [] [] To think and to be fully alive are the same. 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