How women restaurant execs are driving change

How women restaurant execs are driving change | C-Suite leadership is older, includes more women | 8 traits for effective leadership Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( December 20, 2023 [WFF Leadership SmartBrief]( Advancing and Empowering Women Leaders [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE]( ADVERTISEMENT A Leader's Edge [] [How women restaurant execs are driving change]( Women occupy 38% of C-suite roles in the restaurant industry, according to the National Restaurant Association, an improvement that still lags in an industry where women fill half of all jobs and 63% of entry-level positions. Women who have climbed the ladder to chief executive, including Checkers and Rally's CEO Frances Allen and L&L Hawaiian Barbeque CEO Elisia Flores, share experiences and insights into ways the industry and other women executives can continue to create opportunities for women to move up. Full Story: [Restaurant Business]( (12/14) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Idahoan® Speed-Scratch Potatoes Idahoan® potatoes offer delicious scratch-like quality and flavor with added convenience and operational benefits. Craveable and consistent, you can serve perfect potatoes with pride while saving time and money over fresh, frozen, and refrigerated alternatives. [Request your FREE sample!]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] Career Progression: Developing Leaders [] [C-Suite leadership is older, includes more women]( C-suite leaders are becoming older, reversing a previous trend, according to a study of Fortune 100 leaders since 1980. More outsiders are being hired directly into executive roles and executives are changing jobs more frequently, particularly early in their careers before settling down. The number of women and foreign-born individuals in the top executive ranks has also increased in recent decades. Full Story: [The Wall Street Journal]( (12/14) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [8 traits for effective leadership]( Self-improvement is the key to developing as a business leader, says Harvard Business School professor Linda Hill, who lists eight important traits entrepreneurs and other business owners should pursue. "No one can teach you how to lead; you need to be willing and able to learn how to lead," Hill says. Full Story: [Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model)]( (12/13) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Kowalski's Markets execs discuss evolution of grocery]( In this podcast with Progressive Grocer, Kowalski's Markets co-founder and owner Mary Anne Kowalski and CEO Kris Kowalski Christiansen discuss their hands-on, family-focused approach to leadership and how grocery shopping has changed over the last 40 years. "The sophistication of the consumer has changed dramatically," Kowalski said, noting that shoppers are "much more knowledgeable about food (and) where it comes from" -- realities that led the retailer to focus on creation of strong, high-quality private label offerings and specialty products. Full Story: [Progressive Grocer]( (12/6) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Read the latest from SmartBrief [] - [Q&A: How the grocery store is evolving to meet consumer health needs]( SmartBrief/Food (12/18) [] - [Value and AI among top 2024 food trends predictions]( SmartBrief/Food (12/14) [] - [Ice cream's resurgence through flavor, better-for-you innovation]( SmartBrief/Food (11/22) Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [The Communication Process: Skills to achieve desired outcomes]( - [Microsoft Excel: Unlocking the Power of Spreadsheets]( - [The Top 75 Leadership Quotes of 2023 - Part 1]( - [ChatGPT Newbie: Your Essential Handbook for Navigating ChatGPT]( - [The Visual You - Why Body Language Matters When You Speak]( [] Diversity and Inclusion [] [These women in hospitality had power not THE title]( The restaurant industry has 12 million female employees but few female CEOs. Peter Romeo profiles three women who were significant influences in their day: Alice Marriott, wife of J. Willard Marriott, founder of A&W Root Beer and Big Boy; Esther Snyder, wife of Harry Snyder and co-founder and bookkeeper of In-N-Out restaurants; and June Martino, corporate secretary to Ray Kroc of McDonald's. Full Story: [Restaurant Business]( (12/19) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Black Kitchen Initiative addresses disparities with grants]( Chicago eateries Strugglebeard Bakery, Dozzy's Grill and Cleo's Southern Cuisine are the latest recipients to receive $15,000 grant each from the Black Kitchen Initiative -- a program from Let's Empower Employment Initiative nonprofit in partnership with Heinz and Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice coalition -- aiming to address the disparities Black restaurateurs face. "It's hard for Black and Brown people to get traditional loans or any kind of help from these big banks. So, these organizations like the LEE Initiative -- when they partner with a brand as big as Heinz, it gives some kind of peace of mind that, OK, somebody's paying attention, somebody understands we need a little bit of help," said Cleo's owner Kristen Ashley Harper. Full Story: [Chicago Sun-Times (tiered subscription model)]( (12/11) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [US hospitality brands buckle under pressure, change DEI policies]( Yum! Brands and American Airlines are among six US companies that have modified their diversity, equity and inclusion policies in response to litigation threats from conservative groups America First Legal and American Civil Rights Project. "(Companies) will be ensuring that 30 years from now the corporate landscape of America looks like a plantation," said Morehouse College President David Thomas in response to the changes. Full Story: [Reuters]( (12/18) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [How generational diversity could deliver leadership balance]( Companies like Airbnb and Movenpick Hotels & Resorts are addressing the accelerated aging of corporate leadership by actively fostering age diversity through initiatives such as mentoring and strategy consultation with younger leaders, write Martin Reeves and Adam Job. The authors advocate for the implementation of separate decision-making groups and term limits on elder leaders to harmonize curiosity and experience, ultimately preparing companies to transfer the leadership baton. Full Story: [Fortune (tiered subscription model)]( (12/18) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Some return-to-work mandates may face legal fights]( [Some return-to-work mandates may face legal fights]( (Mladen Antonov/Getty Images) Employers with inflexible return-to-work mandates may face legal challenges from employees with physical and mental health disabilities, older employees and working parents, writes Gleb Tsipursky, CEO of Disaster Avoidance Experts. "A one-size-fits-all policy might not only lead to legal repercussions but also overlook the diverse needs of a modern workforce," Tsipursky writes. Full Story: [Quality Digest]( (12/19) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] - [Jamey Martin to lead DEI at Beam Suntory]( The Moodie Davitt Report (12/19) [] Women and Innovation in the Workforce [] [Fight end-of-year weariness by looking back and forward]( Pausing to take stock of your company's progress and resources and evaluating if you're prepared to face the next year's challenges, uncertainties and opportunities is an excellent way to deter end-of-year fatigue, writes Tara Rethore, CEO of Strategy for Real. Taking that review to a personal level -- listing out this year's accomplishments and strengths and next year's goals for yourself and with your peers -- can also bring new energy, write Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis, co-founders and CEOs of Amazing If. Full Story: [Chief Executive]( (12/14), [Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model)]( (12/14) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Benefits that help create a family-friendly work culture]( [Benefits that help create a family-friendly work culture]( (ljubaphoto/Getty Images) During the pandemic, 2.3 million mothers left the workforce due to an inability to obtain child care, and -- while the situation has improved -- it still is a problem today, Call Emmy CEO Arezou Zarafshan writes. "Intentionally fostering a mom-friendly workplace culture is a proactive step in supporting and retaining the invaluable contributions of working moms," asserts Zarafshan, who explains several ways companies can help working mothers. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (12/19) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] WFF News [] [Live in this moment, even as you prepare for what's next]( Setting specific goals for your career and developing plans to reach them increases engagement, focuses your efforts and enables you to measure progress. But all that planning for the future can sometimes make it feels as if you're always waiting for a more important moment and never experiencing this one to its fullest. You can even become blind to gifts and opportunities that arise unexpectedly. One antidote to a relentless future focus is living more consciously in the present. "Being present is the only way to live a truly rich and full life," writes former monk, New York Times best-selling author and host of the wildly successful podcast, On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Shetty will be a keynote speaker sponsored by Nestle Professional at the 2024 WFF Leadership Conference March 25-27 live in Dallas and live virtually. [Read more](. [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( LEARN MORE ABOUT the WFF: [About the WFF]( | [Join the WFF]( | [WFF Programs]( [] Editor's Note [] SmartBrief will not publish Dec. 25 through Jan. 1 In recognition of the holidays, SmartBrief will not publish Dec. 25 through Jan. 1. [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [] You look ridiculous if you dance. You look ridiculous if you don't dance. So you might as well dance. [Gertrude Stein](, writer, poet [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( SmartBrief publishes more than 200 free industry newsletters - [Browse our portfolio]( [Sign Up]( | [Update Profile]( | [Advertise with SmartBrief]( [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy policy]( CONTACT US: [FEEDBACK](mailto:wff@smartbrief.com) | [ADVERTISE](mailto:cwarne@smartbrief.com) [SmartBrief Future]( SmartBrief, a division of Future US LLC © Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036