Sodexo Executive Earns Recognition for Promoting Diversity from the C-Suite Down in STEMconnector's 100 Diverse Corporate Leaders in STEM

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sodexo, Inc., a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations, and its Chief Human Resources Office, Gerri Mason-Hall, have been recognized by STEMconnector®, the one-stop for "who is doing what" in STEM education and careers, in the new 100 Diverse Corporate Leaders in STEM publication.

The book, which was published today, features diverse corporate executives and six "rising stars" who share their insights on business and innovation through the lens of a diversity and STEM.  Sodexo's commitment to developing the next generation of STEM leaders – both women and men, under Mason-Hall's leadership, is profiled in the new publication. It's a commitment aimed at helping to prepare young leaders entering the workforce for success.

"With the global marketplace expanding at unprecedented rates and demographic shifts playing an increasing role in the American economy, it is clear that business leaders, industry experts, elected officials and academics must offer a more comprehensive approach to preparing future leaders to successfully enter the workforce," shared Gerri Mason-Hall, senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Sodexo.

As the world's 18th largest employer and a company that delivers more than 100 types of services – with operations spanning industry sectors such as healthcare, education, government, aviation, and senior living, Sodexo has the opportunity to lead and support public-private partnership efforts focused on developing employability skills, improving digital fluency and creating a framework for acquiring hard skills that translate to jobs and impact our nation's critical STEM careers imperative.

"There has never been a more important time to tie Diversity and STEM. Key jobs are in STEM careers with 71% of job skills. The population of America and the world is diverse," said Edie Fraser, Chief Executive Officer of STEMconnector®. "Minority youth are already the majority and within two decades the majority of America will be diverse. As we recognize these outstanding 100 Diverse Corporate Leaders in STEM, we salute them as role models for their companies and communities.  We recognize that women leaders are advancing and that so many white males are advocates and champions of diversity in STEM" she followed.

100 Diverse Corporate Leaders in STEM is a STEMconnector® publication sponsored by UST Global, Silicon Valley Education Foundation, and Sodexo with supporting funding from Apollo Education Group, Cisco, Northwestern Mutual, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Walmart. STEMconnector® partnered with The Executive Leadership Council, Diversity Woman and Bloomberg's BusinessWeek.

The selection process included thorough research and outreach to over 100 CEOs for nominations. Information for each nominee was collected in three areas: 1) the executive's background and career; 2) the company's STEM position within its industry; and 3) the nominee's perspective on a variety of issues in the STEM space, including mentoring and diversity.

100 Diverse Corporate Leaders in STEM is the third iteration of STEMconnector®'s leadership publication series. It follows 100 CEO Leaders in STEM, released in 2013, and 100 Women Leaders in STEM, released in 2012.The publication's objective is to salute and celebrate an active group of diverse senior executives that have set an example and made a difference by taking the lead on addressing the crucial challenge of promoting greater diversity in the STEM industries.

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About STEMconnector®
STEMconnector® is a consortium of over 110 companies, associations, academic institutions and government entities concerned with STEM education and the future of human capital. With several products and services, STEMconnector® is both a resource and a service, designed to link "all things STEM." STEMconnector's® network includes organizations at the global, national, state and local levels. STEMconnector® focuses on the entire STEM workforce pipeline with a particular emphasis on diversity and women. Our work spans the entire pipeline (Kindergarten to Jobs) and how STEM education experiences translate into careers. For information on how to become a sponsor, contact: [email protected] Million Women Mentors (MWM) is an important movement of STEMconnector® and within an 8-month timeframe 171,000 pledges to mentor have been made an 56 partners representing 26 million girls and young women are signed on.

About 100 Leaders in STEM Series
At STEMconnector®, we believe it is important to recognize and showcase thought leaders making a significant contribution to STEM education and careers. This series brings together a collection of leaders taking an active role as STEM ambassadors within their companies and industries. The goal of this series is to build a collective voice calling for strong STEM leadership. Every publication is complemented with a year of promotion and strategic events that will bring together the vision of one, collective voice.

About Sodexo
Founded in 1966 by Pierre Bellon, Sodexo is the global leader in services that improve Quality of Life, an essential factor in individual and organizational performance. Operating in 80 countries, Sodexo serves 75 million consumers each day through its unique combination of On-site Services, Benefits and Rewards Services and Personal and Home Services. Through its more than 100 services, Sodexo provides clients an integrated offering developed over more than 45 years of experience: from reception, safety, maintenance and cleaning, to foodservices and facilities and equipment management; from Meal Pass, Gift Pass and Mobility Pass benefits for employees to in-home assistance and concierge services. Sodexo's success and performance are founded on its independence, its sustainable business model and its ability to continuously develop and engage its 428,000 employees throughout the world.

Sodexo in North America
Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), leading Quality of Life services company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On-site Services in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, as well as Benefits and Rewards Services and Personal and Home Services. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $22 million in grants to end childhood hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at blogs.sodexousa.com.

SOURCE Sodexo, Inc.