WOMEN'S FOODSERVICE FORUM ANNOUNCES 2024 LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Professional development, inspiring role models and intentional networking mark 35 years of the organization's non-profit work of advancing women leaders.

DALLAS, Jan. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Women's Foodservice Forum (WFF), the premier non-profit organization for professional development for women building careers in the foodservice industry and a partner to companies accelerating women's advancement, will hold its 2024 Leadership Conference March 25-27 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel Dallas. This event draws talented and ambitious leaders ready to take their careers to the next level.

This year marks the 35^th anniversary of WFF's founding and celebrates the organization's impact in Changing the Face of Leadership® in the foodservice industry. The conference theme of LIMITLESS Together reflects the powerful synergy between WFF, the industry and women leaders in driving that change. Participants experience targeted professional development, influential networking opportunities, access to inspiring role models and a range of wellness and personal development sessions to help them thrive professionally and personally.

"The WFF Leadership Conference is a wonderful opportunity for women, as well as men, in the foodservice industry to learn and grow professionally and personally," said Sarah King, WFF Board Chair and Chief People & Diversity Officer, Darden Restaurants. WFF has been a supportive community for me and many other women looking to advance in their careers. The organization taps into research on obstacles to women's advancement, helps women build professional competencies and the skills to surmount those obstacles, and engages industry executives in developing a road map to advance women leaders. I am honored to chair the board of this impactful organization during this milestone year."

WFF President & CEO, Therese Gearhart, adds that "WFF also provides a powerful community that supports women leaders throughout the year with live virtual and in-person events, expert speakers and industry role models, and self-paced learning modules to address specific areas of interest and development."

"In person or virtually, Conference is a capstone experience that attendees often describe as 'life changing,'" Gearhart notes. "Learning, growth, and connection doesn't end with the last keynote speaker or educational session. Attendees receive a complimentary WFF membership with year-long access to our members-only portal, WFF Connect, a robust schedule of learning opportunities, a community of women leaders, and even the conference sessions in their leadership track, and those a level above, on demand."

Keynote 2024 conference speakers include:

• Luvvie Ajayi Jones is a four-time New York Times best-selling author including the critically acclaimed Rising Troublemaker and Professional Troublemaker. She is an entrepreneur, podcaster, storyteller and speaker whose influential digital presence and thought leadership on culture, business and leadership has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, Fast Company, ELLE, Essence and on National Public Radio (NPR). Her TED talk, Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable has more than eight million views. Session sponsored by PepsiCo.
  
  
• Katty Kay is an award-winning BBC journalist who has lived and worked in the Middle East, South Africa, Japan, Europe and the U.S. and brings a global perspective to her reporting on world affairs, her own podcast series, a weekly column, and guest spots on Morning Joe on MSNBC. She is co-author of four New York Times best-selling books on self-assurance in women and girls including the #1 rated The Confidence Code that has inspired women and girls to see confidence as key to success – and a personal choice. Session sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company.
  
  
• Cassandra Worthy is the dynamic founder and CEO of Change Enthusiasm Global, a boutique consulting firm with clients across the Fortune 500. She brings the pragmatic mindset of her background as a chemical engineer, insights from 15 years as a leader in the consumer package goods industry, and infectious energy to her life-changing consulting and workshops. Her goal is helping individuals and organizations embrace change and use it to drive unexpected growth and exceptional performance. Session sponsored by Sysco Corporation.
  
  
• Jay Shetty spent several transformative years as a Hindu monk before sharing his insights about a purpose-driven life with millions of people around the world. His book Think Like a Monk soared to the top of the New York Times and UK Sunday Times best-seller lists and was ranked by Apple Books as the Best Audio Book of the Year. His podcast, On Purpose with Jay Shetty, receives more than 35 million monthly downloads and his videos have been viewed more than 10 billion times across social media. Shetty strives to make ancient wisdom relatable, practical and accessible to all. Session sponsored by Nestlé Professional.

The WFF Leadership Conference is the place where emerging female leaders to executives come together to connect, grow, and get inspired. To learn more and register for the conference, please visit our website: wff.org. 

ABOUT WOMEN'S FOODSERVICE FORUM: Women's Foodservice Forum (WFF) is the Food Industry's thought leader on gender equity. WFF provides the research, insights and best practice solutions that enable food companies to address the pressing need for talent, drive better consumer insights and increase business performance by realizing the full potential of women leaders. Working since 1989 to provide the tools and resources to help women build leadership competencies that enhance career advancement, WFF also partners with the Food Industry to create work environments where women thrive, and organizations reap the rewards of a gender-diverse workforce. For more information, visit our website: wff.org.

SOURCE Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF)