OPERATIONS
WFF BRINGS GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE TO WOMEN FOODSERVICE PROFESSIONALS
THE 35TH ANNUAL WOMEN’S FOODSERVICE FORUM’S (WFF) LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE GAVE WOMEN FROM ALL PARTS OF THE FOODSERVICE INDUSTRY AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT AND GROW THEIR CAREER PATHS.
Aramark employees Isabella Pagana and Priscilla Rios both attended this year's Women’s Foodservice Forum’s Leadership Conference.
L ast month, thousands of wom- en in the foodservice industry traveled to Dallas for the Wom- en’s Foodservice Forum’s (WFF) Leadership Conference. Now in its 35th year, the confer- ence provides women with resources, best-practices and networking oppor- tunities to advance their careers. That opportunity to connect and grow is important for Isabella Pagana who currently serves as diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) program manager for Aramark. “My role is about serving people and making sure we take care of our peo- ple,” says Pagana. “It is so important that we [give our employees] the op- portunity to have this professional de- velopment experience to connect with their colleagues and spend dedicated time focusing on their development.” BY BENITA GINGERELLA
For Pagana, DEI is about being in- tentional about finding ways to provide career growth opportunities to all Ar- amark employees, regardless of their background. “We are intentionally focused on building bridges with partners that are going to lead to advancing peoples’ ca- reer development and serving not only just underrepresented groups, but also serving everyone,” she notes. Corporate Marketing Director at Aramark Canada Priscilla Rios agrees, and believes that at its core, DEI is how you treat others. “When it comes to inclusion, in my personal opinion, it comes down to treating others with respect and integ- rity, no matter what their background is, then you are really being inclusive of everyone,” she says. “Just by treating others with respect, you are doing your job well.” This year’s WFF conference is special for Rios. She is one of several
women being honored as a 2024 WFF Change Maker. “I'm super happy with the Change Maker nomination,” she says. “It is both an honor and a responsibility. And that also tells me that I'm on track to be the best version of myself.” This is also the first year that Rios has been able to attend WFF in person af- ter attending once virtually during the pandemic. Both Rios and Pagana, are quick to stress the importance of connections and mentorship and how much they have played a role in both of their ca- reers. In Rios’ case, for example, VP of Strategic Partnerships at Aramark Canada Louise Hudson has provided essential support as Rios has advanced through her career. “Mentorship, whether it is informal mentorship or formal mentorship, I think is really, really important to fur- ther develop and grow in your career,” she says.
FSD QUARTERLY
Q2 2024
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PHOTO COURTESY OF BENITA GINGERELLA
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