How one organization is creating community and instilling confidence in female leaders

This year, for the annual Women’s Foodservice Forum Conference, our editors Alicia Kelso, Joanna Fantozzi, and Leigh Anne Zinsmeister traveled out to the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas to meet with the 3,000 attendees at the conference honoring women in the restaurant industry. On the 35th anniversary of the conference, change held a new meaning for conference leaders.

There were keynotes from Luvvie Ajayi Jones, Katty Kay, Cassandra Worthy, and Kendra Scott, as well as networking activities.

At the conference, there were sessions on inclusion, overcoming imposter syndrome, personal branding, boundary setting, communication, and sessions for communities of interest like women of color, LGBTQ, single/working parents.

Ahead, you’ll hear from one of the editors from NRN who attended the conference, Joanna Fantozzi, about her impression of attending for the first time as well as hear what her thoughts are on moving the needle forward for DEI and gender parity at a time when companies are rolling them back or changing language.