March is Women’s History Month in the U.S. and the U.K., and Aramark employees across the company took time to shine a light on the exceptional work women do for the company and society. A series of events and highlights designed to engage and inspire were led by Aramark’s employee resource group (ERG) EMPOWER.
EMPOWER works year-round to advance women leaders throughout the company while advocating for women in the workplace and beyond.
Launched in 2011, EMPOWER now has more than 2,000 members globally.
“Women comprise about 57% of our U.S. workforce, and there is an increasing number of women in leadership roles,” said Lauren Harrington, Aramark Senior Vice President and General Counsel and Executive Sponsor of EMPOWER, in a message marking International Women’s Day March 8. “We ensure women's success also extends to how we do business, including our growing spend with businesses owned and operated by women, minorities, and other diverse populations.”
EMPOWER HER Events
Under this year’s Women’s History Month theme of "EMPOWER HER," the ERG coordinated events throughout March that embodied the promise to recognize and harness the strength, talent, and boundless potential of women across all cultures and spheres within Aramark.
Virtual Food Drive
EMPOWER joined with the company’s SALUTE and NOURISH ERGs and Aramark Community Relations to organize a virtual food drive March 1 – 21. Almost 2,470 pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other food items were donated to food banks in Gaithersburg, Dallas, Chicago, and Philadelphia to be distributed to people in need in those communities.
Mark This! Podcast: EMPOWER
To commemorate Women’s History Month, Brandi Heatherly, Vice President, Performance Excellence, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, and May Limbach, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Avendra, sat down to talk about their careers and their leadership roles with EMPOWER. Listen to the podcast.
Navigating Career Transitions
A virtual panel discussion was held March 20 focused on navigating career changes and transitioning from military to civilian careers.
The keynote message was delivered by Lisa Rosser, CEO and Founder, The Value of a Veteran, followed by a panel discussion including the following Aramark leaders:
- Angelique Kelly-Lara, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Diversity;
- Chaka Dakers, Safety and Risk Director, Hospitality Enablement;
- Jocelyn Fuller, Regional Vice President, Aramark Healthcare+; and
- Moderator Krystal Sargent, Manager of Strategic Solutions, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality.
Participants learned how the military prepared panelists and speakers for the transition, what lessons were transferable, and how adaptability can help advance one’s career.
Chef Spotlight
Throughout Women’s History Month, several Aramark chefs and their recipes were featured at participating client locations as part of the Chef Spotlight program, which celebrates Aramark’s diverse culinary talent. Featured chefs and recipes included:
- Chef Shameka Akinleye’s Suya Red Snapper, a suya spiced red snapper served with coconut grits and spicy tomato relish;
- Chef Mayra Melka-Baldwin’s Veracruz Snapper Plate, a pan seared red snapper filet with veracruz sauce, served with rice and fresh green beans;
- Chef Kaitlin Tapia-Rosales’ Beef Birria Sope, seasoned braised beef, refried beans, salsa verde, cabbage, radishes, and lime crema layered on a fried sope;
- Chef Erin Wishon’s Citrus Pomegranate Pork Belly Taco Plate, beer braised pork belly tacos topped with red pepper jam and orange pomegranate slaw; and
- Chef Jessica Heitzman’s Spicy Shrimp Volcano Bowl, spicy shrimp salad with kimchi, jalapeno, and scallions on sushi rice topped with spicy mayo, sweet chili sauce, and nori.
Women’s Foodservice Forum
About 100 Aramark employees attended the annual, industry-wide Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) Leadership Conference in Dallas or joined virtually March 25-27 (photo at top).
The WFF conference is designed to help women grow professionally and personally in the foodservice and hospitality fields.
This year, EMPOWER hosted a pre-conference luncheon on March 25th for Aramark attendees with the goal of facilitating cross-functional networking opportunities and getting attendees excited for the three-day conference.
Giving Back to the Community
During the pre-conference event, attendees also partnered with about a dozen members of Aramark’s Dallas-Fort Worth STAR team on a community service project, assembling 100 career readiness kits to benefit women participating in Buckner's Family Pathways, Family Hope Center, and NextStep programs.
Kits included personal care products and note pads. The Aramark team also wrote encouraging messages to include in each kit.
WFF Change Makers Award
One of the highlights of the WFF Leadership Conference each year is the presentation of the Change Maker Awards.
Priscilla Rios, Corporate Marketing Director, Aramark Canada, was one of fewer than 50 people to be recognized as one of this year’s Change Makers.
The WFF Change Makers program helps build a strong pipeline of women leaders eager to propel their personal career advancement and champion the professional growth of others in the foodservice industry.
More Awards and Recognition
2024 Women of Live: Nicole Hohnhorst
Aramark Sports + Entertainment General Manager Nicole Hohnhorst was recognized by Venues Now with a “2024 Women of Live” award.
“In my district alone, women make up 60% of the GMs and AGMs,” said Hohnhorst in the March 11 feature. “I think it continues to be shown that the more women are involved in the industry, the better.” Read the article at Venues Now.
EMPOWER Awards
Each year EMPOWER holds an awards ceremony to honor the dedication and efforts of ERG members and leaders. Winners were announced April 5th in the following categories:
- Kaitlin Buck - Workplace Impact Award, which acknowledges an EMPOWER member who has made a lasting impact on the organization by initiating powerful programs, fostering the growth of others, and introducing innovative solutions to enhance support for Aramark's women;
- Krizia Medina - Workforce Ally Award, which recognizes allies who have contributed significantly to creating a more welcoming, optimistic, diverse, and inclusive workplace;
- Jessica MacKool - Marketplace Service Award. This award honors an EMPOWER member who serves as a community beacon, demonstrating unwavering commitment, integrity, and commendable service to their local community, as well as to Aramark's suppliers, colleagues, and clients;
- Canada - HUB of the Year Award. This award celebrates a local ERG HUB that has most effectively embodied the EMPOWER mission in the areas of influence, impacting the workplace, workforce, and the markets they serve;
- Krystal Sargent - EMPOWER Leadership Award, which salutes an individual who has delivered exceptional results in empowering others through leadership development, mentoring, networking, community outreach, and embodying the essence of EMPOWER; and
- Melissa Merkel – EMPOWER Excellence Award. This award honors an individual who has demonstrated unparalleled dedication and achievement in professional development, inspiration, and leadership for women and allies across the organization.
More About Aramark ERGs
Through a growing network of ERGs, Aramark is giving voice to the diverse communities that make up its workforce and helping to create a more inclusive workplace.
Find out more about the Aramark ERGs and their impact.
