WOMEN'S FOODSERVICE FORUM (WFF) HONORS
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AND ACHIEVEMENT IN FOODSERVICE
Winners Will Be Announced At
2007 WFF Annual Leadership Development Conference
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (March 16, 2007) - Women's Foodservice Forum (WFF) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2007 Trailblazer Award and Emerging Leader Award. These awards recognize individuals who have made a significant, positive impact on the organization and the industry as a whole. The winners will be formally announced during the Emerging Leader Awards Dinner on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at the WFF Annual Leadership Development Conference in Orlando, Florida.
"We congratulate the outstanding commitment and dedication these women have demonstrated to the WFF and to the foodservice and hospitality industries," said Mary Bentley, WFF President. “We celebrate their exceptional leadership and honor their contributions and continued support of Elevating Women Leaders."
Trailblazer Award
Pat Anton, president of the Anton Family Foundation and former WFF chair, will
receive the 2007 WFF Trailblazer Award. Sponsored by General Mills, the Trailblazer Award is a
prestigious and high profile accolade for individuals who are dedicated to improving the industry
through their support of gender diversity, creating new pathways for women in their company, and
implementing them at all levels of their organization.
"General Mills is proud to sponsor the prestigious Trailblazer Award and to join the WFF and the
industry in recognizing this year's recipient, Pat Anton," said John Machuzick, president, General
Mills Foodservice. "Pat has made a lasting positive impact on gender diversity and career
advancement for women both as a role model and through her inspiration to others. We congratulate
Pat for her many achievements and for receiving this great honor."
As Co-Founder and former President/CEO of Anton Airfood, Inc. (AAI), promoting gender and
minority diversity has been a key foundation of Anton Airfood's hiring, training and management
practices from the company's earliest days. Women consistently make up approximately 50% of the
manager/supervisor positions at Anton Airfood. In the spring of 2005, 106 women out of a
total 223 were serving in those capacities. Ms. Anton has also mentored countless young women
at her company and the industry and has been a major benefactor of such high-impact projects as the
Hospitality Business Alliance, an educational partnership with the National Restaurant
Association.
Emerging Leader Award
Lynette McKee, vice president of franchising and new business development, Dunkin'
Brands Inc, will receive the highly esteemed WFF Emerging Leader Award. This honor, which is
sponsored by Ecolab, is awarded each year to a woman executive in the foodservice industry who
shows exceptional leadership qualities, both within her company and the industry, and whose
professional growth and achievements are recognized through career advancement.
"Ecolab is proud to sponsor the WFF's Emerging Leader Award, which emphasizes the importance of the continued growth and development of talented women leaders within the foodservice and hospitality industries," said Doug Baker, chairman of the board, president and CEO, Ecolab Inc. “Ecolab recognizes the great commitment and dedication Lynette has demonstrated over the years and her support of elevating women leaders both through her work with the WFF and within her own organization. We congratulate Lynette on her achievements and look forward to her continued contributions to the foodservice industry."
Ms. McKee helped to raise the bar in franchising for Dunkin' Donuts, which led Entrepreneur.com to name Dunkin' Donuts the #2 franchise in the 2007 Franchise 500, as well #1 in its category and #3 in the fastest-growing franchises. McKee has also given back to the many individuals in her field by sharing her experiences through publishing leadership focused papers such as "Managing the Franchisee Relationship During a Corporate Shift"
Ms. McKee has also served on a variety of committees and boards to maintain her involvement and growth within the industry including the International Franchise Association, Women's Foodservice Forum, Multicultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance and National Minority Franchise Initiative, among many others.
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With a membership of more than 3,000 professionals from all segments of the foodservice industry, Women's Foodservice Forum has made important differences in the personal and professional lives of individual members and the foodservice industry at large. Through highly beneficial sessions at the Annual Leadership Development Conference, Regional Connects events, Executive Women's Summit, signature mentoring programs and facilitated teleforums, WFF provides members with the tools they need to make a positive difference in their careers.
For more information about Women's Foodservice Forum, please visit the website www.womensfoodserviceforum.com.