WFF 7
th Annual Leadership Luncheon at the NRA Show Featured Hala Moddelmog as Keynoter
Sodexo Recognized for Supporting and Advancing Women
Leaders
WFF Educational Session Covers Success Strategies for
Elevating Women to the C-Suite
More than 700 industry representatives were in attendance at the WFF Annual
Leadership Luncheon during the 2008 NRA Show. Held Monday, May 19th at the McCormick Place
Convention Center, the Luncheon featured keynoter Hala Moddelmog, President and CEO of Susan G.
Komen for the Cure.
Linda Pharr, 2008-2009 WFF Chair and Chief Foodservice Relations Officer, Batrus
Hollweg International; Hala Moddelmog, President and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure; Mary
Bentley, President, WFF
During her presentation, Hala, former President of Church’s Chicken, shared how she
is driving corporate change using skills learned in Foodservice to retool and lead a global
movement to find the cures for breast cancer. Hala demonstrated how experiences gained in the
quick-service food industry, including involvement with a highly diverse workforce and the need to
pinpoint change and effect it quickly, have benefited Susan G. Komen for the Cure in the fight to
end breast cancer forever. Hala referenced the WFF 10 Core Competencies as those skills necessary
to transcend any industry in order to be successful.
The prestigious Jackie B. Trujillo SOAR Award was presented during the luncheon to
Sodexo in recognition for supporting and advancing women leaders. Sponsored by Yum! Brands,
Inc. the award honors companies with demonstrable corporate initiatives that result in a strong
track record of attracting, developing, retaining and promoting women to the highest levels of the
organization.
NRA attendees also had the opportunity to take part in a free educational seminar presented on Sunday, during the show. WFF President Mary Bentley lead a panel discussion with WFF Board Secretary, Maureen Hurley, VP and CAO, Rich Products and Sugi Randall Senior VP, HR & Training, Rock Bottom Restaurants who shared their thoughts on The Road to the C-Suite: Success Strategies for Women in Foodservice. Key points included discussions on the development of business knowledge, taking on risky assignments to further career advancement and the value of networks to support and advance careers.