These awards recognize individuals who have made a significant, positive impact on the organization and the industry as a whole, the WFF said in revealing the laureates. The winners will be formally presented during the Emerging Leader Awards Dinner on Tuesday, April 17, at the WFF Annual Leadership Development Conference in Orlando, FL.
"We congratulate the outstanding commitment and dedication these women have demonstrated to the WFF and to the foodservice and hospitality industries," said Mary Bentley, president. "We celebrate their exceptional leadership and honor their contributions and continued support of Elevating Women Leaders.
{mosimage}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."
The WFF pointed that as co-founder and former president/ceo of Anton Airfood, Inc., 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. The WFF said 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.
{mosimage}EMERGING LEADER AWARD Sponsored by Ecolab, the Emerging Leader Award is presented 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. "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."
McKee helped to raise the bar in franchising for Dunkin' Donuts, which led Entrepreneur.com to name Dunkin' Donuts the No. 2 franchise in the 2007 Franchise 500, as well No. 1 in its category and No. 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."
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, and others.
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