Joni Thomas Doolin Remarks

Women’s Foodservice Forum Conference April 2005

Trailblaze Award Acceptance Speech

When Diana Wynne called to tell me that I was the recipient of this year’s Trailblazer Award, I was incredulous and humbled.

I am still incredulous and humbled, particularly in the presence of this record breaking crowd of our industry’s brightest and best. But I’ve had some time to digest this honor, and to ponder the significance of it to me, to my team at People Report, and to all of us.

The Trailblazer Award is not only an affirmation of our work, but also an overwhelming opportunity and a promise from this organization comprised of trailblazers, the Women’s Foodservice Forum.

Sixteen years ago, I sat in a room with eighty women and a few token men at the first WFF conference. I was captivated by the power of those people and their bold vision of what the foodservice industry could become if it embraced the potential of the entire labor pool. Edna Morris, Julia Stewart, Pat Harris, Alice Elliot and many others were just beginning to emerge as the beacons that we would all follow in the months and years ahead.

Sitting on a panel that day, discussing solutions, I remember making a somewhat cynical comment, that at some point we would simply run out of white men for all the big jobs, and things would take care of themselves. I was naïve, and I was wrong to view women’s progress as a “them or us” proposition.

Ironically, another comment made later that afternoon still rings in my ears. A man in the back of the room said, “Thank all of you for making it okay for me to go to my son’s soccer game. I have never had the courage to leave work early enough to see him play; now I will. You are making it okay.”

And for me the light bulb went on: A workplace that is truly inclusive, that truly values human capital, is a workplace that must be committed to valuing all employees regardless of age, gender, race, or ethnicity or partner preference. Barriers of education, language and disability are actually doors of opportunity for businesses seeking to employ and engage the heads, hands and hearts of their workers.

What better industry than hospitality to elevate diversity to a business strategy that rocks the worlds of employees, guests, and ultimately, shareholders. Creating a better workplace in what was then considered the‘turn em and burn em’ foodservice industry became a mission I wanted to be part of, and to serve.

Five years later, I sat in another WFF conference with many more attendees, and was star struck by the presentation of the first Trailblazer award to Jackie Trujillo, a woman and an executive so caring, competent and confident that she made you feel as though she could pull you through the windows now opening for women and minorities. Her inspiration and the shining example of workplace excellence at Harman Management strengthened my conviction that the foodservice industry could be an employer of true equal opportunity.

That same year, 1995, People Report became a reality, fueled by the commitment, risk-taking and investment of five companies and a handful of human resource executives that wanted to make a difference. Today, 90 companies participate in this powerful consortium that continues to focus on our mission of balancing people and profits.

This 10-year journey has been exhilarating and fulfilling, but it has not always been easy. On the days when the obstacles were daunting, and my spirits were low, I was blessed with a tapestry of family, friends and colleagues who encouraged, motivated, challenged and inspired me once more.

I am deeply grateful to WFF for this award, but it must be shared with my incredible People Report team, my world class Advisory Board, my wonderful family, including my beautiful sister and our three beautiful daughters, who are here this evening, and so many others who have supported and encouraged my work.

Most of all, I share this with the truest and most constant wind beneath my wings, my husband Wally, who is not only an amazing advisor, partner and soul mate, but in 1996, was the first member of our family honored by WFF. Recognized for his commitment to creating seats at the table for talent, regardless of gender or race, he continues to set an example for me and for us all.

John F. Kennedy once said, “to whom much is given, much is required.” WFF has given so much to me, my colleagues at People Report, and to everyone in this room. We have received an affirmation of the importance of our work, the importance of continuing to blaze trails for those who follow and the importance of creating an industry of true inclusion and opportunity.

I embrace the obvious requirement, as I know will each one of you, to continue on this journey toward making diversity and inclusion the hallmarks of our industry.

I thank the Women’s Foodservice Forum from the bottom of my heart.