Trailblazers: Women of the Future

Our series has put the spotlight on some incredible women leaders that are making a difference in their industries. We have seen how they navigated a global pandemic and implemented new technologies to transform their companies. These women have forged their own paths and made the most of their opportunities, though what will be waiting in the future?

The ability for all women to achieve upward mobility in the workplace has improved over the years. Companies have instituted internal programs to develop talent and have made public commitments to diversify positions like their executive suit and board of directors. These initiatives have opened new doors and led to some of the leaders we have covered to achieve their goals. Despite the benefits of such programs, there is still action that needs to take place. The value of diversity extends beyond just women and to minorities as well. Every year new executive positions for diversity are created and new companies make pledges to reach parity.

There is still a large disparity between the number of women in entry-level or managerial roles and those in corporate roles as well. Particularly in the restaurant industry, they make up a majority of workers and do not see ample representation higher up. It is important for companies to develop their own talent and there are a bevy of future female leaders waiting to advance with new opportunities. Many of the leaders we have discussed in this series worked their way up from store level positions to important executive roles.

The initiatives put forth by companies to fix this can bring about change, yet they are not the only way for female leaders to get an opportunity. At the beginning of this series, we discussed the multiple groups and membership programs available in a variety of industries. These collaborative efforts have helped women make their ideas a reality and has led to some of the advancements that we discussed in retail and restaurants. There has also been an explosion of women owned brands in recent years that have used social media marketing to position themselves as unique in their field.

There are more options for women to advance than ever before. Many companies have realized the value of diversified leaders and new opportunities are opening. There are still improvements to be made in talent evaluation and hiring process and it should change sooner than later. Companies that ignore their internal talent are limiting themselves as evidenced by the executives we have covered in this series. The future for women in retail and foodservice is promising and the two industries are better for it.