Bold Leadership in Foodservice

Returning to Dallas for its 2025 Leadership Conference, WFF is doubling down on bold growth. From February 24–26 at the Hilton Anatole, the event blends hands‑on skillbuilding with strategic networking. The theme, Bold & Limitless, signals a broader push to widen influence—while keeping development practical. The format stays accessible, with an in‑person gathering and a strong live virtual option. This isn’t just a calendar mark; it’s a deliberate move to accelerate careers and expand impact across the foodservice world.

Attendees will move through a carefully designed spectrum of sessions: skill‑building workshops, networking, wellness segments, and personal development talks. Keynotes will tackle resilience, defining personal value, and fearless approaches to professional challenges, while Communities of Interest bring people together around shared identities or roles. A practical payoff travels home: every attendee receives a complimentary year‑long WFF membership, unlocking WFF Connect—an online, members‑only community with ongoing learning and on‑demand conference content. The hybrid model means Dallas in person or online, expanding mentorship, sponsorship, and peer networks well beyond the final bow of the event.

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WFF traces its mission back more than three decades: accelerate the advancement of women in foodservice. The forum has built a durable blueprint—leadership development, strategic networking, and ongoing access to role models who propel careers forward. Over time, the programming has grown to welcome emerging leaders and executives alike, signaling that progress requires both personal growth and organizational support. The 2025 coverage highlights dedicated communities of interest and an emphasis on inclusive leadership across audiences—from Women of Color to male allies. At the center of the leadership bench is cross‑brand collaboration that keeps conversations practical and reachable.

In 2025, governance threads show up in the foreground: Kate Jaspon, Inspire Brands’ Chief Financial Officer, serves as Board Chair, anchoring the forum’s strategic direction. Therese Gearhart’s tenure has steered WFF through virtual expansion and more inclusive content, a path that continues into 2025 as the organization readies a leadership transition. Public statements emphasize equity, ongoing professional development, and a broad network that partners with major brands to drive change. The leadership narrative—executive chairmanship, year‑long programming, and continuous member benefits—reads as a deliberate structure built to sustain growth and real industry impact.

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The conference isn’t a one‑off. It’s designed as a scalable platform that blends gatherings with ongoing learning. Participants hear keynote voices on resilience and the value they bring to their roles, while Communities of Interest offer a path to connect around identity or responsibility. The approach mirrors a broader industry shift toward accessible leadership education that travels beyond the hotel ballroom and into daily practice at work.

One tangible benefit travels home with every attendee: a complimentary year‑long WFF membership, unlocking continuous learning through WFF Connect—an online community with ongoing resources and on‑demand conference content aligned to leadership tracks. The program’s hybrid registration keeps doors open for those who can’t travel, letting them tap into the same tracks and networking. That structure matters: it turns a multi‑day event into a sustained development cycle, letting mentors, sponsors, and peers stay in touch and push participants toward real leadership outcomes long after Dallas lights fade.

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Onstage, leadership voices underscored a shared commitment to mentorship, sponsorship, and practical growth. Therese Gearhart, WFF President & CEO, described the gathering as a catalyst for both women and male allies to build the skills and connections needed to advance their careers. Attendees describe the experience as life‑changing when attended in person or online, with access to self‑care strategies and networks that endure beyond the event. The momentum isn’t just hype; it’s a signal that the forum’s approach is landing in real workplaces.

Kate Jaspon, Inspire Brands’ CFO and 2025 WFF Board Chair, adds that she’s proud to contribute to an organization that blends thought leadership with practical resources to help companies navigate challenges to women’s advancement. NRN’s coverage of the 2025 leadership cycle and the board’s statements show a unified industry voice backing the forum’s mission: leadership is a shared project across brands and people, not just a single company’s initiative.

WFF sits inside a broader push in restaurants toward equity and structured leadership pipelines. Industry observers see cross‑brand collaboration and male ally engagement as essential to moving workplace culture forward. Beyond the flagship conference, one‑day workshops and city‑led programs are proliferating, creating a more accessible ladder for growth. This context helps explain why demand for WFF’s programming remains strong: leadership education that is scalable and repeatable sits at the center of many operators’ talent strategies.

Still, questions linger about measurable ROI and long‑term impact. Stakeholders are watching for post‑conference analyses, attendance trends in WFF Connect activities, and case studies showing how attendees translate learning into promotions and retention of women into leadership roles. The absence of granular metrics at press time means some inferences will rely on broader industry reporting and the conference’s known programming commitments. The message is clear: a great event is only as strong as the follow‑through that follows.