Dallas, December 19, 2018 – For almost three decades, Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF,) has been the leadership development resource for women in the Food Industry, the nation’s second-largest private sector employer.
With women’s workplace progress stalled across industries despite their increased pursuit of higher education and skill building, WFF is expanding its mission to include both women’s leadership development and providing strategies to the food industry to eliminate barriers, accelerate advancement, and Lead The Way to gender equity with data-driven solutions.
To meet the goals of the expanded mission, WFF has broadened and deepened its executive leadership team with some of the industry’s most accomplished professionals.
“2019 will be a landmark year for WFF,” said Hattie Hill, WFF President & CEO. “We will launch the industry’s first Gender Equity Index (GEI,) measure industry improvement over time and enable our Partner companies to benchmark their progress. We will also celebrate our 30th Anniversary. This expanded mission calls for an expanded executive team, each member known for her ability to make a major impact. I believe this is the leadership team to do just that, and I welcome them to WFF.”
The New WFF Executive Leadership Team Members Are:
Libby Saylor Wright, Chief Operating Officer (COO)
At the helm of the WFF leadership team, Ms. Wright brings more than 20 years in marketing and innovation experience, and has a passion for engaging with and on behalf of women in business. Relocating to Dallas from Atlanta, Ms. Wright’s most recent role was at The Coca-Cola Company, where she spent more than 13 years in a variety of marketing and strategy roles. Her proven strength is in building business and brand strategies and tactics, leading cross-functional teams to improve business results, while anchoring decisions with an understanding of consumer culture and trends.
“I’m excited to work with the WFF team to bring our expanded mission to life as we increase our research capabilities, significantly expand our membership and launch new initiatives including a virtual learning platform,” said Libby Saylor Wright, WFF COO.
Krista Gibson, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
Known for shaping strategy, driving business results and leading digital transformation Ms. Gibson is the former CMO for Chili’s Grill & Bar, a global brand with +1600 locations in 31 countries where she led all aspects of brand building, innovation and sales growth strategies. Ms. Gibson brings more than 25 years of extensive experience in the restaurant industry and has strong North Texas ties.
“Strategy, insight and innovation are critical when approaching an undertaking as unprecedented and complex as reaching gender equity as an industry,” said Krista Gibson, WFF CMO. “We will be out in front helping our partner companies unlock the rewards of a gender-diverse workforce.”
Kathryn Lyons, Chief Growth Officer (CGO)
A native of Chicago with nearly 20 years in fundraising and corporate partnership development, Ms. Lyons most recently led a team and initiatives that helped secure more than $100 million in transformational funding to support strategic initiatives at Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization, as Managing Director of Corporate Partnerships.
“Driving business growth is a passion of mine, and WFF has a tremendous corporate roster of support,” said Kathryn Lyons, WFF CGO. “I look forward to continuing to build resources to support initiatives that expand WFF’s reach, impact and support to women in the food industry, ultimately helping to drive our mission forward.”
The WFF expanded senior leadership team provides the talents, focus and bandwidth to support the mission as the organization prepares to: launch expansion efforts, significantly expand membership, build a robust technology platform that supports greater research efforts, and develop an innovative virtual learning initiative that reaches food companies and food industry leaders around the world.
When women do better, we all do better.
