Women in Leadership Initiative of the Year
Tastes on the Fly
For this key award, Tastes on the Fly (recently acquired by Lagardère Travel Retail) stood out for its embodiment of inclusion and diversity that elevates women in leadership positions.
CEO Edie Ames sets the tone, with 50% of the executive leadership female, as are many line managers and administrative staff.
Ames created and fostered ‘the Culture of Accountability,’ which strongly emphasises personal ownership of desired results.
Under her leadership, the company initiated industry-leading benefits and wages (health/medical) programmes that address the needs of women in the workplace.
Senior Director of Talent Acquisition and Human Resources Grace Cha notes, “We started this movement before it was an actual movement… and we actually live it.”
She notes how the company’s culture cultivates an environment for women to thrive. Tastes on the Fly recently promoted two female leaders to Vice President Roles: Vice President of Business Operations and Vice President of Procurement.
Lagardère Travel Retail Executive Vice President Foodservice Global Mélanie Guilldou collected the Women in Leadership Award on behalf of Tastes on the Fly
Employees are encouraged to cross-train to advance their careers. In just one of many examples, Glenda Moreno joined Tastes on the Fly San Francisco as a dishwasher.
When she expressed interest in advancing her career, the company helped her cross-train in every position in the restaurant. Her interest, dedication, performance, and professionalism helped her become a Sous Chef and Team Leader at SF Giants Clubhouse at San Francisco International Airport.
Tastes on the Fly took to heart the realisation that diverse companies outperform their peers. Flexibility in the workshop also promotes the success of women leaders. Based on team input, manager hours were reduced from 50 hours to 40 hours/week. The administrative team has flexible work arrangements that have improved work/life balance. The company’s supporting environment lets women pursue their professional motherhood, volunteer, and community goals.
Summing up the ethos, Edie Ames says: “Being recognised for Women in Leadership is a group effort to promote opportunities, flexibility and training for our female team members.”
Front row: ACDBE Operations Partner, BOS Julival Rocha; CFO Luke Torres; Manager Accounting Aida Plivac; Controller Penny Newman; HR Senior Director Talent Acquisition Grace Cha; Senior DOO DEN J. Allen Adams; CEO Edie Ames; ADOO, SFO Edwin Sen; ADOO, BOS Antonio Alicea. Back row: Manager Finance John Proestakis; Co-Founder/Exec Chairman Michael Levine; VP Procurement Amanda Rosenbloom; ADOO DEN Jake Kesler; VP Business Operations Cassie Corless; Director Payroll & Benefits Eny Lai
Tastes On the Fly has become an industry leader in making senior female hires. But rather than focusing on gender diversity hiring, the company has changed its culture from within, turning itself into an employer where anyone with talent can thrive and will be hired.
FAB eZine
January 2024
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