WOMEN AT
24
see more women in the C-suites
of franchise companies, it’s taken a
long time to get here—that much
more of a tribute to the women
who have made it.
The low percentages mentioned
above are not for want of desire
or ambition to serve. With the
preponderance of women seeking to advance to
the executive suite,
the past decade has
seen a proliferation of organizations dedicated to
helping women rise
to the top, joining
such well-recognized groups as the
Women’s Foodservice Forum and the
IFA’s Women Franchise Committee. These organizations have
grown for a reason: many women
are driven to move into leadership
positions and are looking for ways
to get there.
Mentoring—especially women
mentoring women—continues to
play an important role in the development of women franchise executives. In fact, Sheri Miksa (profile
on page 28) chaired the Mentor
Program committee at the Women’s
Foodservice Forum and created its
Executive Mentor Program.
One of the questions we asked
the 24 women was about their female role models. My mother was
my role model. While raising four
kids as a single mom, she continually told us: “No matter what, be
kind and be grateful,” because you
never know what’s going on in the
life of each person you meet.
I also remember great advice Julia Stewart—CEO at DineEquity
(profile on page 37) and one of my
role models in franchising—gave in
THE TOP
an interview for Franchise Update in
2005 about women in business. She
was the voice of reason for me—a
business owner with young children,
one of them suffering from serious
health problems at the time:
“One issue that still plagues women (as well as men) in business is
time management, or rather lack of
time for the competing demands
of career, family,
and self-care. Many
women buy into
the concept that
one must ‘balance’
time and priorities.
There is no such
thing as balance.
Balance for one
woman could mean
chaos for another. Balance is such a
personal thing. If you’re doing what
you want and are happy, then everyone around you will be happy.”
I’m a better person—and business leader—for having known
so many of these women personally or through their examples as
leaders. I also count many men as
role models as well. My husband
and business partner of almost 30
years, Gary Gardner, taught me
how to overcome my aversion to
risk years ago.
In closing, I would like to congratulate Barbara Moran-Goodrich,
president and CEO of Moran Family of Brands. Barbara (profile on
page 30) is the recipient of the
IFA’s Bonny LeVine Award, which
recognizes a female franchisor or
franchisee who has contributed to
the growth of franchising; to her
community through board positions, volunteer work, and activities that promote the professional
advancement of women; and as a
mentor to women in franchising. n
The past decade
has seen a
proliferation of
organizations
dedicated to
helping women
rise to the top.
6
Franchiseupdate ISS U E I, 2 0 1 4
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