Can you share your journey and experience as a woman in the hospitality industry? What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
I started out at St. Vincent College as a Bravo Chef and thought that was the best job anyone could ever have. Working with the students was the highlight of my job. Then, Parkhurst encouraged me to attend culinary school at the community college. Being a single mother of three and almost 40 years old, I wondered how that was going to happen. However, I had so much support from my Culinary Team at St. Vincent and my family. I worked 6 days and went to school all day on Mondays.
When I graduated from culinary school, Parkhurst moved me to Westinghouse in Catering, and then I was transferred to West Penn Power as an Executive Sous Chef. Eventually, the Executive Chef position opened up, and I was offered the Executive Chef position and proudly accepted it. Working with Parkhurst is the best job. You know you are never alone. Great people are always willing to give you answers or help find them for you. I have opened a few accounts for Parkhurst and have always had a great leadership team to get me through my journey. Here I am, 21-plus years later.
International Women’s Month is a time to celebrate achievements. Can you highlight a particular success or accomplishment during your time with Parkhurst that you are especially proud of? How did you navigate the path to success?
My highest accomplishment with Parkhurst of course, first and foremost, was becoming an Executive Chef. But when I think of accomplishments, it means being able to give back to others. I am a big supporter of veterans and volunteering at many veteran events. I do a lot through the Fisher House in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh as well as other areas. I go every year on Thanksgiving and prepare a full Thanksgiving feast for our veterans and families from all over the country who are staying in the Fisher House.
Another big day is Eat’n Park Hospitality Group’s Days of Smiles. Our Parkhurst leadership teams have joined me in preparing a lunch picnic on the patio for families. They are so appreciative of our volunteering and support in their time of need. So volunteering is a high accomplishment for me. Being able to help others with the support from CSC and management teams has been great. To me, an accomplishment is giving back with the support of a great team beside you.
In the context of gender diversity and inclusion, what steps do you believe businesses can take to create more supportive environments for women in leadership roles?
I believe from working with Parkhurst Dining, we are given our jobs based on skills and training, not because we are male or female. They supported me, trained me, and were always there. We as women are given opportunities and have a very successful and supportive environment to accomplish anything we want. From our DMs to our CSC teams, I believe women are treated equally and fairly. I have proudly worked for Parkhurst for 21-plus years. Best job ever!
As a woman in a leadership position, have you observed changes or shifts in the perception of women in business over the course of your career? How do you think the narrative around women in leadership roles has evolved?
As a woman in this field for many years now, I believe it has changed extensively. Years ago, you did not see many women chefs, let alone an Executive Chef running a restaurant, a country club, a corporate account café, or a big college cafeteria. Now we have more options to decide what roles we want to play. We could become Executive Chefs, District Managers, and even General Managers if we choose.
Parkhurst has an equal and diverse opportunity for both males and females in our industry today. The perception of women in leadership roles is amazing, and we can achieve whatever we choose. Yes, it is hard work and dedication, but it’s our choice to be who we are and how far we want our opportunities to go. Aim high and anything is possible. Don’t let anyone ever tell you because you are a woman, that job is not right for you. If you want it, believe in yourself and work for it.
