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Conversations That Matter: Seeing the Unseen
August 16, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Conversations That Matter: Seeing the Unseen
Presented by the SHFM Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Council
Join us for Conversations that Matter: Seeing the Unseen, as we discuss strategies for creating an inclusive workplace for those living with unseen diagnoses, disabilities, or conditions. During this event, we will illuminate the triumphs and struggles faced by individuals who manage invisible challenges and some actionable ways to ensure these team members thrive in the workplace.
When
Wednesday, August 16
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET
Where
VIRTUAL
Zoom
Registration
FREE!
Presenters
Kaya Gross (Moderator)
Strategic Development Director - Corporate Lodging
FOH
Boasting over 15 years in the foodservice and hospitality industry, Kaya Gross's experience includes generating multimillion-dollar sales revenue, onboarding large key accounts and new product development. An expert in the cultivation and maintenance of key relationships and employee satisfaction, Kaya is committed to fostering a positive work-life balance and supportive culture for her team. In 2020, she founded The Velvet Hammer, a group focused on mentoring people in business, from coaching to training.
Passionate, tenacious, and a strong believer that breaking barriers is possible for all, Kaya has teamed up with people from all areas in the foodservice and hospitality industry to help and encourage them that, if they want it, anything is possible.
Simone Mayer
Founder, CEO and Chief Creative Officer
FOH
Simone Mayer is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of FOH®. She comes from an extraordinary and diverse background. As a woman in a predominantly male-led industry and proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, she advocates for diversity across all foodservice and hospitality sectors. Known for her leadership abilities and entrepreneurial spirit, Simone has worked in product development for several years and put that experience to practice when she and her partner, Mayda Perez, launched real.life.basic®, a home and kitchen accessory retail business. The store’s success then prompted them to provide a more global solution for the industry, which led her to co-found FOH® with Mayda.
Simone believes that business and family are interchangeable. Building lasting, service-driven relationships with customers and cultivating a diverse and inclusive company culture are the key drivers of success.
Joseph Mullings
DEI & Belonging Manager
ISS Guckenheimer
Joseph joined ISS in 2015 in the UK, where he not only worked with a hugely successful sales team but delivered a marquee community intervention program which gained national press coverage. Since joining the U.S. division in 2017, he progressed from sales into Corporate Social Responsibility and in this role developed a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club, initiated and grew the partnership with English at Work, and supported the development of the industry’s first curriculum for Facility Managers. He is the current Chair of the Global ERG for Culture, Race, and Ethnicity at ISS. Prior to ISS, Joseph held positions at a UK-based facility management company, and two “into-work” programs, one supporting ex-offenders and the other supporting immigrants and refugees with language skills and employment. Joseph holds a bachelor’s degree in English & Sociology from Kingston University.
Ennis Olson
Global Innovation Lead, Food Program
Google
Ennis is an experienced innovation, strategy and product development leader across food, tech and the financial services industries. He is also a designer and entrepreneur who designed a reusable grocery tote sold in 1500+ US stores and co-founded the award-winning international snack brand, Laiki Rice Crackers. Ennis earned his MBA from UC Berkeley Haas where he has lectured in innovation and product development in the undergrad, MBA and UC Berkeley Haas Center for Executive Education programs. Ennis was also diagnosed with Autism and ADHD (AuDHD) later-in-life; a revelation that has both explained and reshaped his life and career.
Mayda Perez
Co-Founder and Executive VP
FOH
Mayda Perez has a creative background in fine arts, which has led her to spearhead several successful businesses in the foodservice and hospitality industry. After spending several years with the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York, she joined Studiolido, a cutting-edge architectural design firm in Miami, as Partner. During her tenure, Mayda primarily managed the growth of their business, through restaurant openings and renovations where unique items were specified and custom made. Additionally, she worked with her partner, Simone Mayer, in growing real.life.basic®, Simone’s kitchen/home accessory retail business, and with whom she co-founded of FOH®.
Mayda is committed to various philanthropic efforts and served on the board for Equality Florida, the state's largest organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. She currently leads FOH’s Corporate Social Responsibility Program, From Our Hearts®.