Well, hello there SHFM. Nothing like waking up to frost on the ground in mid-November to remind me that I’m not in Palm Springs anymore! Somehow it’s been eight-ish weeks since National Conference, and I hope wherever this letter finds you, frost or sunshine, it finds you healthy, happy and looking ahead to the holiday season. I also hope that means time with family and friends, rest and reflection are in your future. And reflection is exactly how I’ll start this letter…

Two months ago, give our take a couple days, I became the 47th President of SHFM. If you’re reading this but were unable to join us in Palm Springs, here is the recap: we missed you and it was amazing. The vibes of this conference, the continuity of content across the agenda, “crazy Kyle”, the “work” (pool) break, raising $40,000 for Food Now, honoring exceptional award recipients and yes, water going up my sinuses in the dunk tank, made for such a memorable, successful and record-breaking conference! I consider it both a gift and a major responsibility to continue matching the great energy we left Palm Springs with throughout this upcoming year.

Since the desert, all our committees have begun meeting, setting their goals and meeting cadence for the year ahead. We have looked at the structure of committees and made slight adjustments to safeguard people’s time commitments and prioritize initiatives that add the most value to our members. I’m very grateful for the dedication and diversity of all our volunteers, and especially want to highlight that our leaders represent all membership types of SHFM, a critical advantage to delivering outcomes that serve all of SHFM:

2025-2026 Committee Leads

Membership: Corey Stary (Kahawa 1893, SHFM Rising Star)

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: Anthony Salazar “Sal” (Guckenheimer, SHFM Rising Star)

Locals: Teryl Thurman (Vivreau) and Amy Lewis (Kitchens to Go by Mobile Modular)

Branding: Sharon Eliatamby (World Bank Group, SHFM Past President)

Strategic Initiatives: David Gaughan (Sodexo) and Joanna Dissin (JLL)

Rising Stars: Lauren Beckwith (Guckenheimer)

Industry Advisory Board: Jeanine Cosgrove-Albert (AYS Staffing)

Over the past month, and across the country, we have had three SHFM locals set to different backdrops of a City Club (Charlotte), client space (Zoox, NorCal), and a University (MSU Denver). Locals are truly the best way to stay connected to the SHFM community outside of our flagship events. Please attend where it makes sense to your agenda…and new this year, workplace clients attend at no charge!

Just this past Monday, the SHFM Foundation, through the indelible leadership of Amy Franks (JLL), held their 4th annual Foundation Gala in New York City. Chef Michael Lomonaco created the delicious, hearty four-course menu executed by our very own SHFM Culinary Rising Stars. A sincere congratulations and thank you to Chef Henry Hamilton (Guckenheimer), Chef Andy Leonard (Sodexo), Chef Kory Dillon (LifeWorks Restaurant Group), and pinch hitter Culinary Rising Star Chef Garrick Hisamoto (Sodexo) on their brilliant execution. The Gala is the largest fundraising opportunity of the year for the Foundation, whose mission is to educate and amplify the voices of the next generation of workplace hospitality talent, be it students or members of our military transitioning to civilian careers. The Gala does not happen without the energy and efforts of so many, especially Foundation Board member Joe Esteves, and the entire Sodexo team at Inside Park at St. Barts. If you have yet to attend, I encourage you to try; it is the most special evening and highlights the incredible generosity of our SHFM community.

Following the Gala, our Critical Issues Conference planning committee, led by Amy Lewis, met in-person to start building on themes the group had virtually discussed. Without revealing too much, I can guarantee this group is considering every attendee’s experience and pushing the boundaries on how we structure a memorable and meaningful event that addresses a critical industry issue. When we have a date and location, I promise you all will be the first to know. If you are still reading this, and want to host us, reach out…

Onto three things that do have a date and a location… Our SHFM holiday party is Tuesday, December 16th at Bank of America. Please join us as we celebrate the most magical time of year in New York City. Next, back for its third year, our immensely popular WISE (Women, Inspiration, Support, Excellence) Experience is taking on Boston March 18th and 19th! St. Patrick’s Day in Beantown with your SHFM girls – yes, please! Lastly, the final event of my ‘presidential’ year will take place October 6th-8th in my “sweet home” of Chicago set to the iconic backdrop of the Palmer House Hilton. Chicago native, Jessica Zucker (Eurest), along with a heavy-hitting hometown team have already accepted the challenge of making this the best SHFM conference yet, in the most requested city year over year. Game on!

When Immediate Past President, Shayne Varnum, passed the gavel to me, I spoke about wanting to accomplish a few key things this year, and that it was time SHFM evolved with the shifting landscape of the industry we all support. While it’s true that the client profile has changed, responsibilities have expanded (food and beyond), decision-makers are not always immediately identifiable, and we’re all constantly asked to ‘do more with less’, you know what hasn’t changed – the dire need for hospitality in the workplace. AI will influence it, but it won’t replace it; cost pressures will challenge it, but it can’t take it away. And you, our members and the SHFM ecosystem of influence will continue to shape the future of exceptional spaces, moments, programs and experiences. My commitment to SHFM remains: I will continue to push to get the right people in the rooms where our members come to learn, connect, grow and be inspired. And I will do everything I can to give a voice to those willing to share theirs (SHFM Speaker & Writers Bureau just launched). Lastly, let’s have fun and spread joy.

I remain humbled by this opportunity to lead SHFM, and grateful to you all for entrusting me. Enjoy the holidays, and I hope to see you very soon.

All my best, all the time,

Jenna Calhoun

SHFM President