FEATURE ARTICLE: Women in Foodservice - Feb/Mar 2025

Women in Foodservice: Stories of Passion and Perseverance

Fact: Over the past two decades, the presence of women in the foodservice industry has grown significantly.

When I first joined the foodservice industry in 2002, it was rare to see women at conferences and meetings. Today, it's heartening to witness a growing number of women participating in industry events and occupying leadership roles. Our industry has made remarkable progress in attracting and empowering women to thrive, succeed, and lead.

In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8th, I spoke with several women that represent various channels of the foodservice industry to learn about their journeys and gather their advice for future generations.

These inspiring women—Erica Monaghan, Marcy Mathews, Karen Malody, Gina Brinegar, Jenn Ward, and Melisa Marks—embody empathetic leadership, dedication, passion, and a commitment to adding value. They also offer invaluable advice for aspiring professionals.

Let's delve into their journeys! 

Erica Monaghan: Women Leading the Way in Foodservice
4 Star Reps Inc. - Principal 

Erica Monaghan's career progression in the foodservice industry showcases her passion and resilience. Starting from bussing tables and working in restaurants, she quickly moved into street sales, selling frozen desserts. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-own two pizzerias in her early 20s. After a break to raise her children, Erica joined an equipment dealer, which eventually led her to 4 Star Reps. Over nine years, she honed her skills and took over the business in 2021 from Karen Higgins.

Erica advises young professionals to "find strong industry mentors and stay open to their advice. Don’t hesitate to bounce ideas off of them—those gut checks can be incredibly helpful early in your career. Also, if you bring real value to a conversation (not just fill a seat), you deserve a seat at the table. Let it be known that you want to contribute meaningfully. Look for ways to genuinely support more senior professionals; it’s a great way to gain exposure to the work you aspire to do."

In a male-dominated industry, Erica takes pride in employing many women at 4 Star Reps and highlighting traits that often come naturally to female professionals. "Many of my female colleagues are highly detail-oriented, excellent multitaskers (often busy moms), and bring a strong sense of empathy to customer relationships," she notes.

Erica chooses not to focus on gender-related adversity, stating, "If I encounter it, I do my best to ignore it—it will only shift the spotlight away from my work and abilities." Her journey is a powerful example of how women can thrive in the foodservice industry.


Marcy Mathews: Dedication and Growth at Delfield
Delfield – President (Manufacturing)

Marcy Mathews was first introduced to the foodservice industry from the operator side. She started her career with Darden in 2002 with a degree in Hospitality and Management. One of the takeaways from her experience at Darden was their best-in-class service training that set managers up for success.

With family commitments taking her back home to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, she ended up with an opportunity in Customer Service at Delfield. Marcy quickly moved from customer service into sales engineering and continued to pave her path through various roles (Customer Service, Sales Engineering, Product Management, Sales, Sr. VP, and President). “I never stayed in one direct lane; I was constantly learning other pieces of the business.” Fast forward, with a lot of dedication and commitment, Marcy is now the President of Delfield, “I have been blessed to work with a lot of great leaders – I have been surrounded by people who believe the best person wins.” 

When asked what advice she would give to the next generation, she said, “Show up, and if you want to do another job, start doing it before it’s a thing. Continue to strive to add value to your company and your customers. Do things with a lot of humility and give credit to your teams.” To the next generation of foodservice industry professionals, she advises, “It is a relationship industry; get involved, grow your network, it’s important.” And one way to get involved is Women in Leadership (WIL), an organization formed three years ago to help women grow and have good representation in leadership positions. It is an inclusive group – everyone is invited, all events are free, and there are plenty of great people who want to help or mentor others.

Karen Malody: Authenticity and Expertise in Culinary Consultancy
Culinary Options Foodservice Consultancy - Founder and Principal (MAS Consultant)

Karen Malody, a seasoned MAS Consultant, shared insights into her work at a past MAFSI conference, explaining her role in menu development and how service ware impacts portion sizing and ultimate menu pricing. 

Karen’s career trajectory includes positions such as Cooking School Owner, Director of Menu Development, VP of Food & Beverage & Product Development, and Food, Beverage & Menu Development Director for Starbucks. Eventually, she established her own consulting business, focusing on visioning, concept creation & menu development.

Reflecting on her career, Karen emphasized the importance of authenticity and expertise. "Being a woman has never been a primary focus for me. I believe in bringing my A-game, working hard, and valuing my knowledge and attitude. “Integrity speaks for itself," she stated.

When Karen joined FCSI, she felt like a fish out of water—young and not from a big firm. She decided to volunteer, join committees, and make herself known. Today, the number of female FCSI members has significantly increased, with many women becoming major owners and partners in firms. Karen noted that being a female consultant offers advantages in dealing with customers, thanks to a softer and more appreciative approach.

Passionate about mentoring, Karen advises future generations to build relationships with experienced professionals. "Reaching out and talking to people in the industry is far more powerful than just gathering information online. If you ever need advice or have questions, please reach out to me," she encouraged.


Gina Brinegar: Leading Webb Foodservice Design to New Heights
Webb Design, Managing Principal (Consultant) 

Gina Brinegar, Managing Principal at Webb Foodservice Design, has foodservice in her blood. Growing up in a family of restaurant owners and being half Italian, she was always surrounded by the industry. After earning a degree in marketing, Brinegar and her mother ran a bookkeeping service, where they met Jim Webb of Webb Foodservice Design. Her career evolved from there, eventually becoming Jim's right-hand person. When Jim passed away, Brinegar took over the firm, facing the challenge of proving herself and ensuring people knew who she was.

Gina and Costel Coca, Principals at Webb Design, have focused on growing Webb Design, maintaining its strong brand recognition while shifting to a more collaborative culture. Today, Webb Design is an EOS firm, focusing heavily on culture and teamwork. Under Gina and Costel’s leadership, the firm has doubled in size over the past 14 years, with 28 team members across California, Mexico, Washington, Arizona, Las Vegas, and Texas.

At last year's MAFSI conference, Gina's passion for the foodservice industry shone through as she shared her expertise with members. She believes that success in the industry demands patience, extensive knowledge, and time. Gina advises aspiring consultants to seek out mentors, network extensively, and commit to continuous learning. She also emphasizes the importance of finding a culture that aligns with their values and goals.


Jenn Ward: Championing Women in Foodservice
Atosa - Chief Revenue Officer (Manufacturer)
Women in Leadership – Founder

Jenn Ward, Chief Revenue Officer at Atosa and founder of Women in Leadership (WIL), is known for her no-nonsense, passionate, and driven approach. Her career in the foodservice industry began in 1990 with an admin role at Cleveland Range. She quickly advanced to national support and national accounts manager roles. Jenn then transitioned to the rep side of the business, working with WB Marketing and Zink Marketing, before re-entering manufacturing with Beverage Air. 

Today, she thrives as the Chief Revenue Officer for Atosa, where she is dedicated to creating processes that protect brick-and-mortar dealers. One of her notable achievements was collaborating with Atosa to implement the first UMRP policy in the foodservice industry—a policy that not only safeguards the Atosa brand but also enhances dealer profitability.

Jenn's motto, "Do what you say and say what you do," reflects her commitment to integrity and excellence. Inspired by her own early challenges and the example of Louise O'Sullivan, then-president of Groen, she founded WIL to support and encourage women in the foodservice industry. WIL empowers, educates, and supports women, hosting free events open to all. Their recent event at NAFEM saw 250 registrants. For more information contact info@womenindustyleaders.org. 


Melisa Marks: Bridging Foodservice and Energy Efficiency
The Culinary Advisor - Owner

Melisa Marks, who retired from SoCalGas in 2022 after 26 years, is now a consultant in the foodservice and culinary arena. She began her career at Hunt Wesson, working on recipe development and new product introductions. Her background in Nutrition and Food Science from CSU Long Beach provided a solid foundation for her role as Manager of Customer Program Operations and Food Services Equipment at SoCalGas.

"Perseverance and a continuous drive for your passion—whether for your job, customers, or the industry—propels you forward, regardless of gender." As the only woman on the management team in energy efficiency, Melisa felt that being in foodservice posed a bigger challenge due to the numerous programs and initiatives SoCalGas was focused on.

Melisa recalls the early days at trade shows where women were few and had to fit into a predominantly male environment. Today, she is proud to see women like herself recognized at SoCalGas, with three women in leadership positions, including a woman president. Her advice for future generations is, "Listen to the customers, stand back, you don’t always have to share your opinions immediately. Form your thoughts by hearing what the customer is telling you and then see how you can help."

My conversations with Erica, Marcy, Gina, Jennifer, Karen, and Melisa were truly inspiring. I wish I had more time to connect with even more remarkable women in foodservice. 

As we celebrate their achievements, it's crucial to acknowledge the ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive and supportive industry. By creating an environment where women can excel and lead, we honor their contributions and pave the way for future generations. Let's continue to champion diversity and empower everyone to reach their full potential in the foodservice industry. It is sincerely a great industry to be a part of.