Maggie DeCan, president and chief operating officer, The HoneyBaked Ham Company, was honored with a 2015 Most Powerful and Influential Woman Award by The National Diversity Council at its Annual Leadership Conference at the Midtown Crown Plaza in Atlanta. She also gave the keynote address on the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership, and the benefits of a values-driven work culture.
The Most Powerful & Influential Woman and Multicultural Leadership Awards were presented to women and men who have made a difference through their leadership, achievements, and ability to excel in their field. This included generating results, impacting revenue and profitability, affecting the direction of their organization, and making a difference in their community. Executives from SunTrust Bank, The HoneyBaked Ham Company, The Coca-Cola Company, Bank of America, The Home Depot, Georgia Pacific, Cap Gemini, NCR Corporation, Graphic Packaging International, Popeye’s, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, were honored at the conference that included more than 250 attendees.
As president of one of America’s most beloved specialty food retailers and brands, DeCan is responsible for nearly $500 million in system sales in over 400 franchise and company owned locations nationwide, including eCommerce. Under DeCan’s leadership, HoneyBaked has grown sales and profitability for all lines of its business and she recently guided the company through a consolidation of all U.S. operations within a new, Atlanta-area national headquarters.
Prior to leading operations beginning in 2009, DeCan served as the chief human resource officer for HoneyBaked and before that served in operational and human resource roles for Macy’s, Belk, and Circuit City. DeCan is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
“I was honored to be named among Georgia’s Women of Power and Influence, and privileged to have the opportunity to address the conference,” says Maggie DeCan. “I enjoyed relating the lessons I have learned on my path to leadership; simple keys like sharing your story and being yourself. Plus, I always love to talk about our team at HoneyBaked and what a competitive advantage it is to have a workplace culture that provide all associates with opportunities to contribute and grow.”
DeCan was a finalist for the 2014 Turknett Character in Leadership Award, presented by the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. She has spoken across the state of Georgia and nationally about practicing authenticity in leadership, issues unique to women in business leadership, and values-driven business practices. DeCan’s influence extends to her community, and in 2009, she was presented with the acclaimed Visionary Award by the Georgia PTA for her legislative involvement and community awareness initiatives. She is chairman emeritus for RNEEF, a 501(c)(3) organization she founded which has raised more than $500,000 to support technology for a local public elementary school. She also currently serves on the advisory board of the Children’s Restoration Network.
“Maggie is a consummate professional and a woman of strong character and integrity,” says Dave Keil, chief executive officer of The Honey Baked Ham Company. “She is everything the award represents. We’re privileged to have her leadership at HoneyBaked, and we’re honored to know her.”
