WTWH Media, LLC, has announced that Berk Enterprises, Inc. will be the Founding Sponsor of the Women in Restaurant Leadership: Together Summit, hosted by QSR and FSR. The event will take place February 28–29, 2024, at the Virgin Hotels Nashville.
“WiRL” is a groundbreaking platform created by FSR and QSR to address the gender disparities in restaurant leadership. The mission is to elevate, educate, and empower women across all ranks of the industry. The Together Summit, the capstone event, aims to bring women together for a day of workshops, learning, and engagement.
“As a company deeply rooted in foodservice, Berk Enterprises is proud to be the founding sponsor of this event,” says Reilly Berk, CEO of Berk Enterprises. “We recognize the importance of investing in women in the restaurant industry, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead and honored to be a part of such a dynamic and forward-thinking community.”
The agenda kicks off with “The Women of Whataburger,” a keynote that takes the audience behind the scenes of one of the country’s most iconic restaurant chains, and a brand that’s CFO, COO, CPO, and CLO are all women. In this engaging talk, you’ll learn how it happened, the opportunities it’s created, and the challenges/stories of these women. And bring your questions. With insights from Janelle Sykes, Executive Vice President and CFO; Debbie Stroud, Executive Vice President and COO; Peggy Rubenzer, Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer; Elena Kraus, Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer; and moderated by Kelly McCutcheon, Group Director of Training & Development.
This WiRL event will also feature insightful sessions led by industry experts, including:
- Executive recruiter advice on climbing the ladder, by Helen Lao, CEO and Founder of ClearPath
- GLEAM Network insights on finding and becoming mentors, by Sheri Miksa, Board Member/Mentor Programs Exec Leader, GLEAM Network
- CHART leaders sharing best practices for success
- ESG leaders discussing career elevation through giving back, by Jen Hidinger-Kendrick Founder of Giving Kitchen; Liz Scott, Co-Executive Director of Alex’s Lemonade Stand; and Shelia Bennett, Executive Director of CORE
- WORTH team guidance on navigating events and overcoming biases, by Cristal Ghitman Director of Strategic Partnerships of SynergySuite; Lauren Selman VP of Operations of IFBTA; and Tammy K. Billings, Strategic Technology Advisor
- Influencers offering tips on building your personal brand online, by Lena Katz Creator-Integrated Services of Ampersand
- And a chance to quiz the board of 30-plus female executives from across the industry
“We are thrilled to welcome Berk Enterprises as the Founding Sponsor of this event,” says Danny Klein, editorial director of QSR and FSR. “Berk’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the industry, as well as its history as a legacy company that leads with family values, aligns perfectly with what we’re hoping to accomplish. Together, we’ll help drive progress and innovation, while fostering a community that supports one another, at all levels.”
For full agenda and speaker rosters, as well as registration information, visit the event website at WomenLeadRestaurants.com.
Contact: Danny Klein
919-945-0726 | dklein@wtwhmedia.com
Sponsorship Contact
For information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Amber Dobsovic at adobsovic@wtwhmedia.com or 216-280-0782.
About QSR
QSR delivers timely and in-depth reporting on the $350 billion quick-service restaurant industry. For 25 years, QSR has defined this market, which includes traditional fast food, fast casual, coffee, snacks, concessions, and related segments of the foodservice industry.
About FSR
FSR informs, connects, and enriches the $300 billion full-service restaurant industry, which includes independent restaurants; national, regional, and emerging restaurant chains; and multi-concept hospitality groups.
About Berk Enterprises, Inc.
Berk Enterprises, Inc. maintains an impressive catalog of over 4,000 foodservice disposables such as plastic cutlery, straws, cups, to-go containers, and more. The company has secured its presence as a supplier to the nation’s largest foodservice distributors and has multiple distribution centers across the country. Berk’s diverse product range finds its way into prominent establishments such as national chains, educational institutions, entertainment venues like theaters and stadiums, and fairs.
Guided by familial dedication, Reilly Berk, granddaughter of the company’s founder, now serves as the CEO, while her father, Rob Berk serves as President. Berk Enterprises continues to shape the industry with its legacy, values, and expanding product offerings.
WTWH Media is an award-winning, digital-first B2B media and marketing company that connects brand marketers with targeted, hard-to-reach audiences of executives and practitioners. The Company serves seven core industry verticals including design engineering, robotics, life sciences, renewable energy, food service, convenience retail, and clubs & resorts. For more information on WTWH, please visit https://www.wtwhmedia.com.
