Highlighting great leadership and strengthening networks are two of the critical ways IFMA drives the food-away-from-home industry forward. These dovetailed in a recent meeting of the IFMA Next Gen Execs – a professional development program for future executive leaders that provides opportunities for visibility and thought leadership as well as access to senior leaders in the community, including the IFMA Gold & Silver Plate Society.
Sharon Eliatamby – Gold & Silver Plate Society member, 2023 IFMA Silver Plate winner, and seasoned professional with over 25 years of well-developed knowledge in the hospitality industry – imparted valuable leadership insights to the cohort. Sharon serves as the Senior Project Manager in charge of Food and Catering services at the World Bank's offices in Washington, DC, and Paris. The World Bank, with its headquarters in Washington, is an international organization that encompasses over 180 member countries, each with its own unique culture.
As a manager, Sharon shared tips with the cohort on successfully engaging her team through things like impromptu huddles – providing more informal spaces than meeting rooms for discussion means “decisions are made faster.” She also encouraged leaders to delegate, trust their colleagues, and thoughtfully pair them with clients to set everyone up for success. Continuous learning was also emphasized, with Sharon noting how important it is to drive team members to seek out resources and tools – “I send my team things like IFMA webinars all the time.”
In terms of individual professional growth, Sharon advised the group to invest in themselves – “get something like executive coaching; it’s not a bad thing! You might get some tough love, but it will help you move forward.” She also shared how her return to World Bank after working elsewhere could have been a roadblock if she had let it: “don’t get fixated on job titles. Focus on the job description, because titles can be so varied.” Sharon knew she could have a strong impact, no matter the title of the position – and her Silver Plate Award proves just that!
Also discussed was the importance of peer groups and involvement in industry work. An engaged member of IFMA’s Business & Industry Foodservice Leadership Council as well as other organizations, Sharon noted that “80% is just showing up! Take the leap and get involved with peer groups to have a seat at the table…. This allows you to contribute to and shape the future of the industry, driving positive change.”
Mentorship was also a big topic for the meeting. When asked by a Next Gen Exec how to get the most out of a mentor discussion, Sharon shared that mentors’ time is precious, so it’s critical to be thoughtful. “Maybe the first meeting is more of a time to share, but subsequent meetings should be intentional. Set goals, even small ones, that are achievable during those meetings that your mentor can help you with.” Next Gen Execs serve as mentors to others as well. When asked how to prioritize your time when being asked to be someone’s mentor, Sharon noted that “it’s better to have one good mentorship relationship than multiple that are being neglected.” To ensure the relationship will be successful, she encouraged the cohort to “review their background to ensure it will be an effective fit or recommend someone else. If it is a good fit, schedule a monthly call so the time is already blocked out and both parties can plan for a focused conversation.”
When asked to provide advice to the group to elevate their career journey, Sharon said: “1. Always be willing to take a risk; 2. Continue learning; 3. Stay true to your values and be unapologetically you.”
IFMA values bringing communities like Gold & Silver Plate Society members and Next Gen Execs together for learning opportunities. As a program, Next Gen Execs strives to connect participants with leaders from across the food-away-from-home ecosystem.
Get the details, including how to nominate a candidate for the 2025 Next Gen Execs cohort.
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