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WFF APPOINTS LEADING FOODSERVICE INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE KELLI VALADE PRESIDENT & CEO

Kelli Valade will lead the Women’s Foodservice Forum to enhance leadership development and talent pipelines in the industry, serving professionals nationwide since 1989.

  • In February, Kelli Valade will assume leadership of Women's Foodservice Forum, succeeding Therese Gearhart who announced her retirement last year after an extensive search.
  • A seasoned executive, Kelli Valade brings leadership experience from major chains and analytics firms, having recently served as CEO of Denny's Corp. and formerly led Red Lobster and Black Box Intelligence.
  • WFF Board Chair Dawn Rasmussen endorsed the appointment, saying Valade is uniquely qualified while Valade called leading WFF an honor tied to her journey.
  • Valade will lead WFF professional staff and collaborate with industry leaders and partner companies as foodservice companies invest in leadership pipelines.
  • Since 1989, Women's Foodservice Forum has provided research, insights and development programs that strengthen talent pipelines and improve workplace performance across operators, manufacturers, distributors and allied partners.
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18 Articles

restaurantdive.comrestaurantdive.com
Center

Denny’s CEO Kelli Valade departs

Valade will leave the chain, which was just sold to a group of private investors, after five years to become the CEO of nonprofit WFF in February.

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Mason City Globe GazetteMason City Globe Gazette
+14 Reposted by 14 other sources
Center

WFF APPOINTS LEADING FOODSERVICE INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE KELLI VALADE PRESIDENT & CEO

Seasoned CEO to lead nonprofit in developing next generation of industry leaders

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Perishable NewsPerishable News

Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) Appoints Leading Industry Executive Kelli Valade President & CEO

Seasoned CEO to lead nonprofit in developing next generation of industry leaders DALLAS — WFF, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to developing and advancing leaders in the foodservice industry, announced that following an extensive search, Kelli Valade has been selected as the organization’s new President and CEO. Valade will assume leadership of WFF in February, succeeding Therese Gearhart, who announced her plans to retire last year.…

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nrn.comnrn.com

Kelli Valade named CEO of Women’s Foodservice Forum

The industry veteran succeeds Therese Gearhart, who has served in the role since 2019 and is retiring

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nrn.com broke the news in on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
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