Border Foods’ EmpowHER women’s initiative celebrates its third year with another round of impactful programming ahead. We kicked things off with a full-day workshop at Rush Creek Golf Course focused on confidence, courageous conversations and self advocacy.
EmpowHER is about inspiring women to grow and connect.
-Teri Staggemeyer, VP of Finance/Accounting, EmpowHER Co-founder
Perhaps the biggest indicator that our women are embracing EmpowHER is that we’ve outgrown our meeting space and had to move off site! Sixty incredible women from around Border Foods participated in this workshop – doubling attendance from the group’s launch in 2024. New this year, we brought General Managers (GMs) and Market Training Managers (MTMs) into the attendee mix.
First-time attendee and Payroll Specialist Kyra Hennek says of her experience, “I love getting to listen to people who have been in the industry for a long time, who were pioneers in terms of female leadership. A lot of their stories are really inspirational — it inspires confidence as I move forward in my own career.”
On HER Agenda
Our day began with discussions about understanding our impact on others. Next, VP of Finance & Accounting Teri Staggemeyer and HR Business Partner Corrine Kindred presented on “borrowed courage” versus “owned courage,” and the power of our voices.
Corrine then passed the mic to guest speaker Jini Foust – Chief Operating Officer of Team Lyders (another leading Taco Bell franchisee) – who provided an engaging account of her lengthy career in QSR, which started with a role as McDonald’s first drive-thru cashier in Montana and continued very successfully (and dramatically – she moved eight times for Taco Bell!) for going on three decades.
It’s not easy to be in this world as a woman.
– Jini Foust, Team Lyders COO
Jini spoke eloquently on her own leadership journey, women’s impact and influence, and the importance of advocating for ourselves in the workplace. Her top tips for female success are:
- Establish credibility;
- Be great at what you do;
- Become a subject matter expert;
- Have the tough conversations – they lead to change;
- Speak up for yourself; and
- Don’t assume people know you want to advance, you’ve got to tell them!
Next, Business Coach Carolien Moors turned up the volume, inspiring all our women to yell collectively, “My voice and actions matter!” She introduced a small group activity focused around topics like taking more initiative, speaking up and adopting small behaviors to increase personal influence in the workplace. Finally, the group was encouraged to develop their own impact plans.
Overall, it was a powerful day to inspiHER! Rising attendance and engagement are only fuel for this brilliant fire. Area Coach Amanda Hobbs reinforces why EmpowHER is making such an enormous impact. “Border Foods’ understanding that women are a core part of the company makes me feel seen … and heard,” she says. That’s why we’re going to keep doing what we’re doing!
