Sodexo Named as One of the Top Companies for Executive Women

GAITHERSBURG, Md., March 5, 2019 /3BL Media/ — Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company committed to Quality of Life, announced today that the company has been named one of the 2019 NAFE Top Companies for Executive Women by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE). This list, by NAFE and Working Mother, recognizes organizations where there is a strong focus on best practices that demonstrate effectiveness in moving women to senior ranks, including mentoring, sponsorship, involvement in employee-resource groups and leadership-development training. The list also highlights company benefits, including flexibility, corporate culture and CEO involvement in advancing women.

“Advocating for the advancement of women in the workplace is a foundational element of our business and culture at Sodexo,” said Rohini Anand, Senior Vice President Corporate Responsibility and Global Chief Diversity Officer, Sodexo. “Through our Better Tomorrow 2025 strategy, we’re getting closer to reaching our goal of having 40 percent women in senior leadership positions at Sodexo. So far, women hold 33 percent of these positions, a number that is continuing to grow .”

Sodexo’s focus on supporting and advancing women is reflected in the company’s programs and initiatives including Sodexo’s Employee Business Resource Group, SoTogether. The mission of SoTogether is to foster a culture where enhancing women’s individual and professional growth contributes to the company’s global success and the communities Sodexo serves. In connection with SoTogether is Sodexo’s SHEWorks, a program – launching March 8, 2019 -- promoting gender balance and inclusion through shadowing. Working in tandem with community organizations, Sodexo will identify women in the community interested in Sodexo’s business and job opportunities and pair them with Sodexo employees.

Sodexo is consistently recognized for the organization’s commitment and work in the diversity and inclusion space. In January, Sodexo was recognized on Bloomberg’s 2019 Gender Equality Index and FORTUNE’S 2019 list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. In 2018, Sodexo was ranked in the top 10 of DiversityInc magazine's 'Top 50 Companies for Diversity' list for the 9th consecutive year and inducted into DiversityInc’s Top 50 Hall of Fame.

The 2019 NAFE Top 70 Companies application includes more than 200 questions on topics including female representation at all levels, but especially the corporate officer and profit-and-loss leadership ranks. The application tracks and examines how many employees have access to programs and policies that promote advancement of women and how many employees take advantage of them, plus how companies train managers to help women advance. To be considered, companies must have a minimum of two women on their boards of directors, a U.S.-based CEO, and at least 1,000 U.S. employees.

ABOUT NAFE 

The National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), founded in 1972, serves members with networking, tools, and solutions to strengthen and grow their careers and businesses. Working Mother magazine publishes the annual NAFE Top Companies list. NAFE.com provides up-to-date information, a community for women in business, and access to member benefits. NAFE is a division of Working Mother Media, owned by Bonnier Corporation. 

About Sodexo North America

Sodexo North America is part of a global, Fortune 500 company with a presence in 72 countries. Sodexo is a leading provider of integrated food, facilities management and other services that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life for millions of customers in corporate, education, healthcare, senior living, sports and leisure, government and other environments daily. The company employs 160,000 people at 13,000 sites in all 50 U.S. states and Canada, and indirectly supports tens of thousands of additional jobs through its annual purchases of $19 billion in goods and services from small to large businesses. Sodexo is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion and safety, while upholding the highest standards of corporate responsibility and ethical business conduct. In support of local communities across the U.S., in 2018, Sodexo contributed over 159,500 in volunteer hours, and since 1996, the Stop Hunger Foundation has contributed nearly $34.5 million to help feed children in America impacted by hunger. To learn more about Sodexo, visit SodexoUSA.com, SodexoInsights.com and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.